Education

The Brief, powered by Goldman Sachs – Erasmus Fuss

UK students are set to lose access to the EU’s foreign exchange scheme, Erasmus+, in what will arguably be the biggest Brexit-perpetrated crime. Forget the economics of it, this is wrecking a whole generation’s prospects.

A European Education Alliance for the future of education

Two European lawmakers, Victor Negrescu and Eva Maydell, set out their plans for how a European Education Alliance can help advance education across the bloc.

An EU ‘Marshall Plan’ for training and education

In an open letter to EU leaders, civil society activists led by Raphaële Bidault-Waddington and, Marie-Hélène Caillol explain why an EU ‘Marshall’ Plan for training and education is need to avoid socio-economic collapse.

Entrepreneurial skills as a vital tool to empower young people in Europe

European Union as the leading power of innovation and technological progress is by all means a great idea. But what are we doing today to achieve this vision of tomorrow? I believe that in order to make the EU a competitive and resilient partner, we must invest in people and focus on education now more than ever, writes Martina Dlabajová.

Tackling EU child poverty through Child Guarantee

Based on figures from 2016, nearly 26.4% of children across the EU are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, poverty or social exclusion. But the EU has one potential policy development to deal with this worrying trend, write Joanna Hofman and Katie Stewart.

A place for children in the EU’s budget

Last week, the Commission announced a budget that ‘’protects, empowers and defends’’. But who exactly are we protecting empowering and defending? Not Europe’s children nor their counterparts in the developing world. Children are not even mentioned in this proposal.

Schools of tomorrow – building and transforming skills for a digital world

Europe’s bid to lead the digital and advanced technology trend will be lost if the EU and national governments don’t take steps to make skills development in digitisation their priority. Digital skills need to be conveyed at all levels and in all forms of education to ensure Europe’s global position, writes Martina Dlabajová.

Europe, pay your trainees!

Offering internships and traineeships to young people without real prospect of employment and adequate remuneration violates the original nature of these instruments, writes Brando Benifei.

Two years after the Brussels attacks, the terrorist threat remains very real

Returning foreign fighters, along with home-grown radicals, are heightening concerns that further attacks could be afoot. Dr. Demir Murat Seyrek and Amanda Paul argue there is room to beef-up security measures without creating a “police state” and maintaining respect for individual rights and liberties.

A European education area: How to make it work for Europe

In line with Emmanuel Macron's speech and discussions at the recent Social Summit in Gothenburg, let's puts education at the heart of a more social and prosperous Europe, argue Michael Gaebel and Thomas Jorgensen.

Tackling youth unemployment and the skills gap

EU and business leaders are very keen to address the high levels of youth unemployment and the emerging skills gap across Europe by offering young people opportunities to play an active role in the European economy, writes Stefan Crets.

We have to rethink what ‘educated’ means in a post-truth world

It used to be fairly easy to explain what it means to be educated: it involved schooling, and the more schooling you had, the better educated you became and the more opportunities you had. But things are now more complex, writes Stavros N. Yiannouka

Entrepreneurship education: Unused potential so far

In September 2015, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on promoting youth entrepreneurship. Nearly two years later, MEP Michaela Šojdrova is disappointed with the lack of progress made by the European Commission.

Kosovo needs a new beginning

In Kosovo, far too much time has been spent on issues like border demarcation. Delivering peace instead of war is one thing but that is not enough when young people want a good education and their parents want jobs, warns Kosovar politician Kadri Veseli.

March for Science: Is the basis of the knowledge society being eroded?

After years of sluggish advance, the house of world economics looks generally strong. However, those who ensure the knowledge base for growth, the scientists and researchers, face threats to their system, writes Thomas Jorgensen.

Not so wunderful: Germany’s fear of homeschooling

Home education is a right recognised by international human rights. And yet, Germany fails to honour these agreements, writes Alexandra Tompson.

How Erasmus+ could benefit refugees

The European Commission’s Erasmus+ mid-term review must consider how to harness the potential of the scheme in addressing Europe’s shifting realities. Providing grants to refugee students and academics is one way to start, writes Michael Gaebel.

Jobs and skills to cement democracy in post-Arab Spring Tunisia

Opportunity is the bedrock of a stable democracy. EU support for innovation and education in Tunisia will benefit the whole of North Africa, as well as the EU itself, write Imed Hammami and Pier Antonio Panzeri.

In it for the long run: Education as an immediate emergency priority

Refugees spend an average of 20 years away from their homes, in the “limbo” of temporary shelters with only basic provisions. Education is vital to building a sense of normality and ensuring these years are not wasted, writes Nicholas Rutherford.

An economy of, by and for the people

Europe’s economy has clearly seen better days. Facing great technological and societal change, it is marred by a sluggish recovery and a lack of investment, write Reinhard Bütikofer and Philippe Lamberts.