I represented the UK at Education Council, on behalf of DIUS and DCSF.
Ministers adopted conclusions on multilingualism, noting that the Commission would produce a policy framework on this issue in the autumn. Ministers also adopted conclusions on adult learning that set out specific measures to be undertaken in this area by the Commission and the member states between 2008 and 2010. The text of the conclusions is in line with UK national priorities.
The Council agreed a general approach on the European year of creativity and innovation in 2009. I stated that the UK supported the year but queried whether matched funding would be available for member states to undertake events as part of this initiative. The Commission confirmed that project funding would come from existing EU programmes. Ministers also discussed and adopted conclusions on promoting creativity and innovation through education and training. We strongly support these conclusions which note the importance of creativity and innovation for reaching Lisbon targets, and the need to develop innovative capacity in children from an early age.
The Presidency provided an update on the decision to extend the Erasmus Mundus programme beyond 2009. The European Parliament is currently discussing this dossier, and the French presidency will take this forward with a view to reaching a First Reading agreement in the autumn.
The Presidency noted the state of play between the Council and Parliament in the recast decision setting up the European training foundation. The Parliament has now rejected the Council’s position regarding the composition of the foundation’s governing board, so this dossier is likely to progress to a Second Reading.
The Commission presented its proposals for two recommendations in the area of European vocational education and training: a credit system; and a quality assurance reference framework. These two proposals have recently been the subject of explanatory memoranda from the Government and will be subject to discussion by officials, with the aim of Ministers reaching an agreement at the next Education Council in November.
The French Minister presented France’s presidency priorities in the field of education: lifelong learning; enhanced co-operation in European vocational education and training; and youth mobility.