Ministers from this Department represent the UK at the regular meetings of EU Education and Youth Councils, and at informal meetings of EU Education Ministers.
In 2009, the Under-Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families, my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, North (Sarah McCarthy-Fry) attended Youth Council on 16 February. I attended an informal meeting of EU Education Ministers in Prague on 22-23 March, at which we discussed a Czech presidency paper about the role of education for recovery and long term development; and the issue of fostering stronger links between education institutions and employers.
I also attended EU Education and Youth Council in Brussels on 11-12 May which discussed the future EU Youth Co-operation Framework. We also agreed conclusions on improving partnerships between educational institutions and employers; and on a new strategic framework for co-operation between member states in education and training in Europe in the period up to 2020.