Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council, 22-23/05/2018 - Main results - Main contents
Highlights of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 22 May 2018, in Brussels.
Live streaming
22 May, 2018
10:15 Public session
10:55 Public session
14:20 Press conference
15:30 Public session
23 May, 2018
10:35 Public session
14:30 Press conference
15:25 Public session
Estimated schedule
Main results
22 May 2018
Education
All EU citizens have the right to quality and inclusive education, training and lifelong learning in order to maintain and acquire skills that allow full participation in society and successful transitions in the labour market. The European Union can do a lot to help harness the full potential of education as a driver for job creation, economic growth and social fairness.
Krasimir Valchev, minister for education and science of the Republic of Bulgaria and president of the Council
The Council adopted a revised recommendation on key competences for lifelong learning, the aim of which is to update the current recommendation from 2006 and take account of changes such as digitisation and constantly evolving labour markets.
Recommendation on key competences for lifelong learning
The Council also adopted conclusions on promoting common values, inclusive education, and the European dimension of teaching, as well as conclusions on moving towards a European Education Area.
Council conclusions on moving towards a European Education Area
Ministers had the opportunity to discuss the potential of universities in promoting regional growth and entrepreneurial and innovative skills, focusing in particular on what measures and incentives politicians can introduce to develop the potential of higher education institutions, and on the role of smart specialisation strategies and synergies.
The Council was also informed about a series of important issues such as the role of education in addressing anti-Semitism, the European schools sport day, and the work programme of the incoming Austrian presidency.
Youth
After an informal lunch on how to reform the existing mechanisms for consulting young people, the so-called structured dialogue on youth, the Council adopted conclusions on the role of youth in building a secure, cohesive and harmonious society, as well as conclusions on the role of youth in addressing the demographic challenges.
The Council also discussed the future priorities of the EU youth policy in the presence of Mr. Hassan Al Hilou, Community Leader of the YouthTalks Foundation. The debate was intended to feed the debate on the revised European Youth Strategy. The new strategy sets out proposals to define a European cooperation framework for youth for the period 2019-24 and focuses, among other things, on the active participation of young people in democratic life in Europe.
Finally ministers were informed about a declaration on the prevention of violent radicalisation, the European Youth Together initiative, and the work programme of the incoming Austrian presidency.
Agenda highlights
23 May 2018
Culture
The Council will have a policy debate on a long-term vision for the contribution of culture to the EU after 2020.
Ministers are also due to adopt conclusions on the need of bringing cultural heritage to the fore across policies in the EU.
Directive amending VAT: cultural policy perspective, 4 May 2018
Sport
The working lunch will focus on sport, with ministers debating the topic "The future of club and national team competition" in the presence of EUFA president Mr Čeferin.
The Council will adopt conclusions on promoting the common values of the EU through sport, and hold a policy debate on the commercialisation of elite sports and the sustainability of the European model of sport.
Draft statement, creating a 'Europe of sport', 4 May 2018
Meeting information
Meeting n°3617
Brussels
22-23/05/2018
Preparatory documents
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