A Memorandum on Lifelong Learning

1. A Memorandum on Lifelong Learning

2. Why have a memorandum? • Lisbon and Feira • Defining Lifelong Learning • Making LLL a guiding principle • Member State responsibility • Commission Report 2001

3. The structure of the Memorandum • Section 2 - Promoting active citizenship and employability • Section 3 - A new approach to education and training • Section 4 - A framework for debate - the 6 key messages • Section 5 - Mobilising resources for lifelong learning

4. Lifelong Learning - Time for Action Why is the debate so urgent? • Knowledge-based society and economy - increasing skills gaps and mismatches • Changing production, trade and investment patterns • A complex social and political world • Promoting active citizenship • Promoting employability

5. Developments to date • 1996 European Year of Lifelong Learning • Community education, training and youth programmes • Luxembourg process • Lisbon and Feira conclusions • G8 Cologne Charter • OECD

6. Defining Lifelong Learning “All-purposeful learning activity, undertaken on an ongoing basis with the aim of improvingknowledge, skills and competence” • Learning “from cradle to grave” • “Lifewide Learning” - non-formal and informal learning • Promotion of active citizenship, social inclusion and employability

7. Implementing Lifelong Learning • Integrated policies • Partnerships • Merging education and training structures

8. Six key messages • New basic skills • Investment in Human Resources • Innovation in teaching and learning • Valuing learning • Guidance and information • Bringing learning closer to home

9. Key message 1- New basic skills for all • The Lisbon conclusions - IT skills - Foreign languages - Technological culture - Entrepreneurship - Social skills • Learning how to learn • Renewal and updating of skills

10. Key message 2 - More Investment in Human Resources • Promoting transparency • Culture of shared responsibility • Individual incentives - learning accounts, subsidised study leave and rights to training opportunities • Role of Social Partners - Framework agreements - More flexible working arrangements

11. Key message 3 - Innovation in teaching and learning • User-oriented learning systems - new learner groups and new settings • Teaching methods and integrating ICT-based technology • Professional role of teachers and trainers • Educating and training practitioners

12. Key message 4 - Valuing learning • Meeting the demand for recognised learning • Increasing transparency • Raising the value of non-formal and informal learning by wider involvement of the relevant parties • Promotion of Accreditation of Prior and Experiential Learning (APEL)

13. Key message 5 - Guidance and information • Continuous and “holistic” provision • Local accessibility to networks of expertise • A proactive approach • “Brokerage” in the information labyrinth • Identifying opportunities in the EU area

14. Key message 6 - Bringing learning closer to home • The potential of ICT in reaching isolated localities • Lifelong learning as the driver for local and regional regeneration • Learning centres in everyday locations

15. Initiatives at European Level • Council report on Europe’s education systems • eLearning initiative • Database on Learning Opportunities • European CV • Action Plan for Mobility • Transparency of Qualifications • Action Plan to promote Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness (BEST)

16. Mobilising resources for Lifelong Learning • Action programmes - SOCRATES II, LEONARDO DA VINCI II, YOUTH • Employment guidelines and recommendations • Use of the European Structural Funds • Use of the Research Framework Programme

17. Consultation and Follow-up to the Memorandum • Consultation process in Member States between now and mid-2001, close to citizens and involving key actors • Collection and analysis of outcomes • Consultation of EP, ESC, Committee of the Regions and the Social Partners • Continued development of indicators and benchmarks, and identification of good practices

18. Autumn 2001 - Commission report on Lifelong Learning • Specific objectives • Concrete points for action • Benchmarks for implementing a lifelong learning strategy