International strategies of key importance to education and training

The EU Strategy - Education and Training 2020

On 12 May the Council of the European Union adopted a new strategic framework for co-operation between EU Member States to reform their education and training systems ('ET 2020'). The conclusions identify both immediate priorities for 2009-11 and long-term challenges for the decade ahead. The tools used to meet them include new education and training benchmarks for monitoring progress across Europe.

The new strategic vision and framework 'ET 2020' addresses four strategic objectives:
- Making lifelong learning and mobility a reality;
- Improving the quality and efficiency of education and training;
- Promoting equality, social cohesion and active citizenship;
- Enhancing creativity and innovation, including entrepreneurship, at all levels of eduaction and training.

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

Education for Sustaianble Development (ESD) comprises the social, ecological and economical dimesions, which are interlinked.

ESD supports five fundamental types of learning to provide quality education and foster sustainable human development:
* Learning to know; * Learning to be; * Learning to live together; * Learning to do; * Learning to transform oneself and society

1) The United Nations har proclaimed the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014), which promotes ESD and calls for education and training to make these issues a priority.

2) On 18-19 November 2010 the Council of the European Union adopted conclusions on Education for sustainable development (ESD). This decision will impact on all governments and educational systems in Europe.

The EU member states are asked to take appropriate measures at the relevant level of responsibility - local, regional or national – in order to encourage the further development and implementation of ESD and its integration into the education and training system at all levels, in non-formal and informal learning just as in formal learning.

In particular, these measures may include:
(a) Ensuring that policy, regulatory, institutional and operational frameworks support ESD;
(b) Equipping teachers, trainers, school staff and school leaders with the awareness, knowledge and competences required to promote and include the principles underlying ESD in their approaches to teaching.

The EU and the United Nations

The EU is the single largest financial contributor to the UN system. The 27 EU Member States fund 38% of the UN's regular budget, more than two-fifths of UN peacekeeping operations, and about one-half of all UN Member States' contributions to UN funds and programmes. The European Commission alone contributes more than $1.35 billion in support of UN external assistance programmes and projects.

The EU works with all UN bodies, agencies and programmes across virtually the entire range of UN activities, from development policy and peacebuilding to humanitarian assistance, environment, human rights, and culture.

As an observer within the UN, the EU has no vote as such but is party to more than 50 UN multilateral agreements and conventions as the only non-State participant. It has obtained a special "full participant" status in a number of important UN conferences.

2011 - the European Year of Volunteering

2011 has been designated the "European Year of Volunteering". This year is both a celebration and a challenge. It is a celebration of the commitment of millions of people in Europe who work in their communities during their free time without being paid – for example in schools, hospitals, and sports clubs, protecting the environment, providing social services and helping people in other countries. Their efforts and those of the many thousands of volunteering organisations make a huge difference to our lives in countless ways.

2012 to be the European Year for Active Ageing

The European Commission has on September 6, 2010 proposed that 2012 be designated as the "European Year for Active Ageing".

The initiative aims to help create better job opportunities and working conditions for the growing numbers of older people in Europe, help them take an active role in society and encourage healthy ageing. It comes as Europe's policymakers grapple with a steadily ageing population and its impacts on public services and finances. The European Parliament and Council are expected to endorse the initiative by the beginning of this year.

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