A Memorandum on Lifelong Learning

Why have a memorandum?

• Lisbon and Feira

• Defining Lifelong Learning

• Making LLL a guiding principle

• Member State responsibility

• Commission Report 2001

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

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

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

“All-purposeful learning activity, undertaken on an ongoing basis with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competence”

• Learning “from cradle to grave”

• “Lifewide Learning” - non-formal and informal learning

• Promotion of active citizenship, social inclusion and employability

Defining Lifelong Learning

Implementing Lifelong Learning

• Integrated policies

• Partnerships

• Merging education and training structures

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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)

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

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

Autumn 2001 - Commission report on Lifelong Learning

• Specific objectives

• Concrete points for action

• Benchmarks for implementing a lifelong learning strategy