Lisbon’s strategy was aimed at converting the European Union into one of the main economies based on knowledge. Through their work programme “Education and training 2010”, launched in 2002, they have made great progress as far as the said objective is concerned. The cooperation policy in the field of education and training has meant advances in the reform of permanent learning systems and of qualifications and has influenced the modernisation of higher education and has contributed to a greater importance of professional education and training in the labour market. Furthermore, common tools and principles have been suggested, which allow members of the EU to apply the same focus to the key competences, mobility quality, recognising formal and informal learning, orientation throughout life, the European framework for qualifications and the qualifications and quality guarantee, both in higher education as well as in professional education and training.

European cooperation

In 2005, the Youth Council as well as previously the Head of State and Government, accepted a European youth pact. The result has been that the “cross-section youth policy”, backed by the pact, has been made known on a European and national level in the framework of the Lisbon strategy, in particular stressing the importance of new skills for young people and recognising the different ways of acquiring skills. The council settlement of 2004 about voluntary youth activities emphasizes the role of the volunteer to ease the transition from education to employment and adult life, and the council settlement of 2006 about recognising formal and informal education in terms of European adolescents confirms the potential that the scope of education and training has.

Four strategic objectives: the four long-term strategic objectives that will lead the cooperation policy until 2010 are:
1.    making permanent learning and mobility between countries a reality;
2.    improve the quality and efficiency of education and training;
3.    promote equity, social unity and active citizenship; and
4.    increase creativity and innovation, including business spirit, in all levels of education and training.

European cooperation

A key element of the European strategy to confront future challenges consists of improving and increasing citizens’ skills. Europe cannot compete in price, however it can lead in terms of innovation.

However, to focus more on innovation we should distance ourselves from less qualified jobs. And given that Europe cannot allow any of its citizens to actively participate in the economy and society, complementary changes also need to be made.  Everybody should have a real opportunity to participate, progress and be successful, and this is where education and training comes in.

Educational and training policies can contribute considerably to overcoming these challenges. However, the cooperation and training should not be considered in an isolated way. Education models the lives of young people and is one of the necessary conditions for them to achieve personal independence. This means that it also represents a priority for youth policies.

Education and training, as well as youth policies, are the responsibilities of national governments. However, many of the challenges previously outlined are common for all countries and so some of the objectives could be achieved more easily if countries would learn from each other.  Furthermore, certain targets, like helping students, pupils and volunteers to move between countries in a straight forward manner cannot be achieved if countries work independently. This is a field that requires cooperation on behalf of all members of the European Union.