Education, Youth and Culture Council 13-14 Nov 2006
The Education, Youth and Culture Council (EYC) will convene in Brussels on 13–14 November. The meeting will be chaired by the Finnish Minister of Education Antti Kalliomäki (education matters) and the Finnish Minister of Culture Tanja Saarela (cultural, audiovisual and youth matters).
In education matters the Council is likely to adopt the draft conclusions on the future priorities for enhanced European co-operation on Vocational Education Training (VET), or the Copenhagen process. The Council is also likely to adopt the draft conclusions on efficiency and equity in education and training. The purpose of these is to intensify the research on the economics of education in Europe. The Council is expected to form a general idea about the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The European Institute of Technology (EIT) and the reform of European universities will also be discussed. The focus will be on the modernisation of European higher education systems and the possible contribution by the EIT to the reform. During the Finnish EU Presidency, a political consensus is expected to be reached on the recommendation on key competences for lifelong learning and the European Quality Charter for Mobility. There will be information from the Presidency on this matter in the meeting.
In cultural matters the Council will identify the 2010 European Capitals of Culture and appoint the members of the selection panel that will prepare an evaluation of the candidates for 2011 Capitals of Culture. On the basis of a Commission survey, the Council will discuss creative industry and the economics of culture. The Council will take into account the action plan for the EU promotion of museum collections' mobility and agree on the extension of the work plan in the field of culture until the end of 2007. The Presidency will inform the Council about the EU–Russia meeting of experts held in Kajaani, Finland, on 18–19 September 2006.
In audiovisual matters the Council will form a general idea about the amendments to the Television without Frontiers directive. Furthermore, the Council will likely adopt the conclusion on the digitisation and online accessibility of cultural material, as well as digital preservation, aimed at creating the European Digital Library.
In youth matters the Council will likely adopt the conclusions on the implementation of the shared goals about youth participation and information. The ministers will discuss the significance of youth research (better understanding and knowledge of youth) in political decision-making. Based on the discussion, Presidency Conclusions will be drafted in order to influence the continued consideration of youth research in the Council.
The Presidency will hold press conferences at the end of each session of the Council.
• Culture, audiovisual & youth: on Monday 13 Nov is planned to begin at (GMT+1) 18.00
• Education: on Tuesday 14 Nov is planned to begin at (GMT+1) 13.15.
The Presidency press conferences can be followed live and later as a recording at www.eu2006.fi/webcasts (in English) and http://ceuweb.belbone.be/index.php?lang=EN&sessionno= (in English and other languages).
Further information:
- Education: Reijo Aholainen, Counsellor of Education, tel. +358 (0)9 160 77405, mobile +358 (0)40 771 9628
- Culture: Risto Kivelä, Special Government Advisor, tel. +358 (0)9 160 77478, mobile +358 (0)40 547 3273
- Audiovisual: Jukka Liedes, Director, tel. +358 (0)9 160 77481, mobile +358 (0)40 543 0333
- Youth: Seija Astala, Counsellor for Cultural Affairs, tel. +358 (0)9 160 77396, mobile +358 (0) 40 515 5818