Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2012
January 25, 2012 Leave a comment
11th January, the European Commission met with the Danish Government to discuss the priorities of the new Presidency. These priorities were also mentioned by Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt at the European Parliament’s plenary session on Wednesday 18th January in Strasbourg. The priorities over the next six months will be youth unemployment and a focus on the field of education and training under the strategic framework for European cooperation. The Presidency will concentrate on bolstering the transition from education to the labour market and will also work on developing a benchmark for employability. The Presidency will also make progress towards the adoption of a recommendation on the recognition of informal and non-formal learning to support the link between education and work.
The Presidency will also prioritise creativity and entrepreneurship under the flagship initiative “An Agenda for new skills and jobs”. During the Presidency, the Council will also deal with the question of active participation of youth in society as part of the Structured Dialogue. Creativity, innovation, performance and talent among European youth will be promoted as part of active citizenship and the transition from education to employment. Regarding the Structured Dialogue, the Presidency will work under the overall heading of youth participation. The national priorities of “creativity and innovation” will be debated at the EU Youth Conference on 18th-21th March in Sorø.
The Youth Forum welcomes progress on a Council recommendation promoting and validating informal and non-formal learning. Non-formal education is emerging as an important way in which to bridge the gap between education and employment. The Forum also regards “An Agenda for new skills and jobs” as a positive step in allowing young people to access new opportunities. The Forum will continue to work with the Presidency to make sure that youth needs are addressed.
Useful Links:
“Europe at Work: Programme of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2012”, Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2012
“Conferences and Other Events in the Field of Education and Youth During the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union”, Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2012
“The Danish Prime Minister’s speech in the European Parliament”, Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2012, 18th January 2012
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