8. The integrated action programme on lifelong learning
A new EU Action programme in the field of education and lifelong learning: the integrated action programme on lifelong learning (2007-2013)Inside the Lisbon strategy, investment in education and training is a key factor in terms of human resources as well as improvement of quality effectiveness an accessibility of EU education and training system.
The Commission proposed an EU programme in the field of lifelong learning built on experience gathered with the existing generation of programmes such as Socrates (education) and Leonardo da Vinci (vocational training).
The new integrated action programme in the field of lifelong learning comprises sectoral programmes on school education (Comenius), higher education (Erasmus), vocational training (Leonardo da Vinci) and adult education (Grundtvig) and is completed by transversal measures and an additional Jean Monnet programme focusing on European integration. The proposed budget is EUR 13,62 billion for the total period 2007-2013.
The new integrated approach has some substantial and quantified targets such as :
- for Comenius : to involve at least one pupil in 20 in joint educational activities and to cover the school-twinning activity at present supported under the e-learning programme;
- for Erasmus : to contribute to the achievement by 2011 of 3 millions Eramus students and to introduce specific mobility arrangements for students studying for Joint Masters programmes;
- for Leonardo da Vinci : to increase placements in enterprises to 150,000 per year by the end of the programme and to reinforce European networks concerning practice in vocational training;
- for Grundtvig : to support the mobility of 25,000 individuals involved in adult education per year by 2013;
- for "transversal" programme : to support activities which cut across the other sub-programmes, especially in the field of language learning tools, e-learning and exchange of good practice in education and training systems at national, regional and local levels;
- for the Jean Monnet programme : to support study, research and teaching about European integration and European institutions and associations in education and training.
I am convinced of the importance of the rule of education and training in creating a competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in Europe as well as in improving the personal knowledge and skills in terms of person's growth, citizenship and sense of responsibility.
This integrated programme reflects the crucial necessity of a lifelong learning process in which acquired knowledge and skills need to be updated and extended throughout personal and working life. It is also important to rationalise Community instruments in order to increase their access, coherence and synergy and making them both more user-friendly and more effective.
In this framework, taking account the current financial climate, I want to improve the impact of mobility in a more efficient way :
- improvement of the cross-border educational activities in the Comenius programme : I would like to increase mobility for upper secondary pupils by 50%, to double the number of mobilities per partnership (from 2 to 4 per school) and that Comenius partnership should aim to cover 1 in 15 pupils. Relating the promotion of teacher mobility, I suggest the creation of a new Comenius-regio action, bringing together teachers from a limited number of countries around issue of common interest connected with regional cooperation across borders. Trans-national activities targeted at the specific needs of children of occupational travellers and mobile workers should also be supported under the Comenius programme;
- programme Erasmus mobility grants has remained at an average of ground EUR 150 per month since 1993, and therefore in order to cover more adequately the real additional costs as well as to assure a greater access and participation of less-privileged students, I would like the average monthly grant to be gradually increased from EUR 230 in 2007 to EUR 350 by the end of the programme;
- concerning the Leonardo da Vinci programme, I would propose a reduction in the share of the budget (a more realistic figure of 110,000 trainee placements per year by 2013 instead of the 150,000 per year proposed by the Commission);
- the promotion of language learning opportunities and especially neighbouring languages is an important issue which should be reinforced;
- the implementation of the programme needs a greater administrative simplicity and use-friendliness and also an adequate and appropriate budget, to those ambitions targets (EUR 14,6 billion).
This integrated programme contributes to the improvement of education and training systems throughout the EU and gives an impetus to the Lisbon strategy process.