European Citizens’ Consultations
Regional Debate on Education: Challenges and Perspectives in Europe
Nice, 6th November, 09.30h – 16.30h

The European Movement, in collaboration with the Union of European Federalists and Young European Federalists, will be hosting the European Citizens’ Consultations Regional Debate on Friday, 6th November in La Maison du Séminaire in Nice, France.

The EU should harmonize European educational and vocational systems by introducing common criteria and standards for the different educational levels, which are recognized in all Member States. This should include a facilitation of pupil and student mobility within Europe, uniform admissions procedures, examinations and evaluations.

This is one of 15 recommendations, which was developed by 1600 citizens from all EU-Member States during the European Citizens Consultations on the Economic and Social Future of Europe over the first 6 months of this year (www.europeancitizensconsultations.eu).

These recommendations and further issues related to education will now be discussed in Nice involving key stakeholders from France, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Malta and Portugal. This is the third of five regional debates happening around Europe.

The debate will focus on the complexity of educational systems, involving already integral parts of education, such as student mobility programmes, providing free movement and knowledge exchange opportunities. It will also address mobility which has grown from a simple idea of students going abroad to a complex system, where social, economic, financial and cultural issues have to be considered. On the other hand, European citizens believe that educational system of Europe should be simplified and harmonised, providing the same opportunities for citizens in all the 27 member states. Providing solutions to improve education is amongst the priorities of the European institutions as well as of national and regional governments.

Programme

09:30         Registration and coffee
10:30         Welcome note

Diogo PINTO, Secretary General of European Movement International
Stefan Schäfers, European Programme Adviser of King Baudouin Foundation
Joan Marc Simon, Secretary General of Union of European Federalists

10:35          About the project: Presentation of the outcomes of the 1st phase of ECC project
11:30         Roundtables 

Are the educational systems in Europe in line with future skills required?
With a special contribution from: 

Alvaro Vermoet Hidalgo, President of the “Union Democratica de Estudientes”
Michalis Attalides, Rector of University of Nicosia, Cyprus

Mobility and quality of education
With a special contribution from: 

Damien Abad, MEP – European People’s Party (Christian Democrats), France Marie-France Mailhos, President of the “European Association of Teachers”,
Manuel Carmelo Rosa, Director of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Portugal
Laura Cavallo, Manager of Department of Economic Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, Italy 

Common criteria and standards versus diversity
Chairperson
Louis Grech, MEP – Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Malta

With a special contribution from: 
Fernando Seabra Santos, President of Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities, Portugal
Charles Mallia, Secretary of Private Schools Association, Malta
Tiago Soares, President of National Youth Council, Portugal 

13:30         Lunch
14:20         Report on roundtables 
14:40         Questions from audience and debate
16:10         Concluding remarks
16:30         END