Making A European Area of Lifelong Learning a Reality

On 21 November 2001, the Commission adopted a Communication on Making a European Area of Lifelong Learning a Reality. This Communication was jointly presented by Commissioners Reding and Diamantopoulou as a response to the mandate from the Feira European Council "to identify coherent strategies and practical measures with a view to fostering lifelong learning for all". In doing so, it makes an important contribution to achieving the strategic goal set at Lisbon for Europe to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based society in the world.

These files can be downloaded in pdf format

Communication from the Commission
		Making a European Area a Lifelong Learning A Reality
Support Documents The following documents have been prepared to support the new Communication.
		The Staff Working Document Lifelong Learning Practice and Indicators provides additional information relevant to the Communication by setting out illustrative examples of lifelong learning practice, tools for delivering lifelong learning and information on the development of indicators for monitoring the implementation of lifelong learning in Europe.
The following documents provide more information and detailed feedback from the Europe-wide consultation.
		Summary and analysis of the feedback received from the Member States and the EEA Countries as part of the Consultation on the Commission's Memorandum on Lifelong Learning: prepared by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop)
		Summary and analysis of the feedback received from the Candidate Countries as part of the Consultation on the Commission's Memorandum of Lifelong Learning: prepared by the European Training Foundation (ETF)
		Summary and analysis of the feedback received from Civil Society as part of the consultation on the Commission's Memorandum on Lifelong Learning: prepared jointly by a platform of European civil society organisations
		Feedback from European Social Partners as part of the consultation on the Commission's Memorandum on Lifelong Learning

What does the Communication propose?

The Communication makes proposals that contribute to the realisation of a European area of lifelong learning, the objectives of which are both to empower citizens to meet the challenges of the knowledge-based society; and to meet the goals and ambitions of the Member States and the candidate countries to be more prosperous, inclusive, tolerant and democratic.

• The Communication firstly proposes a broad definition of lifelong learning, recognising that learning takes place in a broad range of settings, across the whole life span, and with a variety of aims.

• Secondly, the "building blocks" of coherent and comprehensive strategies for lifelong learning are set out in order to assist Member States and other actors in developing and implementing such strategies.

• Thirdly, concrete proposals for actions at all levels are developed, supporting and adding value to national strategies. This includes a comprehensive new approach to valuing learning, which will allow citizens to move freely between learning settings, jobs and countries, making the most of their knowledge and competences.

• Finally, the Communication explains how the implementation of the European area of lifelong learning will be taken forward using existing structures, processes, programmes and instruments, and through the development of a limited number of indicators.

Source: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/education/life/index.html