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Union of skills
As the EU is undergoing parallel digital, green and demographic transitions and, at the same time, seeking to hold course on competitiveness, skilled people have become vital. While education and training policies are within the remit of Member States, the EU supports them with guidance, funding and coordination. The European Commission has put forward a new initiative, the Union of skills, to address the existing shortages in terms of both occupations and skills in the EU, and Ϸվ is to debate ...
STEM education high on the EU agenda
In her political guidelines of July 2024, Commission President von der Leyen proposed a STEM education strategic plan, related to the Union of Skills, a key initiative from 2024 to 2029. The President highlighted not only the lack of qualified teachers in areas linked to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), but also the aim of attracting more girls and women into STEM education and careers.
Children and generative AI
Children are intensive users of digital tools such as artificial intelligence (AI). Generative AI – AI that can create new content such as text, images, videos and music – is becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it difficult to distinguish user-generated content from AI-generated (synthetic) content. If not supervised properly, these tools might carry risks for children, whose cognitive capacities are still developing. The need to strengthen generative AI literacy for children, educators and ...
Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate: Glenn Micallef – Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport
From 2020 to June 2024, Glenn Micallef served as the head of the Secretariat of the Maltese Prime Minister, Robert Abela, as well as his adviser on EU affairs, and as Malta's sherpa at the European Council. Additionally, from 2021 to 2024 he held the position of president of St John's Co Cathedral Foundation in Malta. Prior to these roles, Micallef worked as a research analyst for the Maltese Ministry for EU Affairs, focusing on the Council of the EU's competitiveness configuration. He then headed ...
Erasmus and green cities: Towards a European youth climate action corps?
According to a 2022 Eurobarometer survey, while two out of three young Europeans wish to contribute to the green transition through their jobs, 45 % of young Europeans lack green skills. In the United States (US), a new traineeship programme, the American Climate Corps (ACC), has been operational since June 2024. It allows young people to enter paid traineeships that provide them with important skills for green professions. Young people in the US have welcomed the initiative, which offers a chance ...
Research for CULT Committee - EU education, youth and sport policy - overview and future perspectives
This study provides a comprehensive overview of the situation to date and forward-looking insights in the areas of European Union education and training, youth, and sport policy. It highlights the existing and potential future challenges and opportunities within each policy field and makes recommendations for addressing them.
Research for CULT Committee - EU education, youth and sport policy - overview and future perspectives
This at a glance note summarises the study providing a comprehensive overview of the situation to date and forward-looking insights in the areas of European Union education and training, youth, and sport policy. It highlights the existing and potential future challenges and opportunities within each policy field and makes recommendations for addressing them.
Protecting children in virtual worlds (the metaverse)
While virtual worlds can boost children's creativity and motivation to learn and even help them heal from diseases, they also pose multiple challenges, not least regarding privacy and exposure to harmful and illegal content. Both the European Union (EU) and the private sector have taken steps to protect children in virtual worlds, but there is still much to be done to ensure that children are not exploited or harmed in this environment.
Teachers: Key to achieving the European education area
Teachers play an essential role in providing high-quality education and making education a rewarding experience for all learners. This makes teachers key to achieving a true European education area (EEA) that offers improved access to quality education and lifelong learning for all. However, the current shortage of teachers is a widespread issue across the European Union (EU). Not only is the teaching workforce ageing but the profession has become less attractive owing to factors such as challenging ...
International Women’s Day 2024 - Women in Sport