Let's work together on policies and initiatives that enable equal opportunities for EU citizens

Source: Croatian presidency of the EU (Croatian presidency) i, published on Thursday, February 20 2020.

Education ministers adopted a Resolution on education and training in the European Semester: ensuring informed debates on reforms and investments. The resolution calls for appropriate involvement of education ministers in the European semester process when education and training related issues are being discussed.

The resolution is also the contribution from the EYCS (Education) Council to the process. Moreover, it reflects Member States’ commitment to further improve the quality of education and training, as well as highlights the need to ensure informed debates on reforms and investment in education and training.

"Talents are evenly distributed, but opportunites are not. Let's work together on policies and initiatives that enable equal opportunities for EU citizens!"

Blaženka Divjak, minister for Science and Education of Croatia

Brain circulation

Based on a steering note prepared by Croatian presidency (Discussion paper), ministers held a public debate on how to achieve a balanced brain circulation in the EU, as a driving force for the European Education Area. In this respect, they discussed how to ensure synergies between various related policies and use different investment opportunities to create favourable conditions to attract and retain more talent. In the debate, ministers also exchanged examples and ideas on what can be done at national and European level to support balanced brain circulation by different measures and initiatives, such as European Univesities.

Green education and sustainability

During the ministerial lunch, ministers held an informal debate on the topic 'Green education and training for a sustainable Europe'. They reflected on the European Green Deal and possible education and training policies at national and EU level, as well as synergies with other relevant policy areas, in order to contribute to sustainable development.

European cooperation

Croatian Presidency also informed ministers about the state of play of the post-2020 strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training.