Report - Salto

Bridges for Recognition | Milestones in European Recognition - Evolution
29
- Evolution
Hans-Joachim Schild (Youth Unit - European
Commission) gave an overview of the milestones in
the journey towards formal and social recognition
of non-formal and informal learning in youth
work.
In setting the scene, Hans-Joachim referred to
political processes which have been initiated
since Lisbon 2000 and which have influenced the
debate on validation and recognition of formal, non
formal and informal learning in diverse contexts.
He acknowledged that there was much work that
he did not have time to mention, including work
in the Education and Training field, the national
or sectoral level or the work of colleagues in the
Council of Europe and European Youth Forum.
Hans-Joachim Schild introduced some of the milestones for formal and social recognition of
non-formal and informal learning in youth work. He explained that the European Framework is
based on the two related policy sectors of Education and Training, and Youth.
Since Lisbon 2000, when the Heads of State & Government decided to “make the Union to the
most competitive, knowledge-based region in the world, with more and better jobs, sustainable
growth and social cohesion”, a number of political processes had been initiated in both policy
sectors. These have influenced the debate on validation & recognition of formal, non-formal and
informal learning in diverse contexts.
A range of these initiatives were to be presented during the conference; in some cases initiated
by national governments, in other cases by youth organisations or specific projects. They cover
both, recognition of youth work for and with young people and of training of youth workers/
youth leaders.