Report - Salto

32
Bridges for Recognition | Milestones in European Recognition - Evolution
Key issues related to this are:
• There should be an individual entitlement to get non-formal and informal learning experiences
validated, but
• It should be a voluntary matter for individuals asking for validation
• There should be an obligation for stakeholders, in accordance with their rights, responsibilities
and competences, to establish systems & approaches for validation, including quality assurance
mechanisms & guidance provision
• Validation of non-formal learning must be based on confidence & trust: this means processes,
procedures and criteria must be fair & transparent
• Systems and approaches for identification and validation should be credible and legitimate
These principles should be adapted by country & by context on a voluntary basis and be
disseminated and promoted by involved parties. NGO’s engaged in providing lifelong learning
opportunities are also encouraged to use and adopt the common European principles as
appropriate.
The European Inventory for the validation of non-formal & informal learning is an activity
which was asked for in the very beginning of the E&T processes. The idea is to collect information
on systems for validation in different contexts (public, private, voluntary) and countries (29)
and to make it available to diverse audiences. The inventory will provide information on
• methods & instruments
• norms & standards
• stakeholders and institutional, political & legal frameworks, and
• examples of good practice (by country and by context)
The results of the inventory initiative are expected from the contractor, ECOTEC, in the spring
of 2005.
The Single Transparency Framework (EUROPASS) is based on a proposal by COM on improved
transparency of qualifications and competences in order to facilitate mobility throughout Europe
for LLL purposes. It led to a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 December
2004.