A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE IN OUR HANDS - To Parent Directory

Cross-cutting policiesEducation - sharing knowledgeAt the heart of all the policies, programmes and initiatives outlinedso far is the realisation that nothing can be done without the helpof an educated public. Education equips people with the meansto deal with these challenges and gives us the skills we need tomake Europe’s growth sustainable.When we think of education we tend to think of our school days.But the issue is much larger – it covers knowledge sharing at alllevels and across all subjects. Technical knowledge shared to keepus competitive; scientific knowledge to keep us healthy; informationtechnology reaching out into far-flung communities, putting themin touch with people and concepts all over Europe; school childrenstaying in education up to university level; lifelong learning; businessesbeing educated in environmentally sustainable choices – itall involves sharing knowledge.Sustainability is about using our resources in a way that allowsfuture generations to benefit too – this refers not only to naturalresources but also to human resources – the people of Europe.Education is a way to reduce inequalities, those that exist betweenmen and women or between minority groups and the other citizensthey live with. This is a lifelong process – gone are the dayswhen learning and training ended with college graduation. Nowthe emphasis is on helping people boost their knowledge and skillsthroughout their lives.What’s being done?In February 2001, the EU launched Education and Training 2010.Ministers of education throughout the EU decided on three, concreteobjectives to ensure the development of the skilled workforceupon which our future depends. The elements are: opening upeducation and training to the wider world – meaning both the worldof work and the world beyond the EU; increasing the quality of oureducation systems, and making access to education easier.All three ambitions involve a range of measures. Opening up educationto the wider world, for example, highlights the importance oflanguage learning and seeks to strengthen the links with workinglife and research.070