Final report - European Commission - Europa

PANEL DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONSThe panellists were the following:Ms. Gry Ulverud Hoeg, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Education and Research, NorwayMr. Anthony Gribben, European Training FoundationMr. Paul Hannon, Director of Research and Education, National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship, UKMs. Caroline Jenner, CEO, Junior Achievement -Young Enterprise EuropeMr. Paul Skehan, Deputy Secretary General, EurochambresMr. Christian Weinberger, Head of Unit, European Commission- Directorate General for Enterprise and IndustryMs. Erna Hennicot-Schoepges, Member of the European ParliamentEach panellist made a short statement presenting her/his views as a result of previous presentations and discussions.The main messages of the panellists can be found below:Ms. Gry Ulverud HoegEntrepreneurship education is built through the natural curiosity of children. The European Commission can contributeto better awareness and understanding of the scope of these activities in primary school, by clarifying that theobjectives of entrepreneurship education are much wider that training on how to start a business. In this respect, itis important to circulate ideas. A database funded at EU level would help teachers.Mr. Anthony GribbenThere are many activities in the Member States, but little attempt to bring them together and to circulate the information.Independent evaluation should be used to validate practices, with the objective to disseminate them.Member States should set up a reference and a strategic framework at national level on entrepreneurship education,involving all stakeholders. Norway can be seen as a model for setting up a national strategy. The case of Scotlandshould be considered as a good practice as regards training the teachers.Mr. Paul HannonIt is essential to focus on building the capacity of institutions and of educators. This should start from the top management(e.g. the Rectors) of higher education establishments. Exchanges of experience and practice between leadersof institutions should be promoted. This type of action should be coordinated at the EU level. Also, it is very importantto promote the mobility of educators across Europe (all of them, not only the teachers). There is a need for mobilityprogrammes. This approach has been recently taken in the UK, it should be so also at EU level. More generally, aEU wide framework of what is to be achieved should be set up, followed by proper evaluation of the impact of measurestaken.Ms. Caroline JennerProgress was made recently as regards the endorsement of entrepreneurship activities. The effects of this recognition,particularly at EU level, can be seen already. It is therefore important to keep the momentum. We have achievedrecognition, but not critical mass: there is a need to reach more students, teachers and potential volunteers.Work in this direction should build on a partnership at three: governments, NGOs, businesses. At European level, weshould create a common platform and/or a database to facilitate the exchange of experiences.79Entrepreneurship Education in Europe: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets through Education and Learning