Renewing the democratic and civic mission of education; enhancing the social responsibility and responsiveness of education; advancing education through a human rights-based digital transformation - these are three pillars of the new Council of Europe Education Strategy 2024-2030 launched at the 26th Conference of Ministers of Education that concluded in Strasbourg today.
"I have been clear about the dangers posed by the return of extreme populism and nationalism to parts of our continent and the democratic backsliding that this has caused. We must ensure a robust response based on European values, with education at its heart", underlined Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić in her closing speech. "The Council of Europe started work, over 25 years ago, on democratic citizenship and human rights education. This Organisation has long championed access to quality education for every individual", she stressed.
"The new Strategy is a new ambitious plan to prioritise well-being of learners, so that they are confident and engaged citizens in our democracies, comfortable in dealing with complex issues and diverse communities - and at ease with the digital technologies that open new doors to learning, but whose dangers - including disinformation, manipulation and hate speech - can be spotted, interpreted and rejected," Secretary General explained.
The main actions of the strategy will focus on promoting flexibility in curriculum and programme design, learner autonomy, professional development of education professionals, as well as democratic and participatory governance of education systems and institutions. Well-being of learners is essential for their holistic long-term development and academic success through a supportive and inclusive environment.
"Learners First": the new Council of Europe Education Strategy launched
