Supported by almost 100 MEPs and civil society networks, the European Parliament has set up an Intergroup on the Future of Education and Skills for a Competitive Europe.
Europe is in transition to a green and digital society that requires future-oriented skills. This fundamental change places high demands on European education systems. The new European Parliament has recognised this and, for the first time, has set up an intergroup to discuss education issues. ‘It is time for the members of the European Parliament in all committees to be able to break down silos and work holistically on education and skills development,’ says the working group.
The initiative is supported by prominent members from several factions, including Victor Negrescu (S&D), Vice-President of the European Parliament, as well as MEPs Eleonora Meleti (EPP), Nela Riehl (Greens/EFA) and Brigitte van den Berg (Renew). In total, almost 100 members of parliament have backed the initiative. Officially titled ‘Future of Education and Skills for a Competitive Europe’, the working group aims to improve the quality, equity and inclusiveness of education and vocational training systems across Europe by taking a holistic approach.
The establishment of the working group was largely due to the intensive lobbying of civil society networks such as the Lifelong Learning Platform, which was supported by the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA), and other stakeholders in general and vocational education.
Intergroups are a forum for informal exchanges of views on specific topics between different political groups and for contacts between MEPs and civil society. They are composed of members from at least three different political groups and, while they are not official bodies of the Parliament, they are officially recognised. They are set up at the beginning of each parliamentary term on the basis of an agreement between the political group chairmen.