On the 12 May the European parliament adopted with a large majority the report Youth on the Move - a framework for improving Europe's education and training systems by a Slovenian MEP Milan Zver (EPP).
On the 12 May the European parliament adopted with a large majority the report Youth on the Move - a framework for improving Europe's education and training systems by a Slovenian MEP Milan Zver (EPP).
The report stresses that European university programs will have to better adapt to the needs of the economy and society if we want the EU to get out of this crisis and if we want to lower the unemployment levels of young people below 20% (in some member states even 40%). Zver's report calls for further modernisation of universities and vocational training systems; greater possibility of switching between different levels of general and vocational education and better mutual recognition of qualifications acquired in different EU Member States. It stresses importance of better recognition of non-formally acquired skills and the importance of learning two foreign languages already in early childhood as this knowledge later on gives young people greater possibilities for employment. It also calls for a better inclusion of young people in decision-making processes on their future. Zver stresses, that young people who experienced mobility find it easier to find their first employment and are more involved in the democratic processes; they share a greater sense of European citizenship. That is why in his report he calls on the European Commission, to increase its investments in very successful existing mobility programs, such as lifelong learning (Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci...), Youth in Action and others in its new financial framework. On the other hand the modernisation of the European higher educational systems depends largely on the Member States and this is why the reporter calls on them to earmark at least 2% of GDP for higher education. Only by increasing investment in education and youth European economy will gain a suitably educated workforce, which will take Europe out of the crisis and lead it towards the path of sustainable growth. "Funds for young people, mobility and education are not an expense but an investment for the Europe’s future," stated Zver.