A presentation event of the National Lifelong Learning Strategy was held today, Monday, 12 December 2022, at the Hilton Nicosia Hotel, which was co-organised by the Office for European and International Affairs, Lifelong Learning and Adult Education of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth and the Foundation for the Management of European Lifelong Learning Programmes.
It was attended, among others, by administrators and officials of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, the General Directorate of Development, the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, the State Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy and the Department of Public Administration and Personnel. Representatives from the private sector, semi-governmental organisations, higher education institutions, non-governmental organisations and other social partners involved in the elaboration of the National Lifelong Learning Strategy 2021-2027 also participated.
The event began with a welcome address by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for the Management of European Lifelong Learning Programmes, Dr. Onisiforos Iordanos. In his address, Mr. Iordanou stressed the fact that the National Lifelong Learning Strategy 2021-2027 is in full alignment with both the overall objective and the horizontal priorities of the Erasmus+ Programme for the period in question. He also noted that the Lifelong Learning Institute, as the National Agency for the Erasmus+ Programme, has the role of promoting lifelong learning and supports over time the vision of lifelong learning for all citizens of Cyprus.
In his speech, the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Mr Prodromos Prodromou, stressed the great importance of lifelong learning as a force for equal participation of all citizens in education and training, personal development and fulfilment. He said that, for Cyprus, the National Lifelong Learning Strategy responds to the national political priority to develop a framework for lifelong learning, setting the strategic goals and strategic objectives up to 2027. He also stressed that the Lifelong Learning Strategy of the Republic of Cyprus for the years 2021-2027 aspires to provide a long-term strategic framework for the development of a knowledge society in which all citizens will have learning opportunities aimed at developing their knowledge, skills and attitudes, facilitating their personal and social progress, career advancement, social inclusion, resilience and well-being. In conclusion, he noted that the National Strategy will be the framework of lifelong learning priorities for all citizens of the Republic of Cyprus for the coming years.
Mr Prodromou stressed that activities related to the lifelong learning system fall under the responsibility of many organisations, services and institutions of the Republic of Cyprus. "Therefore", he said, "the National Lifelong Learning Strategy 2021-2027 aims to align its vision with the strategic measures and actions of other authorities of our state, as communicated through their objectives and operational frameworks. It is important to stress that the text of the National Strategy to be presented today is the result of a broad consultation with organisations and social partners from across the country."
The Minister then referred to the importance of the strategic priorities, pillars and key performance indicators of the National Lifelong Learning Strategy. With the implementation of the strategic priorities, Prodromou noted, we aim, among other things, to increase the participation of citizens in lifelong learning, to reduce youth unemployment and to upgrade the skills of the workforce in general.
He added that the above priorities will be achieved through the provision of learning opportunities, especially for vulnerable groups, where the upgrading of skills is not always a given. "In the context of digital and green growth, this need is becoming increasingly urgent", the Minister of Education pointed out.
Then, the Director General of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, Mr Neophytos Papadopoulos, presented the importance of the National Lifelong Learning Strategy as a strategic umbrella under which the strategic objectives and plans of all actors involved in the lifelong learning spectrum should converge. He stressed the need for the development of a lifelong learning culture, the early anticipation of needs and the measurement of the Strategy's results as necessary conditions for a coherent Strategy with a strong impact on society.
The event concluded with statements by representatives of the National Lifelong Learning Commission on how their organisation is implementing the strategic priorities of the Strategy and how future challenges will be addressed.
IP
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