The Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Mr Prodromos Prodromou, participated in the EU Council of Education, Youth, Culture and Sport, which took place on 28-29 November in Brussels.
During the first day of the Council's work, Ministers had the opportunity to discuss education issues. In particular, there was an exchange of views on the role of the European Education Area in mitigating crises in education and training, with a particular focus on the education of Ukrainian students. It should be noted that the Ukrainian Minister of Education also spoke during the discussion of the issue, via videoconference, and referred to the needs of education in his country.
In his intervention, Mr Prodromou referred to the coordination achieved in the framework of the governance of the European Education Area and to the specific measures taken at national level in relation to the education of Ukrainian students. In this context, Mr. Prodromos said that the European Commission has taken action to promote the implementation of the European Union's policies in the field of education and training of students in the field of education in Europe. Prodromou informed, inter alia, his counterparts that Cyprus has made the necessary arrangements for the admission and integration of Ukrainian students, as well as the processes for a special agreement on mutual recognition of educational qualifications and diplomas with Ukraine
Referring more generally to the role of the European Education Area in times of crises, the Minister of Education highlighted in particular the need for resilient and inclusive education systems, which are able to deal effectively with the consequences of crises.
During the session, Mr Prodromou also informed his counterparts about the results of the High Level Meeting of Education Ministers on Education for Sustainable Development, which took place in the framework of the 9th Ministerial Conference "An Environment for Europe" held in Nicosia last October.
The "27" also had the opportunity, during a working lunch, to exchange views on the support that can be offered for the recovery of the Ukrainian education system. During the discussion, Ministers mentioned, inter alia, that the EU, both through various instruments and investment mechanisms and through the provision of expertise by Member States, can play an important role and contribute substantially to the management of Ukraine's educational needs, especially after the end of the war.
The afternoon session of the Council was devoted to youth issues, with the European Year of Youth 2022 being the main topic of discussion. In particular, ministers had the opportunity to report on initiatives undertaken in their country, with particular emphasis on actions that highlighted the youth perspective towards political initiatives. In his intervention, Mr Prodromou referred to the flagship actions and other events that took place in Cyprus within the framework of the Year, such as the Forum for Democracy and the National Youth Summit. In this context, he underlined the importance of strengthening the participation of young people through creative activities and noted that the European Year of Youth contributed to strengthening the active involvement of young people and youth organisations in shaping national or European strategies on issues that concern them. This momentum should be maintained, as well as the diverse and multi-level participation of young people in society, which strengthens their voice and enhances their role in social and political life, he concluded.
(MF/MX)
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