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Brussels, 15 and 16 May 2023
The Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Ms Athena Michaelidou, participated in the EU Education, Youth and Sport Council, which took place on 15 and 16 May 2023, in Brussels.
During the first day of the Council, Ministers discussed youth issues and exchanged views on the social inclusion of young people, especially those with fewer opportunities in decision-making processes. Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Andriy Chesnokov, participated in the discussion. The Minister referred to the policy co-design processes that we are implementing in Cyprus and in particular the involvement of youth organisations in the formulation of the National Youth Strategy. She highlighted the value of multi-level cooperation and referred to practical examples of support for young people with fewer opportunities. Finally, he provided information on measures to support the education of Ukrainian students and young people, and the promotion of an Agreement with Ukraine on mutual recognition of educational and academic qualifications.
At the Education Summit, Ministers confirmed their political commitment to achieving the European Area of Education by 2025, adopting a resolution to this effect. They also pledged to strengthen their efforts to achieve automatic mutual recognition of higher education and higher secondary education qualifications, including vocational education and training.
During the political debate, Ministers spoke about reading and its importance for learning, equality and active participation in society. Highlighting the challenges of digital transformation, Ms Michaelidou underlined the need to cultivate strategic reading skills and a holistic approach to language cultivation, so that students are able to critically manage the information barrage. He also touched on addressing the learning "gaps" brought about by the restrictions and school closures during the pandemic, noting the need for early intervention mechanisms and targeted and individualised support for vulnerable groups of children and children with learning difficulties. Finally, he stressed the importance of literacy, which is a key aspect of the education system in Cyprus.
Cyprus, together with other member states participating in the Council of Europe's Observatory on the Teaching of History, called on member states that are not members of the Observatory to positively assess the possibility of joining. The Minister noted that the Observatory makes an essential contribution to building democracy, mutual understanding and peace in Europe. The Minister referred to concrete measures that can be taken at government level, while respecting the autonomy of sports organisations, such as working together to set standards for human rights in sport and the use of sports diplomacy.
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