To know in order to grow

A new evaluation report by the Commission highlights the significant role played by the European Social Fund (ESF) in funding of initiatives for lifelong learning across the EU, while academic excellence is the focus of a group of experts set up by the EU.Courses throughout Europe. For the period 2007-2013, over €32bn have been allocated to Lifelong Learning (LLL). "An estimated 5 million young people, 5.5 million individuals with low skills, and 576 000 older people benefitted from ESF supported LLL activities across the EU between 2007 and 2010", according to the Report by the EU Commission. The youth are the biggest group benefitting from ESF-supported LLL activities, notably in Germany (young people comprise more than 50% of all ESF participations) as well as in Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK had a particularly strong focus on young people and especially those in socially excluded groups/communities. Conversely, in Greece the objective is to reduce the number of scarcely qualified people, representing some 30% of all participations in training. Given the diversity of this group it is particularly important to envisage personalized tools (consultancy, placement services, skills improvement in specific areas). Older workers. ESF participation provides the possibility of finding a new job, it also boots security and quality of work (via legally recognized qualifications), encourages ongoing learning and grants "higher levels of self-security". With less than 5% of all participations, older workers are "underrepresented" in ESF-supported Lifelong Learning programs. According to the report many older workers have not trained for some years and they have a lower priority than the other target groups. What are the perspectives for the period 2014-2020, i.e. with the next Multiannual Financial Framework programme? "Rising unemployment rates across all groups and in most countries could fuel a demand for training and employment support that is unlikely to be met, especially given pressures on national budgets". "A continued and further improved provision of LLL will be integral in delivering the strong and adaptable skill sets Europe will require in the coming decade".Quality teaching. "I want to ensure that every student, regardless of where they live or study in Europe, will benefit from quality teaching". Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, reflects on higher education in the old continent. A few days ago the Commissioner promoted a High Level Group tasked with impoving higher education in EU27. In his opinion "this is a preliminary condition for innovation, job creation and growth". Excellency in higher education "is one of the crucial elements to identify and promote sustainable paths that will enable us to overcome the ongoing crisis". The group chaired by Mary McAleese, former president of Ireland, "will focus this year on the best ways to achieve excellency in teaching and the following year the focus will be on learning in the digital era". The list of universities. In 2013 after having consulted experts, university professors, institutions and enterprise representatives, the group will report for the first time in 2013 and has a mandate until 2015. Mary McAleese said: Our group will examine how to nurture excellent teaching in our universities so that our young people receive the best education and the best possible employment prospects". This initiative is part of a larger strategy at European level, for the modernization of academic education. The "Bologna process" has made it simpler for the youth "to study abroad and obtain the recognition of their qualifications across Europe", as Vassiliou said. The European multidimensional university ranking system, due to be published for the first time in 2013, will also facilitate comparisons between universities so that students will be able to make a more informed choice about where to study". The new ranking will consider: quality of teaching and learning, research, knowledge transfer, international outreach strategies, and the role of universities in regional development.