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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on The contribution of IT-supported lifelong learning to European competitiveness, industrial change and social capital development

(2006/C 318/03)

On 19 January 2006 the European Economic and Social Committee, acting under Rule 29(2) of its Rules of Procedure, decided to draw up an opinion on: The contribution of IT-supported lifelong learning to European competitiveness, industrial change and social capital development.

The Consultative Commission on Industrial Change, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 31 August 2006. The rapporteur was Mr Marian Krzaklewski. The co-rapporteur was Mr András Szücs.

At its 429th plenary session, held on 13 and 14 September 2006 (meeting of 13 September), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 181 votes to six with eleven abstentions.

1.   Proposals and recommendations

2.   Introduction and reason for opinion

3.   General comments

4.   Specific comments

The contribution of IT-supported lifelong learning to European competitiveness and productivity

The contribution of IT-assisted lifelong learning to the development of social capital

The contribution of IT–assisted lifelong learning to industrial change, with particular reference to investment in employee skills, the development of human resources and tackling unemployment.

Brussels, 13 September 2006.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Anne-Marie SIGMUND

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(1)e-Learning — The use of new multimedia technologies and the Internet to improve the quality of learning by facilitating access to resources and services as well as remote exchanges and collaboration.

(2)Lifelong learning (LL) — An expression used to indicate that acquiring new knowledge is now considered a continuous process which does not end when one leaves school or university, but continues uninterrupted throughout one's professional life and even after retirement, spreading to embrace all stages of life and all social groups thanks, to a large extent, to the possibilities offered by e-learning (source: www.elearningeuropa.info).

(3)Broadband Internet access — Communications channel with high capacity, enabling quick, easy access to information and e-learning systems (source: www.elearningeuropa.info).

(4)Knowledge-based society — A society whose processes and practices are based on the production, distribution, and use of knowledge for the continued improvement of skills and full involvement in family and professional life and in society, COM(2001) 678 final.

(5)An integrated action programme in the field of lifelong learning, COM(2004) 474 final, 14.7.2004.

(6)  Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council, No 2318/2003/EC on the eLearning Programme of 5 December 2003.

(7)  Non-formal learning takes place alongside the mainstream systems of education and training and does not typically lead to formalised certificates. Non-formal learning may be provided in the workplace and through the activities of civil society organisations and groups (such as in youth organisations, trades unions and political parties). It can also be provided through organisations or services that have been set up to complement formal systems. EU Commission, SEC(2000) 1832.

(8)Informal learning — Learning based on everyday situations at work, in the family and during leisure time. It is neither organised nor formal (in terms of set goals, duration or resources). For the learner, non-formal learning often takes place unwittingly and does not usually lead to a certificate.

EU Commission, SEC(2000) 1832.

(9)Improving the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy.

(10)  Modernising education and training: a vital contribution to prosperity and social cohesion in Europe, COM(2005) 549 final 30.11.2005.

(11)  Conclusions of the Council on education, youth and culture of 21.2.2005.

(12)  COM(2005) 229 final.

(13)  Ministerial Conference ‘ICT for an inclusive society’, Riga, 11.6.2006.

(14)  eAccessibility.

(15)  e-exclusion — exclusion from participation in electronic communication.

(16)  Digital literacy — one of the basic skills required to actively participate in the information society and the new media culture. It focuses on the acquisition of skills and abilities linked to new technologies, increasingly essential in everyday life. E-Learning Programme, 5 December 2003.

(17)  Opinion — Key competences for lifelong learning, May 2006.

(18)  Report — RAND Europe, ‘The Supply and Demand of E-skills in Europe’, IX 2005.

(19)  E-competences — competences in the field of ICT and skills and attitudes relating to ICT usage, which make it possible to carry out professional tasks at the appropriate level.

(20)  Communication of the European Commission: Bridging the Broadband Gap of 21.3.2006.

(21)  COM(2002) 262 final.

(22)  Commission communication: Investing efficiently in education and training: an imperative for Europe COM(2002) 779 of 10 January 2003 (5269/03).

(23)  De la Fuente and Ciccone: Human capital in a global and knowledge-based economy. Final report for the Directorate General for Employment and Social Affairs, European Commission, 2002.

(24)  Conclusions of the Presidency, European Council 23-24 March 2006 (7775/06).

(25)  Opinion: i2010 — A European Information Society for Growth and Employment.

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