CELEX: 51994PC0264
Language: en
Date: 1994-09-07
Title: Proposal for a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION establishing 1996 as the European Year of Lifelong Learning

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                         COM(94) 264 final
                                                         Brussels, 07.09.1994
                                                         94/0199 (COD)
                            Proposal for a
      EUROPEAN. PARU AMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION
     establishing 1996 as the European Year of Lifelong Learning
                    (presented by the Commission)
 ---pagebreak---                                 EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1.     Background
A very sharp increase in the demand for education has been observed in the Member States
in recent decades in both quantitative - particularly as regards higher education - and
qualitative terms. There are many reasons for this:
      The recognition of a sound level of basic education as a fundamental right of the
       individual and, as a corollary, the need for broader access to education and training.
      The face of society is changing rapidly - lifestyles and behavioural patterns are
       changing, the needs of industry are changing in the wake of the introduction of new
      technologies and new patterns of work organization - and is generating the need for
      parallel changes in education systems in order to tailor them to the new requirements
      of society.
      The Member States have realized the increasing importance of the quality of human
      resources in economic and social development, and have accordingly given high priority
      to education and training through the adoption of new legal or statutory provisions and
      a significant increase in the resources allocated to education and training.
        The prospect of lifelong education and training is steadily emerging as an invaluable
       instrument for adjusting to technological and social changes.
The adoption of the White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment echoes this
acknowledgment within the European Union: education and training are strategically important
for the emergence of a new model of economic and social development which respects the
environment and which will be based on knowledge and know-how, will secure the
competitiveness of the European economy for the future and will make it possible to make
better use of technological advances in creating more and more rewarding jobs and better use
of the leisure time generated by these advances.
2.    The present situation
The present situation is characterized by the following aspects which are important as regards
trends in education and training systems:
      After a period during which the thrust of national reform was directed at the structures
      of education and training systems and curricula, Member States are laying particular
      emphasis on the capacity for innovation which exists within schools, firms, regional or
       local authorities. It is indeed at this level that lie the solutions to the specific needs of
      a given environment: heterogeneousness of pupils and persons being trained; pupils with
      specific needs; answers to demand arising from factors to do with local development,
      employment area, the retraining of certain categories of workers, the adaptation to new
      work organization configurations, the return to employment after a period of
      inactivity, etc.
 ---pagebreak---       This concern to improve the quality of education and training is taking place in a
      context of high unemployment which erodes the confidence of those affected in the
      point of preparation for working life and occupational integration, even if, as the White
       Paper stresses: "... all other things being equal, it is the countries with the highest levels
      of general education and training ... which are the least affected by the problems of
      competitiveness and employment"
      The Treaty on European Union has consolidated and built on Community action in the
      area of education and training by providing a new base for European cooperation
      programmes. It is on this base that the Commission has proposed two new programmes,
      LEONARDO DA VINCI and SOCRATES. These programmes use the achievements of
      previous programmes as regards exchanges and mobility and expand the range of
      cooperation between Member States particularly as regards primary and secondary
      education, and seek to achieve a greater degree of rationalization of action undertaken
      and organizational and financial arrangements. Arrangements as regards mobility and
      right of stay also contribute to the emergence of a European area of education and
      training which the public must be made more aware of
      Since the second reform of the sructural Funds in 1993 the Community has stepped up
      its action in the field of education and vocational training with support from these
       Funds, inter alia through the Community initiatives EMPLOYMENT and ADAPT.
3.    The underlying reasons for a promotional drive at European level
Europe is faced with a situation in which its success in terms of economic growth is not
matched by an equal capacity to create jobs. In response to this situation, the White Paper
proposes a strategy based on a healthy, decentralized and competitive economy anchored by
solidarity. The vectors of this collective strategy, education and training approached through
the theme of lifelong learning, wilt enable constant renewal of employment opportunities and
will make it easier to keep abreast of technological change
 This strategy, i.e. placing faith in high quality human capital and in the quest for both
technological and organizational innovation, implies on the part of the general public an
awareness of the opportunities and the benefits but also of the constraints they involve It
implies, thus, a special effort to raise awareness among the general European public which
could be based on Community action on education and training (SOCRATES AND
LEONARDO programmes) which take over from programmes under way, actions financed
from the structural Funds such as the Community initiatives ADAPT and EMPLOYMENT
and legislative measures in the field of recognition of vocational training qualifications.
The proclamation of a European Year of Lifelong Learning in 1996 will provide a
promotional framework for the action undertaken within the European Union. This will make
it possible to get through to a much wider public than that directly affected by such action
and the impact in terms of awareness creation will be greater than would be possible through
individual actions undertaken by the Member States themselves.
 ---pagebreak--- 4.    Objectives
The objectives of the European Year of Lifelong Learning are to:
      make the European public aware of the importance of lifelong learning as a key factor
      in the personal development of individuals and fora European model of competitiveness
      and growth which is employment-intensive;
      foster better cooperation at all levels between education and training structures and the
      business community, particularly the SMEs;
      help to establish a European area of education and training through the academic and
      vocational recognition of qualifications within the European Union and through the
      introduction of a European dimension in education and training;
      stress the importance of improving the equality of opportunities in access to education
      and training, particularly between men and women.
5.    Contents
The actions implemented during this European Year, described in general terms in the Annex,
will be designed mainly for the purposes of promotion, raising awareness or demonstration.
They might, for instance, include:
      the design and use of a logo and one or more slogans;
      events presenting exemplary achievements in education and training;
      regional, national and European competitions in the areas of common interest;
      communication products (televised, multimedia or telematics) illustrating the priority
      themes of the Year;
      television programmes on themes such as lifelong learning.
The Commission intends to work in conjunction with the Member States, which presupposes
close interworking with the bodies responsible for implementation appointed by the countries.
The specific actions which can receive financial aid from the Community will be proposed
by the Member State(s) involved and Community financing will be decided on by the
Commission which will consult the Advisory Committee.
The Commission will bear the cost of and be responsible for the communication products at
Community level, and for surveys and any other action it undertakes to fuel public debate and
contribute to the subsequent assessment of the Year.
 ---pagebreak--- 6.   Timetable
Four major areas of activity are involved and these will to some extent overlap in time:
     creation of the legal basis: Commission proposal launched in September 1994,
      negotiations in autumn m order to arrive at the codecision envisaged in the first half
     of 1995;
     subject to a positive reception to the principle of this Year from the other institutions,
     establishment of me administrative structure within the Commission and in the Member
     States: autumn 1994 - spring 1995;
     selection md implementation of the communication projects: preparation in 1995, public
     launch in J 996,
     surveys and assessment: from 1995-97.
Hie control structure proposed is as follows:
     An advisory committee to assist the Commision, which is responsible for the
     implernentatton of the decision.
     For each Member Slate, a body to select, coordinate and implement actions nationally.
 ---pagebreak---                                         Proposal for a
                 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION
                establishing 1996 as the European Year of Lifelong Learning
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular
Articles 126 and 127 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions,
Whereas changes in lifestyles and in individual and collective patterns of behaviour generate
new education and training requirements;
Whereas changes in the production cycle as a result of the introduction of new technologies
and new configurations of work organization imply radical changes in the knowledge and
skills required of workers and entail an effort to favour the emergence of new jobs in order
to bridge the widening gap between economic growth and the creation of jobs in Europe;
Whereas the continuing adaptation of education and training systems to these new
requirements is of major strategic importance to Europe whose economic competitiveness and
social model are based on knowledge and know-how;
Whereas the role of lifelong learning for the individual and the worker is becoming
fundamental both in order to secure personal fulfilment and to enhance long-term employment
prospects; and whereas the White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment stresses
that education and training will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the renewal of growth, the
recovery of competitiveness and the restoring of a socially acceptable level of employment;
Whereas the scale of unemployment affecting young people and adults bring risks of social
upheaval and of scepticism as regards training, thus jeopardizing the confidence they should
have in the concept of lifelong learning;
Whereas there should be exchanges of experience and information on what the Member States
have achieved in their own countries, on the many regional and local initiatives undertaken,
and on the work of the Council of Europe and other international organizations involved in
education and training;
 ---pagebreak--- Whereas 1996 will be (he year in which the Leonardo'" and Socrates'"'' programmes, which
constitute the second generation of Community education and training programmes, come into
their own;
Whereas the structural Funds and the European Social Fund, and the Community initiatives
which derive therefrom, particularly EMPLOYMENT and ADAPT, do much to enhance
quality education and training;
Whereas there is a need to highlight the fundamental importance of education and training for
the construction of a Europe which is economically competitive and socially anchored in
solidarity and in the encouragement of individual fulfilment, through a series of activities and
events concerted at European Union level under the banner of a European Year of Lifelong
Learning, and thus achieve a greater impact than that achieved by existing Community
programmes and which would not be feasible for actions undertaken singly by Member States,
HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
                                             Article
 1.   Actions to provide information on, create awareness of and promote lifelong learning
      shall be undertaken between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 1996.
2.     1996 shall be proclaimed the "European Year of Lifelong Learning".
                                             Article 2
The objectives of the actions referred to in Article 1 are to:
 I.    make the European public aware of the importance of lifelong learning as a key factor
      in the personal development of individuals and for a European model of competitiveness
      and growth which is employment-intensive;
2     foster better cooperation at all levels between education and training structures and the
      business community, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises;
3.    help to establish a European area of education and training through the academic and
      vocational recognition of qualifications within the European Union and through the
      introduction of a European dimension in education and training;
4.    stress the contribution made by education and training to the equality of opportunities -
      and thus the importance of this equality, particularly between men and women - in
      access to education and training.
      Council Decision      / /EC; OJ No L
      European Parliament and Council Decision .../.../EC; OJ No L
 ---pagebreak---                                            Article 3
1.    The actions referred to in Article I shall include general or theme-based events, the
       preparation and dissemination of communication products, and studies and surveys.
2.     The criteria, procedures and arrangements for the selection and financing of actions are
       set out in the Annex.
                                           Article 4
The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision.
The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature composed of one
representative from each Member State and chaired by the Commission representative.
The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures
to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the
chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the
right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.
 The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It
shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.
                                           Article 5
Decisions on financial support to be awarded by the Community for actions proposed by
Member States shall be taken by the Commission in accordance with the procedure set out
in Article 4.
                                           Article 6
 1.    Each Member State shall designate a body to be responsible for the selection,
       coordination and implementation nationally of the actions provided for in this Decision.
2.     Applications for financial support for the actions provided for in Section II.B of the
       Annex shall be submitted to the Commission by the Member States concerned.
                                           Article 7
The Commission shall submit, by 31 December 1997 at the latest, a report to the European
Parliament, to the Council, to the Economic and Social Committee, and to the Committee of
the Regions on the implementation, results and overall assessment of the actions provided for
in this Decision and shall propose follow-up arrangements.
Done at Brussels,
For the European Parliament                           For the Council
The President                                         The President
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                     ANNEX
 1.     General
 I      Objectives and grounds for the action
The action follows up the White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment submitted
by the Commission to the Brussels European Council in December 1993, in which it is
recommended that the Commission should "set firmly and clearly the essential requirements
and the long-term objectives for measures and policies" in the areas of education and training,
and that "one way of sending an important signal and creating added awareness in this area
would be announce and organize a "European Year of Lifelong Learning".
2.      Themes
Activities and events undertaken as part of the European Year of Lifelong Learning will focus
on the objectives described in Article 2, viz. the development, generalization and
systcmatization of continuing eduaction and training, the importance of cooperation between
education and training structures and the business community, the potential of a European
education and training area in the context of mobility of people receiving training and of
workers, the need to ensure better access to education and training actions - particularly from
the point of view of equal opportunities for men and women.
3       Criteria
Priority in the selection of the actions mentioned in Section II will go to those which offer
a practical demonstration of the advantages of education and training for individuals, firms
and regional development alike; those highlighting education and training actions as part of
a lifelong learning approach; those based on Community action on education and training; and
those which show the contribution made by transnational cooperation.
II.    Contents
A      Actions wholly financed out of the Community budget
1.     (a)    Organization of European conferences on the abovementioned themes to launch
              and close the European Year.
       (b)    Organization of meetings in the Member States in order to stress the contribution
              made by the European Union to the abo'vementioned themes.
2.     Community-wide information and promotional campaigns involving:
       (a)   the designing of a logo and a slogan for the European Year of Lifelong Learning;
 ---pagebreak---       (b)   preparation of communication products, e.g. video clips describing innovatory
            experiences in education and training; multimedia points at fairs and exhibitions;
            brochures and leaflets; packages (texts, pictures, graphs, diagrams, etc.) to
            facilitate organization of local and regional conferences and seminars around the
            Year's four themes; interactive systems (CD-ROM, CD-I or telematics) to
            complement printed material; in addition to raising awareness these products will
            help to improve access by a wider public to information on the vocational
            recognition of qualifications, on the conditions of access to higher education in
            the Union, and on the projects supported by the different Community programmes
            and initiatives;
      (c)   the use of the major public (television, radio, press) and specialized media
            (educational TV channels, specialized press) for events and promotional
            campaigns;
      (d)   organization of European competitions (e.g. for pupils, schools, companies or local
            authorities) highlighting tangible experiences and achievements on one of the
             Year's four themes, inter alia, in conjunction with business circles, the social
            partners and the world of education, particularly as regards access for workers to
            conrinuing education and training;
      Organization of surveys, preparatory and ex-post assessment studies as a function of the
      target publics for each of the themes, one of the main points being to circumscribe more
      accurately the expectations of these different publics, including as regards the
      contribution of the Union.
B.    Actions co-financed out of the Community budget
The actions proposed for the European Year by the national authorities could qualify for
modulated financing out of the Community budget according to each case, up to a maximum
of 50% of the cost. These actions could relate inter alia to:
      (a)   national or regional events around the common themes established for the
             European Year;
      (b)   providing information on and disseminating examples of good practice;
      (c)   the organization of prizes and competitions at national or regional level.
C      Actions receiving no financial aid from the Community budget
Voluntary actions to be conducted by public or private operators, including authorization to
use the logo and priority themes of the European Year in campaigns and events.
                                                10
 ---pagebreak---                        FINANCIAL STATEMENT
 TrilJC <W OPKKATIOM
 European Year of Lifelong Learning
 BUDGET HEADING INVOLVED
 B3-1O08
 LEGAL BASIS
 Proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and the Council on a
 programme of action for the European Year of Lifelong Learning.
 DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION
4.1      General objective
         Chapter 7 of the White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment
         submitted by the Commission to the Brussels European Council in
         December 1993 recommends that the Commission should Mset firmly and
         clearly the essential requirements and the long-term objectives for
         measures and policies" in the areas of education and training. "One way
         of sending an important signal and creating added awareness in this area
         would be to announce and organize a "European year of education".
         This would make it possible to:
               make the European public aware of the importance of lifelong
               learning as a key factor in the personal development of individuals
               and for a European model of competitiveness and growth which is
               employment intensive;
               foster better cooperation at all levels between between education and
               training structures and the business community, particularly the
                SMEs;
               help to establish a European area of education and training through
               the academic and vocational recognition of qualifications within the
                European Union and through the introduction of a European
                dimension in education and training;
                                                11
 ---pagebreak---                 stress the importance of improving the equality of opportunities in
                access to education and training, particularly between men and
                women.
4.2      Period coveted and ammgcments for renewal or extension
         Action limited in time to the preparation and organization of the event
         "European Year of Lifelong Learning".
  CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE
5.1      Compulsory/Non-compulsory expenditure
         Non-compulsory expenditure.
5.2      DifferenuatedVlNon-diiTerenùated appropriations
         Differentiated appropriations.
  TYPE OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE
       Direct expenditure: purchase of communications goods and services.
       100% subsidy: yes, on occasion.
       Subsidy for joint financing with other sources in the public and/or private
       sector. The Commission will play the main role in the preparation and
       organization of the actions envisaged, but in view of the political importance
       and the nature of the action it is important for genuine cooperation between
       itself, the Member States and the public and private players concerned to be
       achieved.
  FINANCIAL IMPACT
 7.1      Method of calculating total cost of operation (relationship between unit
          costs and total cost)
          Some of the actions undertaken during the Year will be wholly financed
          from the Community budget, some will be jointly financed with public and
          private partners in the Member States, while others will receive no
          financial aid from the Comunity budget.
          The first of these categories covers the creation of an immediately
          recognisable identity for the Year, material for the media and organizers,
          opening and closing conferences, and events highlighting the work
          performed by the Union in the field of education and training. The second
          category will cover actions targeted more specifically at the national,
                                               12
 ---pagebreak--- regional or other publics in the Member States, the latter adapting the
common themes of the Year to these publics. The third category
essentially concerns the use of the logo, slogan or themes of the Year by
public and private players to enhance the impact of the Year.
A.    Actions wholly financed out of the Community budget
      A1.   Organization of Community-level events:
            Symposia, conferences, and seminars, including the European
            Year opening and closing conferences.
            Cost: ECU 1.5 million
      A2. Community-wide information and promotional campaigns
            involving.
                  the designing of a logo for the European Year of
                  Lifelong Learning
                  the use of the main general public media (TV, radio,
                  magazines, dailies) and specialized media (education and
                  training TV channels of the major public (television,
                  radio, posters, periodicals and dail, posters in schools,
                  universities, with focal authorities, specialized press)
                  publications
                  organization of European competitions.
            Cost: ECU 2.5 million
      A3.   Preparatory surveys and assessment studies
            The Commission will conduct preparatory surveys and
            assessment studies as a function of the different target publics
            (young people, parents, educationalists and trainers).
            Cost: ECU 0.5 million
B.    Actions co-financed out of the Community budget
      Bl    Organization of events (at schools, in firms, in town halls,
            public and other places where young people and adults gather)
            Cost: ECU 1.5 million
                                      13
 ---pagebreak---                B2.   Campaigns to provide information on and disseminate good
                     practice. These campaigns will involve the production of
                     leaflets, videos and other multimedia products and the
                     organization of meetings and exchanges.
                     Cost: ECU 1.5 million
               B3.   Prizes and competitions
               There will be prizes and competitions regionally and nationally,
              organized under the responsibility of the regional and national teams
               responsible. The themes of these prizes and competitions will be
               decided on by the Commission in conjunction with the committees.
               Cost: ECU 0.5 million
        C.     Actions receiving no financial aid from the Community budget
               Voluntary actions to be conducted by public and private operators,
               and including:
                     use of the common logo and slogan for the European Year in
                     publicity campaigns and events
                     dissemination of information on the European Year in the
                     media.
7.2     Itemised breakdown of costs
                                                  in million current ECUs
              Breakdown                 1995 Budget        1996 Budget        Total
    Al Conferences                           0.3               1.2              1.5
    A2 Promotion/publicity                   1.5                1.0             2.5
    A3 Surveys                               0.3               0.2              0.5
    Bl Events                                0.2                1.3             1.5
    B2 Information/dissemination             0.5                1.0             1.5
    B3 Prizes and competitions               0.2               0.3              0.5
    TOTAL                                    3.0               5.0              8.0
                                             14
 ---pagebreak--- 7.3       Indicative plan
                                                1995              1996          Total
     Commitment appropriations                   3.0               5.0           8.0
     Payment appropriations
                    1995                         2.0                             2.0
                    1996                         1.0               3.3           4.3
                    JW7                                            1.7           1.7
                    Total                        3.0               5.0           8.0
  FRA1J© «SEVENTHS MEASURES; RESULTS OF MEASURES TAKEN
  All contracts, agreements and legal commitments undertaken by the Commission
  allow for the possibility of spot checks fey the Commission and the Court of
  Auditors. Moreover, the recipients of aid in respect of actions are bound by
  obligations of financial report and accounts which are analysed both from the
 point of view of contents and from the point of view of eligibility of expenditure
  in accordance wim the objective of Community financing.
  ELEMENÏS Vf C)OST-€*FEOWENESS ANALYSIS
9.1       Specific and quantified objectives; target population
          The objective of the European Year of Lifelong Learning is to make the
          broadest possible public aware of the vital importance to European society
         of questions relating to education and training; thus the potential target is
          the whole of this society in so far as the Year will focus on education and
          training. The action therefore will concern not only the players and
          recipients of education but also all players involved in training policies,
          including employees.
9.2       Groraads for ihe operation
          The strongest arguments in favour come from the approach to the current
          economic and social problems set out in the White Paper "Growth,
          competitiveness, employment", which examines how to achieve a pattern
          of economic growth conducive to widespread job creation and to the
          preservation of the achievements of the existing European social model.
          The Commission proposes z strategy based on a healthy, decentralized and
         competitive economy anchored by solidarity. Education and training
         approached through the theme of lifelong learning, will enable constant
                                                15
 ---pagebreak---            renewal .of-employment opportunities-'and will make it easier to keep
           abreast of technological change.
           This strategy, i.e. placing faith in high quality human capital, implies on
           the part of the general public an awareness of the opportunities and the
           benefits but also of the constraints they involve. It implies thus a special
           effort to raise awareness among the general European public which could
           be based on Community action on education and training, actions financed
           from the structural Funds such as the Community initiatives ADAPT and
           EMPLOYMENT, and legislative measures in the field of recognition of
           vocational training qualifications.
           A European Year of Lifelong Learning in 1996 will provide a promotional
           framework for the action undertaken within the European Union. This will
           make it possible to get through to a much wider public than that directly
           affected by such action and the impact in terms of awareness creation will
           be greater than would be possible through individual actions undertaken
           by the Member States themselves.
   9.3     Monitoring and evaluation of the operation
                  The ex-ante surveys conducted among adults, young people,
                  teachers/trainers will make it possible to have a basis for the ex-post
                  assessment which, in addition to measuring the size of the audience
                  reached by the event, will include an analysis of changes in attitudes
                  among the different players involved. In the field of education and
                  training - and particularly as regards mainstream teaching and
                  lifelong learning - a change in attitudes is a precondition for the
                  modernisation of education and training systems both through
                  reforms or through the dissemination of initiatives.
                  The success of the operation will be assessed over the following
                  5-10 years by examining trends in actual practices followed by the
                  players concerned. The general indicators established by the TFR.H
                  in the field of education and training will make it possible to
                  monitor the changes.
   9.4      Coherence with financial programming
            New action introduced in the wake of the adoption of the White Paper.
10   ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE (PART A OF THE BUDGET)
     No increase in the number of staff is envisaged for the purposes of this action
                                              16
 ---pagebreak---                                                                       BSN 0254-1475
                                                               COM(94) 264 final
                                                      DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                              16
                                 Catalogue number : CB-CO-94-407-EN-C
                                                              ISBN 92-77-80567-6
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