The Steering Committee for Education (CDEDU) oversees the Council of Europe’s programmes in the field of education and advises the Committee of Ministers on education issues.

The overall aim of the Education Programme is to support member States in developing their policies, legislation and practice in view of promoting democratic, quality, inclusive and corruption-free education systems, and taking into account the Council of Europe Reference Framework for Democratic Culture. The CDEDU focuses on Council of Europe priority areas and cover all levels and strands of education.

The CDEDU currently has one observer country (Israel) and 16 observer organisations.

Observer organisations provide valuable input to the work of the CDEDU. They let the Committee hear the voice of other stakeholders in the field of education, be they students, teachers or (higher) education institutions. The CDEDU counts among its observers highly representative organisations. Their membership in terms of number of member organisations, the number of countries represented and the reputation and the standing of member organisations in their respective national education systems are of particular importance to the CDEDU.

CDEDU Terms of references

CDEDU Bureau Members

CDEDU Members

CDEDU Participants and observers 

 CoE Intergovernmenal committees - roles and responsibilities