At the education WISE Summit on 29 November organized in Doha, the Council of Europe presented the key objectives of its ambitious "Learners First" 2030 education strategy during a high-level round table organised by the Education Above All (EEA) Foundation and UNESCO. The strategy aims to transform higher education in Europe, emphasising inclusion, resilience and adaptability in the face of global challenges and crises.
The strategy, presented by Mr Villano Qiriazi, Head of the Council's Education Department, focuses on empowering individual learners by recognising their unique needs and aspirations. It emphasises education as a lifelong journey, accessible to all, across traditional boundaries of age, background or circumstance.
A key aspect of the Learners First strategy is its commitment to improving the social responsibility and responsiveness of education. Recognising the diverse needs of European societies, the Council aims to make education more inclusive and equitable, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4 on lifelong learning for all.
In his intervention, the Head of Education highlighted the recent adoption by European education ministers of a resolution focusing on the provision of quality education in emergencies, including natural disasters, pandemics and conflicts. An integral part of this initiative is the innovative EDURES toolbox, developed in collaboration with Italy, which serves as a comprehensive action plan for education resilience.
In tackling inequalities in access to higher education, the Education work programme has emphasised flexible admission procedures to higher education across Europe and the recognition of prior learning, particularly for refugee students. The success of the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR programme), launched in 2017 under the Joint Recognition Convention between UNESCO and the Council of Europe, was presented as a flagship initiative demonstrating the Council's commitment to non-discrimination and equal treatment.
The shift towards digital transformation in education was also highlighted, with the EQPR programme fully embracing digital innovation and improving process efficiency from application to issuance of qualifications.
Looking ahead, the Department of Education will focus on establishing common international standards for higher education in emergencies as part of its 2024-2030 strategy. The overall goal would be to promote a more inclusive, resilient and forward-looking higher education sector in Europe.
A Joint Statement was adopted at the end of the Round Table.
