Strasbourg, 25 September 2026. The 10th plenary session of the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Education (CDEDU) was held at the Palace of Europe from 23 to 25 September 2026. It reunited representatives of member states, partner organisations, observers and the education community.
Anchored in the Council of Europe’s Strategy for Education 2024–2030, ‘Learners First’, the proceedings focused on education’s contribution to the New Democratic Pact for Europe and on preparations for the 27th session of the Council of Europe’s Standing Conference of Ministers of Education, to be held in Podgorica in December.
Reinforcing the democratic mission of education
The Committee approved the final version of the European Space for Citizenship Education (ESCE), which will be launched at the Ministerial Conference.
It also endorsed the general orientation of the first draft White Paper on the future of teachers and the teaching profession.
The CDEDU endorsed the analysis contained in the report by independent experts on the legal protections for academic freedom and on the feasibility of a Council of Europe legal instrument in this area. The Committee welcomed a gradual approach towards such an instrument. This approach would begin with a new recommendation aimed at protecting academic freedom and addressing the new challenges facing the academic community in Europe.
The Committee reviewed the preparations for the Conference and endorsed in substance the draft Ministerial Resolution on empowering educators for a democratic Europe in the digital age.
A renewed Bureau
Guðni Olgeirsson (Iceland) was elected Chair for the remainder of the current term, from September 2026 to March 2027. Isabella Brunelli (Switzerland) was elected Vice-Chair for a first term from September 2026 to September 2027. Robin Moberg (Sweden) joins the Bureau. Franziska Sophia Knogler, from the European Students’ Union (ESU), will sit on the Bureau as an observer representing non-governmental organisations.
Links:
