In this interview, Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, Director General of the Directorate-General for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport at the European Commission, explains the pivotal role of the organisation in formulating and executing education policies that shape the future, and much more
How does the DG EAC play a pivotal role in formulating and executing the Commission’s education policies, shaping the future of education in the EU?
EU initiatives in the field of education have a positive and long-lasting impact on millions of citizens.
The aim of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport,
and Culture (DG EAC) is to promote quality, inclusive, and innovative education systems across the Union. Our goal is to prepare Europeans for the future and help equip them with the necessary competencies and skills, contributing to their personal, social, and professional fulfilment.
Through ‘soft law’ measures and funding programmes, and by facilitating cooperation between EU Member States, and the main education stakeholders, we increase learning opportunities for teachers and learners, from an early age, and throughout life.
The European Education Area (EEA) is in the making – with the renowned Erasmus+ programme as its key financial instrument – and it provides a cohesive framework for action across education communities in the Member States. And the implementation of our policies can be tracked using tools such as the EU Education and Training Monitor.
The Commission soon begins a new mandate, and the importance of future-proof education systems and skills is likely to be emphasised even further, as indicated in the 2024-2029 Political Guidelines presented by President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. A highly skilled population is required to support Europe’s competitiveness, digital and green transitions, resilience, and social cohesion.
Could you delve into the EEA strategic framework, a pivotal tool designed to foster collaboration among EU Member States and key stakeholders?
The European Education Area strategic framework facilitates collaboration to ensure that all European citizens have access to high-quality education, regardless of their background.
At its core is a governance mechanism with various strands of activities at the technical and political levels. This ranges from working groups with Member State representatives to the Council and is built on trust, flexibility, and cooperation between EU countries, EU institutions, and the wider education community. Strengthening the role of the High-Level Group on Education and Training (HLG) and establishing the HLG Coordination Board has helped enhance Member States’ political ownership.
Stakeholders’ engagement is fundamental for success. They participate in meetings of Member State representatives, and in events – such as the European Education Summit – the last of which took place in Brussels in November 2023, and via several online tools and communities of practice. The wide range of working groups on topics from early childhood education and care to adult learning, are at the core of the EEA strategic cooperation framework.
What are the seven targets that need to be achieved to fully realise the EEA by 2025 and 2030
The EEA strategic framework was put in place to structure cooperation between EU Member States and key stakeholders to achieve a collective vision, with seven key targets identified:
By 2025:
- At least 60% of recent graduates from Vocational Education and Training (VET) should benefit from exposure to work-based learning and
- At least 47% of adults aged 25-64 should have participated in learning during the last 12 months.
By 2030:
- Less than 15% of 15-year-olds should be low-achievers in reading, mathematics, and science.
- Less than 15% of eighth-graders should be
low-achievers in computer and information literacy. - 5. At least 96% of children between three years old
and the starting age for compulsory primary education should participate in early childhood education
and care. - Less than 9% of pupils should leave education and training early and
- At least 45% of 25-34-year-olds should have a higher education qualification.
Based on the latest available data (Education and training Monitor 2023):
- Of recent VET graduates, 59.3% of women and 60.8% of men currently benefit from exposure to work-based learning.
- 22% of 15-year-olds are low achievers in reading, mathematics, and science.
- 92.5% of children between three years old and the starting age for compulsory primary education participate in early childhood education and care.
- 8% of women and 11% of men leave education and training early.
- 47.6% of women and 36.5% of men between the ages of 25 and 34 have a higher education qualification.
What role does the European Universities initiative play as part of the European Research Area?
Supported by Erasmus+, the European Universities initiative is an integral part of the European Education Area. Under the 2021-2027 budgetary period, Erasmus+ will assign a record amount of around €1.1 billion to the European Universities initiative. Currently, there are 64 alliances. This means up to €14.4 million is available for each European Universities alliance covering four years – which is three times more than the amount that was offered during the 2019-2020 pilot phase.
The alliances provide access to a richer education offer and allow learners to expand their skills and competencies. They also support deeper and more sustainable cooperation between universities.
I believe that stronger synergies and breaking down existing silos will enable European Universities to reach their full potential. I am confident that reflections towards a stronger collaboration with the EIT and its Knowledge Innovation Communities and new investment pathways will lead to a common long-term strategy for education, research and innovation.
Why is the Commission presenting three initiatives to enhance transnational cooperation among higher education institutions, aiming to establish a European degree?
Our goal is to give students more opportunities to study and train across the EU and gain future-proof skills. A European degree would make it easier for universities and other types of higher education institutions to deliver joint degree programmes. By pooling their resources and knowledge, universities can offer top-notch learning and training opportunities, including in strategic areas, which they would not be able to offer on their own. This will help to further improve the international competitiveness of the higher education landscape in Europe and to provide the European economy and society with highly skilled young people. Europe’s place in the global race for talent will depend on our joint efforts both towards international cooperation and European cohesion.
Based on European criteria designed with Member States and stakeholders, the degree would be awarded on a voluntary basis at the national, regional, or institutional level without replacing existing national or regional degrees.
Sum up your vision to make European higher education even more competitive and interconnected, plus to secure Europe’s place in the global race for talent
As reflected in the new Political Guidelines presented on 18th July, by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, universities have a key role to play in Europe’s current geostrategic situation, when it comes to harnessing its strategic autonomy and strengthening competitiveness. Europe needs to be fully equipped to lead in areas such as the green and digital transitions, and this requires top-notch education and skills. The recent report by Enrico Letta, ‘Much More than a Market’, has underlined the role of the higher education sector – and the necessary steps to complete the single market, which is crucial for Europe’s economic strength – by placing education, innovation, and research at its core, as the ‘fifth freedom’.
Investing in high-quality and inclusive higher education, skills, and competencies strengthens EU competitiveness, secures its position in the global talent race, and safeguards its open autonomy in strategic areas. This was also a core message in the newly released report by Mario Draghi, on ‘The future of European competitiveness’.
More and deeper transnational education is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ but a must. This means extending opportunities for learning mobility and various models of transnational cooperation. It requires strengthening European University alliances and working towards a European degree. This will help to further improve the international competitiveness of the European higher education landscape.
