06.02.2018 digitalisation, key competences, policy, statements

EAEA statement: European Commission’s initiatives on key competences, common values and digital education

EAEA’s response to the European Commission’s three recently published initiatives appreciates the update of the key competences framework, but criticises the narrow and formal understanding of education of the initiatives on digital education and common values.

The EAEA response addresses the three initiatives published by the European Commission in January:

EAEA appreciates the update of the key competences framework and is pleased that a number of the organisation’s recommendations have been taken on board. EAEA is happy to see that civic competences have been strengthened and that sustainability has become part of the framework.

When it comes to the Council Recommendation on common values and the Action Plan for digital education, EAEA believes that there are several missed opportunities.

EAEA calls for the revision of the initiatives and the acknowledgement of the significant role of adult education and learning.

“Both documents are based on a very narrow and formal understanding of education and thereby miss the opportunity to link formal, non-formal and informal learning as well as creating more ambitious and holistic strategies that take learners of all ages into account,” the response states.

EAEA calls for the revision of the initiatives and the acknowledgement of the significant role of adult education and learning.

“Adult education has a significant role to play; the evidence for which as well as the good practice across Europe is well documented.”

Photos: © European Union, 2017 / Source: EC - Audiovisual Service / Photo: John Charlton

News

More news >
15.01.2026 advocacy

Upskilling the agrifood sector for the right to food – a call to action

On January 7, the European Citizens’ Initiative “Food is a Human Right for All! Guaranteeing healthy, just and sustainable food systems” from Good Food 4 All started the collection of signatures. The initiative calls for the systematic guarantee of the right to food to promote healthy, just, humane, and sustainable food systems for present and future generations

11.01.2026 advocacy

"An autonomous Europe”: Cyprus’s takeover of the Council Presidency

Cyprus is the last country of the Trio Presidency to take over, following Denmark and Poland, completing an 18-month cycle. In this analysis, we look at the program presented at the beginning of the year, shaping the agenda for the next six months.

07.01.2026 adult educators

Digital competences frameworks for ALE: focus on andragogical approaches

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning and Shanghai Open University have recently launched the DELTA Framework – Digital Empowerment for Lifelong Learning and Transformative Andragogy for adult educators, with contributions from EAEA and ICAE.