06.02.2018

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

14.09.2026 Gender Equality Task Force

Gender Equality Strategy 2026 - a renewed focus on lifelong learning and the care sector

In 2026, the European Commission released a new Gender Equality Strategy and Gender Equality Roadmap, setting out the EU's priorities for advancing gender equality in the coming years. But what does gender equality have to do with lifelong learning? And what role can education and learning play in challenging persistent inequalities?

08.07.2026 activism

Resilience means giving genuine decision-making power to local actors - EAEA's annual event panel discussion

On June 10th, EAEA’s members reunited for the Annual Event, this time in Poland, hosted by the NGO organization sTOP. The Panel discussion titled ‘‘Resilient Communities in Times of Crises’’ saw the participation of Benedetta Perego (lawyer admitted before the Italian Supreme Court and founder of Strali), Musa Kirkar (President of CEIPES and EAEA’s Board Member), Oleg Smirnov (Director of DVV International Ukraine and EAEA’s Vice President), and Irena Lipowicz (lawyer, professor, and ex diplomat for the United Nations).

06.07.2026 advocacy

Democracy and coalition-building

At the Feminist Futures Festival in Brussels, participants explored how feminist perspectives, coalition-building and transnational solidarity can strengthen democracy and social inclusion.