First half of 2024: Belgium takes over the EU Council Presidency
2 February 2024
The six priorities of the Belgian EU Presidency are:
- Upholding the rule of law, democracy and unity,
- Strengthening our competitiveness,
- Pursuing a green and just transition,
- Strengthening our social and health agenda
- Protecting people and borders
- Promoting a global Europe
In the field of education, the focus is on strengthening the European Education Area (EEA) and the Strategic Framework for European Cooperation in Education and Training. The Presidency will prepare the Council conclusions on evidence-based policy, practice and cooperation within the EEA to improve the quality of education.
In addition, the Belgian Presidency will work towards the adoption of a Council recommendation aimed at updating the current European framework for learning mobility, with a view to removing existing obstacles and barriers to all forms of mobility for learning and teaching purposes. The Belgian Presidency will pay particular attention to the incentives and impacts of student mobility.
To strengthen cooperation between educational institutions and promote mobility, the Presidency will also launch discussions on the forthcoming higher education package. The focus will be on the path towards common European higher education qualifications, a European quality assurance and recognition system in higher education, and a European framework for attractive and sustainable careers in higher education.
Background: On 9 January, the Commission launched a consultation on a blueprint for common European higher education qualifications (link), the results of which will be incorporated into a European Commission communication. In addition, it has launched two consultations on plans for quality assurance (link) and attractive higher education careers (link), which are key building blocks for a common European higher education degree. The results of each will be incorporated into a proposal by the European Commission for a Council recommendation, which will be discussed during the Council Presidency.
The Council Presidency will also promote a dialogue on the implementation of digital education policy and encourage reflection on the progress made under the Digital Education Action Plan (DEAP).
Digital education and the shortage of teachers will also be addressed. The participation, empowerment and integration of young people are to be strengthened. Youth strategies are to be reviewed and refined; a Council resolution on youth work policy (‘Youth work policy in a new Europe’) is to be adopted.
In the field of research, the Presidency will promote international cooperation in line with the Global Approach to Research and Innovation (link).
