On the 1st January began a new Presidency of the EU Council, held until 30th June by the Netherlands. This Presidency is held alternately between all 28 Member States for a period of six months. To ensure the continuity of themes, the Presidencies work in trios, thus developing a joint program for 18 months. This presidency succeeds Luxembourg and starts a new joint program with Slovakia and Malta.
The priorities of the Netherlands’ Presidency of the Council, for Higher Education, are the investment in the Erasmus + program; in lifelong learning regardless of age or social background; a better alignment of education with the demands of the labor market; development of skills in the context of a changing society; online and distance learning; internationalization of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs); and the integration of migrants / refugees and people with mental health problems in HEIs and the labor market.
Events related to higher education promoted by the Presidency for the 1st semester of 2016:
February:
- 16th - Conference Vocational Education and Training - skills for a lifetime
- 24th - Council meeting | Education, Youth, Culture and Sport - Brussels
March:
- 7th - Bologna Follow-up Group
- 9th - Conference on ”Societally relevant teaching and learning in European Higher Education”
April:
- 11th - Meeting of Directors-General of Higher Education
May:
- 30th - Council meeting | Education, Youth, Culture and Sport - Brussels
For further information you can visit the Presidency’s official website.
