Keywords
Citation
(2001), "Ministers agree action on mobility", Education + Training, Vol. 43 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2001.00443bab.011
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Ministers agree action on mobility
Ministers agree action on mobility
Keywords: Expatriates, Job mobility
A package to increase mobility for students, trainees, volunteers, teachers and instructors has been agreed by EU education ministers meeting in the European Council. The action plan for mobility, described by the EU presidency as a toolbox into which member states may dip as they wish, was adopted unanimously. Among its 42 proposals are:
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training teachers and administrators in the techniques of organizing foreign experience, so they can better provide advice and guidance and draft projects for mobility;
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defining and adopting a charter on reception facilities for foreign nationals on training courses; and
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linking mobility funding from the EU, member states, local authorities and the private sector.
In addition, the council adopted a recommendation – a non-binding legal framework – on mobility. This covers information on the possibilities of, and conditions governing, mobility. It details, for example, financial arrangements on social security and taxation and measures governing the recognition of experience gained abroad in a domestic qualification. Member states are encouraged to urge people to learn at least two EU languages. The recommendation targets not only EU nationals but also people from other western, central and eastern European states.
Education Commissioner Viviane Reding said: "My dream is for a student to be able to begin his or her studies in Paris, continue them in Berlin and finish them in Madrid, in order to obtain a qualification without any further problems." The Commission presented its memorandum on education and lifelong learning. This aims to stimulate debate at EU and national levels in order to develop a coherent and comprehensive strategy on the subject. It stresses the need to: invest more in human resources; innovate in education and training; improve training; facilitate access to information; and bring education and training into the home through new technology.