Global Education at the European Parliament

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While working for the digital and green transitions, the EU designated 2023 the European Year of Skills. Civil society networks are calling on the EU to broaden its definition of skills beyond those linked to professional development. They are promoting a holistic approach that encompasses transversal and life skills needed to strengthen sustainability, democracy and social inclusion, as echoed in the Sustainable Development Goal on Global Education, SDG 4.7.

In this context, the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) and Bridge 47* organised a roundtable in the European Parliament with MEPs, European Commission officials, and civil society organisations in May 2023. The participants addressed the topic of “European Year of Skills and Global Citizenship Education - Building skills for a sustainable world”. They discussed how a lifelong and life-wide learning approach to skills helps learners to become active participants in society and build competencies for a more sustainable world.

The event was hosted by MEP Barry Andrews, Member of the Development Committee and Chair of the European Parliament SDG Alliance, who co-chaired the discussion with MEP Maria Walsh, Member of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, as well as of the Culture and Education Committee. 

Frank Geary, IDEA Director, underlined how critical thinking empowers citizens to fully participate, not only in the labour market, but also in society and democracy:

“There is a huge opportunity with the European Year of Skills to embrace Global Citizenship Education (GCE) and the transversal skills, such as critical thinking and interdependence that we focus on. … The text adopted by the EU Parliament on the European Year of Skills  emphasises ‘ensuring socially fair and just green and digital transitions’ and ‘empowering individuals to fully participate in the labour market, society and democracy.’ Global Citizenship Education and SDG 4.7 are essential for this.”

Rilli Lappalainen, Bridge 47 chairperson and director of FINGO, highlighted the importance of broader “life skills”:

“We need skills, not only for the labour force, but for life. We need stakeholders such as the Commission and the European Parliament to take that aspect on board seriously, so that we can live in harmony together with the planet.”

For more information, watch the video of MEP Barry Andrews speaking to Frank Geary, Director of IDEA and Rilli Lappalainen, Bridge 47 chairperson and director of Sustainable Development at the National Platform for Finnish Development NGOs.

^{Picture by William Felipe Seccon on Unsplash}