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Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council 2021

Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council 2021

Slovenia was holding the Presidency from July to December 2021, assuming this role after thirteen years. Slovenian slogan was Together. Resilient. Europe.

The logo of the Slovenian Presidency 2021

Slovenia’s six-month Presidency programme in the field of education was based on four priorities:

defining a new vision of knowledge, education and research;
placement of digital transformation, including artificial intelligence;
promoting the inclusive governance of the European Education and Research Area;
accelerating the green transition.

Special attention was on the preparation of a new European Agenda for Adult Education, continuing the development connected with the new Skills Agenda for Europe. This has set priorities in this area for the next ten years, with a focus on promoting lifelong learning, adult competences, vocational and technical education and work-based learning, including apprenticeships. Encouraged were discussions on education for sustainable development, micro-qualifications, individual learning accounts and access to vocational education and training and lifelong learning. The topic of vocational and non-formal education was addressed in the second half of 2021, as part of the European Vocational Skills Week.

»The right combination of knowledge, competencies and skills is crucial for the success of an individual. To understand and live the concept of lifelong learning is a prerequisite for the society of the future.«

Simona Kustec, PhD, Minister of Education, Science and Sport

Useful links and information:

Official website of Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Events at the heart of the EU Council Presidency 2021

In the following, we highlight the events and topics of the presidency with an emphasis on education:

Meeting of Directors-General for Vocational Education and Training (DG VET)

The meeting aims to provide an opportunity to reflect on the current situation of European vocational education and training policies with more attention to future agenda for adult learning. Appropriate steps to enhance and implement the objectives of the Recommendation on VET and the Osnabrück declaration will be considered.

The meeting will dive deeper into the options to ensure that VET and Adult Learning become more agile for better work and life. It will also be an opportunity to exchange ideas on increasing need for continuous learning in transforming societies, discuss ways to enhance efficient and effective investments in people, and explore possibilities for additional development of VET and Adult Learning.

Promocijski letak za tedne vseživljenjskega učenja. Na orančni podlagi je zapisan tekst, poleg pa so narisane marjetice z belo-rumenimi cvetovi in zelenimi stebli.

Lifelong Learning Weeks 2021 (LLW)

Lifelong Learning Weeks 2021, Slovenia’s prominent promotional campaign in the field of education, will be raising awareness about the importance of learning at all stages of life and for all the roles that people take on as individuals and members of communities. National LLW coordinator is Slovenian Institute for Adult Education.

From September 6th until October 10th thousands of events across the country will be organised by around 1500 providers: kindergartens and schools, folk universities, other public and private education providers, NGOs, associations, interest groups and others. To check complete list of events, visit the official Lifelong Learning Weeks website.

7th Slovenian Principals’ Conference: "Raising Quality and Efficiency with Leadership for Learning"

The annual principals’ conference (23rd, 24th and 25th August) will focus on new developments in education that are key for successful leadership of kindergartens and primary and secondary schools. A special emphasis will be put on considering ways to bridge the gaps in distance teaching and learning as well as the digital environment for an interactive use of curricular documents.

Together with Slovenian and foreign experts, the principals will discuss compensatory measures and solutions proposed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and the National Education Institute.

"A Resilient Response to Future Challenges" Adult Learning Conference

As part of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports will organize a two-day Adult Learning Conference entitled “A Resilient Response to Future Challenges” (8. 9. – 9. 9. 2021).

This conference aims to connect all stakeholders interested in the envisaged content of the European agenda for adult learning for the coming period.

Adult learning as a general and public good can significantly improve the lives of people living in an evolving society.

Naslovnica gradiva Spotlight on VET in Slovenia (Poudarki poklicnega izobraževanja v Sloveniji)

Current CEDEFOP newsletter highlights Slovenian EU Presidency

At the forefront of the CEDEFOP newsletter (July 2021) is Slovenian EU Presidency, which, among its priorities, seeks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, ‘based on a digital, green and fair transition’. The main topic is supplemented by other news, including the brochure Spotlight on VET Slovenia, which summarizes the Slovenian system of vocational education and training on four pages.

Promocijski letak za Evrospke dneve raziskav in inovacij (Lets shape the future together; Oblikujmo prihodnost skupaj)

Slovenia's central role in a renewed European Research Area at the European Days of Research and Innovation

The European Commission in September 2020 adopted a Communication on a new European Research Area for Research and Innovation. Accordingly, the goal of the Slovenian Presidency is Adoption of the Pact on Research and Innovation by the end of the year and debates on the implementation of the new European Research Area (ERA) with activities to address key challenges such as the green and digital transition, resilience and greater competitiveness in Europe.

Meeting of the High Level Group on Education and Training

On 6th July 2021, a meeting of the High Level Group on Education and Training was held to give Member States room to discuss European education policy and the realization of the European Education Area. The plenary and smaller break-out sessions intends to provide an opportunity for thematic input and detailed discussion of EU education and training topics.

More information available in HLG Joint background document and HLG Draft Agenda.

Ministrica MIZŠ, dr. Simona Kustec

Priorities of the Presidency of the EU Council in the field of education

In the field of education, main topics are: 1) definition of a new vision of knowledge, education and research; 2) placement of digital transformation, including artificial intelligence; 3) strenghtening the inclusive governance of the European Education and Research Area; and 4) further support of the green transition.

“At the ministerial conference, which will take place on November 9 and 10 in Slovenia, we will focus on the new role of the school space, the placement of digitalization, artificial intelligence and blended learning.”

Promocijski banner European Research Area (Evropsko področje raziskav)

Minister Simona Kustec, PhD, Minister of Education, Science and Sport: "Research needs to be placed at the heart of policies"

The European Research Area (ERA) needs to be renovated in the future in order to effectively translate the objectives set into concrete activities, results and impacts for European citizens.

“Our goal is a new, effective European Research Area that would provide better conditions for researchers. With inclusive management, we want to connect policy makers, decision-makers and stakeholders,” as key priorities points out the Minister.