Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council, 21-22/11/2016 - Main results - 21 November 2016
Meeting information
Outcome of the Council meeting
Indicative programme - Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 21-22/11/2016
Provisional agenda - Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council, 21-22 November 2016
Youth
The Council adopted conclusions on promoting new approaches in youth work Youth work can help young people develop competences, skills and positive attitudes.
The conclusions highlight its importance for reaching beyond the formal structures to young people of different backgrounds, including marginalised and disadvantaged youth. They also call for the use of innovative tools in youth work practice, in the fields of education and training, sport and culture, social services, information and communication technologies.
Ministers also exchanged views on how to reconnect young people with the European project, as a follow-up to the debates at the Bratislava informal summit in September.
"Young people are important actors in today´s societies. We need to help keep their minds open, globally savvy and willing to volunteer for Europe. In return, we should provide them with promising prospects. Yet, as part of the general anti-establishment trend, young people feel increasingly disconnected and uncomfortable with the European Union project. Today, we have prepared key messages to relay to our European leaders, following the Bratislava summit of September 2016 in an effort to rebuild trust with the young generation."
Peter Plavčan, Slovak minister for Education, Science, Research and Sport
Education
The Council adopted a resolution on a New Skills Agenda, which highlights the main aspects that will guide Council work in this field, in response to the Commission's communication on the strategic importance of skills for sustaining jobs, growth and competitiveness.
It covers areas such as skills development, mutual recognition of qualifications, support for both vocational education and training and higher education, as well as ways of exploring the full potential of the digital economy, with the aim of promoting 'lifelong investment in people'.
The Council also reached political agreement on a recommendation on New Opportunities for Adults, in the framework of the Commission's proposed Skills Guarantee. It aims to provide opportunities for low-skilled adults to acquire a set of skills, knowledge and competences relevant for the labour market and active participation in society.
The Council adopted conclusions on the prevention of radicalisationleading to violent extremism, which are very timely in the context of the 1st anniversary of the Paris terrorist attacks.
They underline the need to undermine and challenge existing violent extremist ideologies and to counterbalance them with appealing non-violent alternatives and to support parents, siblings, peers youth workers and others in contact with young people who are at risk of violent radicalisation.
They also emphasise the need to involve and cooperate with service providers in the fight against illegal hate speech online, whilst fully respecting of freedom of expression, in view of the role of the social media as a prime vehicle for targeting, grooming and triggering potential radicals to commit violent acts.
"We have just commemorated the sad anniversary of Paris attacks where so many innocent lives were lost and families broken. Combatting radicalisation and violent extremism remain high on our agenda. It is evident that every single level of governance has to be involved to counter them. Today the Council agreed to focus on preventive measures such as education, voluntary and cultural activities and youth work. They may be considered "soft“, but if taken up widely and vigorously, they can effectively protect our liberal societies".
Peter Plavčan, Slovak minister for Education, Science, Research and Sport
Agenda highlights - 22 November 2016 (Culture and Sport)
Single market for audiovisual services
At its culture and audiovisual session, ministers will look at ongoing work on the draft directive on audiovisual media services (AVMS).
The draft legislation seeks to adapt the current laws to changes brought about by digital technologies, new business models and changing viewers' behaviour.
The current legislation, which was adopted in 2010, establishes a single market for the free circulation of audiovisual works. It regulates both the traditional TV broadcasting, as well as the new on-demand services.
European year of cultural heritage
The Council is expected to adopt a general approach on a decision establishing a European year of cultural heritage.
This initiative has two main goals:
raise awareness of the opportunities that cultural heritage brings
draw attention to the challenges that cultural heritage is facing
The Council is also likely to agree a decision regarding the European Capitals of Culture for the years 2020 to 2033. The aim is to extend the geographical scope of the European Capitals of Culture to Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein.
Sport diplomacy
In its sport session, the Council will adopt conclusions on sport diplomacy that would encourage cooperation between public authorities and the sports movements to use the potential of sport in foreign policy.
The conclusions are also likely to call for better use of sport to promote positive sporting and European values.