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Publicēšanas datums::  5 Apr 2022

Conference on the Future of Europe: recommendations on jobs, education and digital transformation

The report from the ‘citizens’ panel’ on jobs, education, and digital transformation lays out recommendations agreed within the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Recommendations made by European Citizens’ Panels are the result of rounds of deliberation amongst 200 randomly-selected people from the 27 EU countries. One third of each panel was made up of young people aged 16-25.

Panel 1 was charged with laying out recommendations on the themes of “A stronger economy, social justice and jobs / Education, culture, youth and sport / Digital transformation”.

European Citizens’ Panels are a key feature of the decision-making process in the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Education

In education, the group calls for measures to ease European labour mobility and reduce administration.

We recommend the harmonisation of the level of all different education programs in the EU with acceptance of the national content. Accordingly, we recommend that the professional degrees are validated and mutually recognised in all EU Member States.

Jobs insights for young people

The panel described visits for high school students to workplaces as “a win-win situation for both sides”.

We recommend that high school students (from 12 years old on) should have an insight into their future labour market by giving them the opportunity to have several high quality observatory visits in profit and non-profit organisations. We propose to encourage companies to accept observing students by granting them subsidies. In remote areas where there is less opportunity, local schools, governments, organisations and companies must work closely together to realise that those observatory visits are also effective.

Soft skills are basic skills

Skills such as listening to each other, encouraging dialogue, resilience, understanding, respect and appreciation for others, critical thinking, self-study, remaining curious, and being results-oriented are being lost in the digital age, according to the panel. They call for these skills to be integrated in all courses in school curricula.

They also add that

Teachers should be trained in the transmission of these skills by collaborating closely with social workers and/or psychologists. Other suggestions for execution: organise exchange programs for students between schools, organise participation in sports and cultural events cross-schools etc.

Outcomes of the Conference

Recommendations from citizens’ panels will be debated in a conference plenary, made of representatives of the European Parliament, Council, European Commission, national parliaments and citizens.

It is expected to make its recommendations on the future of Europe in spring 2022.

See more on the plenary and its agenda

About the Conference on the Future of Europe

The Conference comprises online exchange, decentralised events, citizens’ panels and a conference plenary. All are geared to giving European citizens a chance to debate on Europe’s challenges and priorities.

Learn more about the Conference

Publicēšanas datums::  5 Apr 2022