The Political Context

The Lisbon Declaration

The European Council held a meeting in Lisbon in March 2000,

communicating the famous “Lisbon Declaration” summing up work done so far and setting strategic objectives for the time to come.

With “People are Europe’s main asset.”, “Europe – An information society for all”, “Transitioning to a competitive, dynamic and knowledge-based economy” the important role of education and training as an integral part of economic and social policies and for ensuring social cohesion was recognized.

It was requested that “Europe's education and training systems need to adapt both to the demands of the knowledge society and to the need for an improved level and quality of employment.”

Specific targets were named in the declaration as well and welcomed by the Social Partners. The implementation of the process, unfortunately, has missed many opportunities resulting in a re-evaluation and new steer. There is a reiterated call for action “Growth and Jobs” by the European Commission to ultimately achieve the ambitious goals laid out in the declaration.