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Press Releases |
March 25, 2002
EBLIDA urges Ministers of Education and Culture to include libraries in lifelong learning debate
Barcelona European Council
15-16 March 2002EBLIDA urged European Ministers of Education and Culture to ensure that libraries are included as active partners in the debate on lifelong learning, during the recent European Council meeting in Barcelona 15-16 March 2002, under the Spanish Presidency of the European Union. One of the priorities is to improve the education and training of Europe’s students and workers and to increase their scope for mobility. Developing a European policy on lifelong learning is a key part of this strategy. A Social Summit, which took place the day before the Council, emphasised the importance of including social partners in the reform debate, and agreement was reached between trade union and employer groups on priorities.[1]
At their meeting in Rome on 22 February 2002, the EBLIDA Executive Committee decided to write to national Ministers of Education and Culture to highlight the role of libraries in the development of strategies for lifelong learning. Libraries can bridge the gap between the traditional system of formal education and a broader system of learning. Global resources made available in a local setting, together with the professional skills of archivists and librarians, combine to provide European citizens with the tools to continue the learning process throughout their lives. This action follows the EBLIDA statement on lifelong learning [2] issued in response to the European Commission Memorandum.
The Barcelona Council welcomed the Commission’s Communication on lifelong learning [3] and invites the Council to adopt a resolution on lifelong learning before the European Council in Seville on 21-22 June. In addition, it supported efforts to guarantee lifelong learning in order to secure a knowledge-based society and welcomed the Action Plan on Mobility and Skills, which stresses the need to develop and recognise qualifications and skills, including those acquired informally. The conclusions are available in all Community languages.
Footnotes
1. http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/education/life/index.html
2. http://www.eblida.org/
3. http://www.ue2002.es/principal.asp?opcion=0&idioma=ingles
EBLIDA, European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations, was established in 1992 as a non-governmental, non-profit umbrella organisation representing libraries on a European level. Subjects on which EBLIDA concentrates are European information society issues, including copyright & licensing, culture & education and EU enlargement. We promote unhindered access to information in the digital age and the role of archives and libraries in achieving this goal.
Created: 26 March 2002
Last updated: 30 March 2002
