October 2019

EaP Panel meeting on Education, Youth and Culture

On 1 October 2019, Sintija Bernava (EU Coordinator Working Group 4, “Donum Animus”, Latvia) and Alla Kozhyna (“Institute of Public Strategies”, Ukraine) represented EaP CSF during the second EaP Panel on Education, Culture and Youth. On this occasion, more than 60 delegates and stakeholders involved in the Eastern Partnership region discussed the merits of digital technology and social entrepreneurship for the field of education.

Civil-society perspectives on education

The panel showcased tools and initiatives to promote innovation in education:  SELFIE, EU Code, eTwinning, HEinnovate, and Knowledge Alliances. EaP CSF representatives stated that EU and EaP countries should continue their collaboration in ensuring a good quality of education and jobs for young people. Amongst each other, EaP countries should increase cooperation on education projects, building on 10 years of common experiences in the Eastern Partnership.

The representatives stressed that education tools should especially target employability and entrepreneurial skills of youth and young people in the EaP region. Here, digital technologies play a crucial role to equip both school students and teachers. The representatives demanded better access to digital, entrepreneurial and technical education especially for young girls and women.

New legislation on Higher Education in EaP countries could enable greater institutional autonomy for Higher Education institutions. Legislative mechanisms that prevent limits on academic freedom and politicisation of Higher Education institutions should be adopted accordingly.