3rd European Symposium (19-20 June 2007, Brussels)

“Learning Matters: Symposium on the Future Perspectives of European Education and Training for Growth, Jobs and Social Cohesion”

At a time of major societal changes and challenges within Europe and internationally, education and training do not only contribute to current social, political, economic and cultural development processes, but also build the intellectual foundations, skills and resources for dealing with future challenges, foreseen as well as unexpected. Generating in-depth, shared understanding of such complex challenges and providing an improved knowledge base for decisions on relevant strategies and policies, requires an improved scientific understanding of education and training structures and processes and of the powerful interconnections of learning with other policy fields.

In this context, the European Network of Experts on Economics of Education (EENEE) and the Network of Experts on Social Sciences of Education and Training (NESSE) are currently supporting the Commission in the analysis of education and training policies and reforms and of their implications at national, regional and European level. In close cooperation with DG-EAC, these two networks of independent experts will participate in a first joint symposium in Brussels on 19 and 20 June 2007. This event is a follow-up activity to the 2006 Commission's Communication on the Efficiency and Equity in European Education and Training Systems and to the main concerns expressed by Education Ministers in the relevant Council Conclusions as well as to the reorientations from the European Council for the revised Lisbon strategy and the future perspectives of education and training systems.

The symposium will bring together policy makers from the European and national levels, with researchers from DG-EAC's two networks of experts. Two representatives from the ministries of education and training have been invited. A large number of European-level stakeholder organisations will participate in the discussions and will contribute the practical stakeholder's viewpoint. Representatives of the social partners will participate. Also other actors and international organisations such as the OECD, the European Investment Bank, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, CEDEFOP, Eurydice, the Council of Europe, and the ETF. The programme includes presentations from both researchers and policy-makers. In order to increase interaction, each presentation from a researcher will be followed by a presentation by a policy maker and both will be followed by a broader debate.

Below, you will find the programme of the symposium, with links to the presentations given. A summary of the presentations and discussions, is available following this link.

3rd European Symposium

"Learning Matters: Symposium on the Future Perspectives of European Education and Training for Growth, Jobs and Social Cohesion"

Organized by the Organized by DG-EAC of the European Commission and supported by the European Expert Network on Economics of Education (EENEE) and the Network of Experts in the Social Sciences of Education and Training (NESSE)

19-20 June 2007
Conference Centre Albert Borschette
36, Rue Froissard - Brussels

 

TUESDAY 19 JUNE (14:00-18:00)

14:30-14:45 Introduction by Odile Quintin, Director-General of the DG-EAC

14:45-15:45 SESSION 1: CONTRIBUTION OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO INNOVATION AND GROWTH

Chair: Prof. Bártolo Campos, Ministry of Education/University of Porto, Portugal (PT Presidency)

"Contribution of Education and Training to Innovation and Growth"
Presenter 1: Prof. Ludger Woessmann (EENEE), (IFO Institute for Economic Research, University of Munich, Germany) [Presentation]

"Education and the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs"
Presenter 2: Gert Jan Koopman, Director for Industrial Policy and Economic Reforms (DG-ENTR) [Presentation]

Discussion

15:45-16:00 Coffee break

16:00-17:00 SESSION 2: DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES, IMMIGRATION, AND THE CONTRIBUTION OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO SOCIAL COHESION

Chair: Martin Rømer, European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE)

"Contribution of Education and Training to Social Cohesion"
Presenter 1: Prof. Roger Dale ((NESSE), University of Auckland (NZ) and University of Bristol) [Presentation]


Presenter 2: X. Prats Monné Director for Employment, Lisbon Strategy, International Relations (DG-EMPL) [speech not available]

Discussion

17:00-18:00 SESSION 3: CONTRIBUTION OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

Chair: Henri Bogaert, Chairman of the Economic Policy Committee Ageing Working Party

"The Fiscal Returns to Schooling in the EU"
Presenter 1: Prof. Angel de la Fuente (EENEE, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) [Presentation]

"Education and the Quality of Public Finances"
Presenter 2: Fabienne Ilzkovitz Head of Unit in the Directorate for Structural Reforms and Lisbon Strategy-Economic Evaluation (DG-ECFIN) [Presentation]

Discussion

20:00 Dinner

 

WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE

9:30-10:30 SESSION 4: INEQUALITIES AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION: THE CONTRIBUTION OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO SOCIAL INCLUSION AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION

Chair: Elise Willame, Chair of the Social Protection Committee

"Equality of Condition as a Pre-requisite for a dynamic and inclusive education"
Presenter 1: Prof. Kathleen Lynch (NESSE, University College Dublin) [Presentation]

"The Contribution of Education and Training to Social Inclusion and Social Integration"
Presenter 2: Maria Da Graça Carvalho (Bureau of European Policy Advisers (BEPA)) [Presentation]

Discussion

10:30-11:50 Coffee break

10:50-11:50 SESSION 5: CONTRIBUTION OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO EMPLOYMENT

Chair: Emilio Gabaglio, Chairman of the Employment Committee

"The (Causal) Impact of Education on Employment and Wages"
Presenter 1: Prof. Francis Kramarz (EENEE, Département de recherches, CREST-INSEE, Paris ) [Presentation]

"The Contribution of Education and Training to Employment"
Presenter 2: Matthew Higham (BUSINESSEUROPE (previously UNICE)) [Presentation]

Discussion

11:50-12:50 SESSION 6: CONTRIBUTION OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO THE OVERALL LISBON OBJECTIVES

Chair: Mirko Zorman, Ministry of Education, Slovenia (SI Presidency)

Presenter 1: Prof. Maria João Rodrigues (Special Advisor to the European Commission) [speech not available]

Presenter 2: Michel Servoz (Director for Better Regulation and Coordination, the European Commission's Secretariat-General) [speech not available]

Discussion

12:50-13:00 CONCLUSIONS BY DAVID WHITE, DIRECTOR FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING POLICIES (DG-EAC)

13:00 Buffet Lunch