HC Deb 10 May 1988 vol 133 cc66-7W
Sir Geoffrey Finsberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to assist in the co-operation of the various institutions concerned with education in Europe along the lines envisaged in the cultural convention.

Mr. Dunn

The aims of the cultural convention are realised through the work of the Council for Cultural Cooperation (CDCC), the steering committee, which has, since 1962, been responsible for drawing up and implementing the educational and cultural programmes of the Council of Europe. My Department participates actively in the educational work of the CDCC, generally by representation at formal sessions, and specifically by participation in its projects and activities.

The education programme includes (see table) a wide range of work designed primarily to realise ideals through practical co-operation. This includes disseminating new ideas, techniques and achievements among member states and increasing contacts at all levels between their education systems on issues of major, current concern.

European Education Ministers, who meet regularly under the auspices of the Council of Europe, recognise the need to rationalise the educational programmes of international organisations. The CDCC is to discuss this in June, taking account of the 1986 report of the Colombo Commission on European Co-operation beyond 1990. In response to this report, CDCC has been asked to collaborate with other organisations in developing from existing work up a coherent youth education and training action programme to promote in education a European dimension and a commitment to human rights and to the principles of pluralist democracy.

Table Education programme of the council for cultural co-operation (CDCC): 1988–89

  1. i. European Dimension in Education
    • —pupil mobility and exchanges
    • —teacher bursaries programme
    • —European Schools Day
  2. ii. Teacher Training
    • —selection, education and professional development of teachers
    • —teacher appraisal

Table Education programme of the council for cultural co-operation (CDCC): 1988–89

  1. iii. European University Co-operation
  2. iv. European Research and Documentation
  3. v. Innovation in School Curricula
    • —intercultural education
    • —European History
    • —Human Rights
  4. vi. Adult Education and Social Change
    • —long term unemployment
    • —older citizens
  5. vii. Language Learning and Training of Language Teachers
  6. viii. Schools and Museums