HL Deb 11 July 2001 vol 626 cc82-4WA
Baroness Gould of Potternewton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What the outcome was of the Education and Youth Council held in Brussels on 28 May; and whether they will make a statement. [HL293]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)

The UK was represented at the Education and Youth Council by Baroness Blackstone, then Minister for Education and Employment in the Lords, Jane Davidson AM, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning and Paul Boateng, who was then Deputy Home Secretary and Minister for Young People.

Education

The Council discussed the follow-up to the report on concrete future objectives of education and training systems (presented to the Stockholm European Council in March 2001) and agreed Conclusions which identified: basic skills; ICT; and mathematics, science and technology as priority areas for early work.

The Council adopted a Resolution on the role of education and training in employment related policies.

The Council reached political agreement on the adoption of the draft Recommendation on mobility for students, persons undergoing training, volunteers, teachers and trainers, on the basis of the Council's common position as amended by the European Parliament at second reading.

The Council adopted a Resolution on eLearning. In addition, the Commission presented its eLearning Action Plan.

The Council received information from the Presidency on: the conference of European Education Ministers to be held in Riga on the theme eLearn for Life; the Commission's plans for future co-operation with third countries in the field of education and training; progress of the European Year of Languages; and the development of a European Curriculum Vitae.

Youth

The Council received information from the Commission about consultations which had taken place on the proposed White Paper for Youth Policy. The Council reaffirmed its commitment to the publication of the Commission's White Paper in the Autumn.

The Council adopted a Resolution on combating racism and xenophobia on the Internet; and a Resolution on promoting the initiative, enterprise and creativity of young people.

A copy of the Council minutes will be placed in the Library in due course.