Lifelong Learning

At the Lisbon European Council in March 2000, government leaders set the EU a 10-year mission to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustained economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion. Lifelong learning is a core element of this strategy, central not only to competitiveness and employability but also to social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development.

Following the adoption by the Commission on 21 November 2001 of the Communication on Making a European Area of Lifelong Learning a Reality lifelong learning has become the guiding principle for the development of education and training policy. The Communication sets out concrete proposals that aim to make lifelong learning a reality for all.

ESU's opinion on the matter
Lifelong learning within the European context must be provided in a way that it enhances equality throughout European society. In doing this, lifelong learning will help to promote a wider understanding of what is meant by the European higher education area. It must recognize that there has to be a civic and social element to lifelong learning and as such ought to be based on ethical principles. It ought to be “person-centered” and must not be solely concerned with third party interests. In this way lifelong learning will develop into a commendable and viable option of higher education.

Lifelong learning is going to play an important role in any future European Higher Education Area. Thus it is very important that it must develop in a manner applicable to the whole of Europe. The Bologna Process should therefore reinforce the discussion on the role of HE in the developments in lifelong learning in a wider European Higher Education Area. Students see this process has the way for a wider and maybe even “borderless in every sense” European Higher Education Area.