2010-05-14

On 10 and 11 May 2010, the Concil for Education, Youth and Culture came together in Brussels under the Spanish Presidency. At this session, the Council discussed inter alia the youth dimension of the new Europe 2020 strategy and adopted conclusions on competences supporting lifelong learning and the "new skills for new jobs" initiative.

The discussion concentrated on the main goals foreseen by the Commission within the new strategy. The share of early scholl leavers should be under 10% and at least 40% of the younger people should have a tertiary degree. The member states agreed on defining and implementing these education targets on national level.

When it came to youth, the Council stressed the meaning of an independent Youth policy and confirmed the Commission´s intention to give it a central meaning. Volunteering, mobility and non-formal educationshould be strengthened by this new approach.

Due to the change of government in Britain and the binding requirements of unanimity, the decisions were postponed until the European Council in June.