• Spain wants to promote European values, strengthen inclusion and the digitalization process.
• The Destine project shares common values that the Council wants to promote during this semester.

Last Saturday, July 1, Spain assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, and within its program of priorities for this semester, three initiatives in the field of education stand out: the promotion of European values, the strengthening of inclusion and digitalization. This was one of the topics discussed during Finnova’s visit last June 21 to the Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU in Brussels, which included the intervention of the Councilor for Education in the Representation Carmen Bermúdez Rojas-Marcos.

The first of the initiatives focuses on boosting higher education, vocational training and lifelong learning, especially in the framework of the European Year of Skills. These areas will be strengthened to underpin Europe’s image and strength as a global player in the new world order, within the so-called Open Strategic Autonomy. This is a strategy aimed at guaranteeing the EU’s economic security and global leadership, and is in line with the priorities set by the Spanish executive for this stage at the helm of the European project. 

The second line of action will focus on strengthening European values and citizenship. In this case, this objective is related to the development of the European Pillar of Social Rights, a plan that establishes measures to be implemented throughout the decade and which revolves around three chapters: equal opportunities and access to the labor market, fair working conditions and social protection and inclusion.

Finally, the Spanish presidency will advocate support for better policies, access and quality in digital education. Within this commitment to digitalization, one of the key areas will be the promotion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers among female students.

The objectives of the Spanish presidency of the Council of the European Union in the field of education are in line with the aims of the Destine project. The values to be promoted during this semester are shared by the partners that make up Destine, such as tolerance, diversity and inclusion.

About DESTINE

The Erasmus DESTINE (DivErSity and Tolerance IN E-Environment) project was born with the aim of promoting an online Vocational Training that guarantees support for diversity, inclusion and tolerance, providing the necessary tools so that all professionals and students can adapt to the e-learning methodology. DESTINE focuses especially on those vocational training students who need a learning environment adapted to their needs.

About ERASMUS +                           

Erasmus+ 2021-2027 is the European Union’s renewed programme in the fields of education and training, youth and sport, offering opportunities for all people and in all education sectors (School Education, Professional Training, Higher Education and Adult Education). This new Erasmus+ is more international, more inclusive, more digital and greener, supporting digital transformation, inclusion and diversity, as well as the environment and the fight against climate change. With a budget of more than €28 billion, it will fund learning-related mobility and cross-border cooperation projects for 10 million people of all ages and from all backgrounds.

“This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.”