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LLLP is partner in Erasmus Careers, a European Project supported by the European Commission that aims to evaluate the impact of Erasmus+ mobility on students’ career development. We invite you to participate in a Career Counsellor Needs Assessment Survey as part of the project. Your insights regarding the career services and support provided by your institution to assist mobile students throughout their different stages of mobility are invaluable to us. This survey, taking no more than 2 minutes to complete, will significantly contribute to creating a comprehensive guide for career counsellors focusing on the internationalization of career services. Primarily intended for career counsellors in European Universities assisting students across all levels of mobility or seeking to enhance such services, this survey ensures anonymity for all responses. If you believe this questionnaire could benefit your colleagues or individuals within your network, we encourage you to share it with them. Their perspectives would greatly contribute to our research. You may access the survey here: Survey Link Thank you sincerely for your valuable contribution and support. The Erasmus Careers’ team

On 11 December 2023, members of the Lifelong Learning Platform gathered online for an Extraordinary General Assembly (EGA). The main reason for this EGA was to modify LLLP’s statutes and comply with a new Belgian law for companies and associations, essentially modifying terminology. At the same time, since the formal approval of the membership was necessary, the EGA also approved changes to the English version of the statutes and introduced gender quotas for Steering Committee members: from now on, the Steering Committee shall be composed by at least 50% of individuals identified as women in its global composition (excluding the President). Finally, this was also the opportunity to fill in a vacant position in the Steering Committee, following the resignation of Matteo Vespa for professional reasons. The membership voted in favour of Prof Balázs Németh (with a nomination from eucen) to join the Steering Committee until 2026. Welcome!

The European Parliament elections in 2019 will take place all over Europe during 23 – 26 May 2019. Do you plan to go and vote? Tell us here: http://ttimv.eu/LLLP The Lifelong Learning Platform is partners with the European Parliament in their ‘This time I’m voting’ campaign, whose aim is to bring Europeans to vote and democratically choose their next representatives at the European Parliament. At LLLP, we strongly believe that active citizenship can be fostered in healthy education systems, and that indeed a ‘learning democracy’ is the ideal hub to exercise the right to vote. Because of this, the LLLP has set its annual theme on ‘Learning democracy, values, and participation‘, to address the potential of the year of the elections and discuss the role of education in making self-conscious citizens. Interested to know more? here is what the LLLPlatform is planning for 2019: LLLAwards 2019: to recognise and reward excellent initiative in the topic of choice. The LLLAwards 2019 will run from 25 February to 31 August. Apply here. On behalf of the EESC, LLLP is taking forward a study to understand where EU youth stands cis-à-vis of the EU. Learn more here. Peer-Learning Activity on “Promoting common values and inclusive education through cooperation between education institutions and civil society”, in Croatia on 5-7 April. Yo!Fest 2019. In the framework of the Yo!Fest, LLLP and EEE-YFU will have a debate on education, democracy, and young people on 30 April. Stay tuned! Election night: for the night of May 26th, LLLP and other NGOs will gather in front of the European Parliament to celebrate EU democracy. Learn more. The Civil Society Days will see a strong focus on EU values and democracy. LLLP will chair one of the events organised under the EESC umbrella. Read more. LLLP Annual Conference on “Learning democracy, values, and participation’, in Brussels on 19-20 June. Read more. LLLWeek 2019, on the topic, will assess our takeaways from this intense year! This is what LLLP is doing for Europe. But what is Europe doing for its citizens? Find out here!

What does it take for our democracy to be defined as “learning democracy”? We live in a society that takes democracy for granted, that only values it when it’s time to go to vote. Instead, we should be learning to appreciate – and foster! – democratic values daily; citizens should be empowered to keep democratic institutions and structures alive, in an ever-learning attitude that values education and lifelong learning all along. Because of this, the Lifelong Learning Platform and the European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) have started a campaign to raise awareness about the need to go back to the foundations of our societies, and at the same time increase the role and value of education in our lives. The campaign will revolve around the online series of videos titled #myEUstory, where Europeans (and beyond) tell us their personal story, in an attempt to share reasons to develop the learning dimension of our societies and wake consciousnesses in the continent. There are a few axis around which a true “Learning Democracy” is implemented and the two NGOs. Our end-of-campaign concept Civic Engagement Sometimes we take our democracies for granted. Sometimes we forget that civic engagement is what got us this far. Democracy and Transparency “I didn’t expect such openness and transparency and willingness to share everything that the Parliament is doing for the people”. Maryna shared her EU story, and she learned that the transparency of institutions is crucial to a well-functioning democracy. Especially ahead of the #EUElections. Fake news and Disinformation Fake news and disinformation are a real threat to our societies. Flavio tells us his personal side of the story and how continuous learning remains crucial to get rid of disinformation. Civic Participation Democracy and civic participation are not only practiced during elections! Here’s why the Erasmus+ Programme is capital to a healthy and Learning Democracy Populism Populism is affecting European institutions as well as daily life in most of our countries. But populism is first and foremost fought through solid education systems, that value intercultural exchanges and non-formal learning! Learn why it’s important to strive for a LearningDemocracy Activism Democracy is not only practised during elections. The most important part comes in daily life when engaged citizens are active in their society. Learning Mobility Serena tells us why the Erasmus+ programme is the best tool for intercultural exchanges and learning mobility. Work mobility In Europe it is so easy to move to another country to work! Josipa tells us how European programmes facilitate the start of her young career. Understanding Democracy How many times we’ve tried to define democracy and LearningDemocracy? In the last video of our campaign myEUstory we try to understand democracy in its finest dimension.

On 3rd February 2015, the first General Assembly of the European Civil Society Platform for Lifelong Learning (now Lifelong Learning Platform) took place. Since then, a lot has happened: through this visual campaign, LLLP wishes to look back at what we were and have a look at what we have become now. We will do so through infographics, quotes and cards, so make sure to follow us on social media ( Twitter , Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn ) because a lot will happen over there. In case you have missed them, check out our infographics below

Recent trends in privatisation and marketisation of education and training tend to favour a vision of education as an individual and consumable good. This ongoing process has sought to push education in the direction of human capital formation and job preparation. Education is brashly depicted as an industry, as a source of profits and a zone of competitiveness. Moreover, throughout the past few years, public investment in education and training has decreased: The concept of education as common good marks a disjuncture to this narrative, highlighting the purposes of education as a collective societal endeavour. In this perspective, education can be articulated as the result of a process of co-production among all components of society and not a reflection of private interests. Funding in education, training and lifelong learning opportunities should focus specifically on fair access, vulnerable groups and inclusion in representation. That’s why, for this years’ annual campaign, LLLP is focusing on investment in education and training. Specifically, LLLP’s aim is to collectively call for a reform in public funding for education and training: Make your voice heard and support LLLPs campaign by signing our charter ! As part of our campaign on investment in education and training, we have put together an extensive study on the current state of investments, challenges faced and future prospects. While the value of quality education and training is strongly acknowledged across EU Member States, it remains the case that public expenditure has failed to recover to pre-financial crisis levels at the EU level. Our study tracks the extent to which public expenditure on education and training has changed over time and puts forth the case for a marked increase in levels of public expenditure as a necessary policy tool for addressing the economic and social fallout of Covid-19. We provide insight into: The crucial role of public funding in education and training 2008 – 2015: Public expenditure in education and training under threat 2016 – 2020: No return to pre financial crisis levels of expenditure The true cost of the decrease in public expenditure for education and training Re-writing the European fiscal rules

The Platform aims to voice citizen’s concerns about lifelong learning. The idea is that no one should be left out and that bridges are built across sectors to increase access to quality education for all. The Platform promotes a holistic vision of lifelong learning, “from cradle to grave”. Today the pattern school-work-retirement is no longer the norm, so it is important to make sure we help people in their life transitions. Learning is not limited to formal education: it also integrates non-formal and informal learning. In order to achieve its goals, the Lifelong Learning Platform advocates towards the European Institutions by sharing its views on various issues related to education and to the participation of civil society in public debates. In our policy section you will find our main policy papers and strategies. The LLLPlatform grounds its work on the inputs of its members. It has several working groups running and participates in civil society coalitions. It takes part in EU projects that support its political strategy in order to provide evidence and solutions to key educational challenges. LLLP also runs regular surveys and conducts researchers to develop its capacity to provide evidence-based solutions to policy makers. You will find more information on those activities in the following pages: EU projects Erasmus+ Survey LLL Interest Group Working Groups Partnerships for civil dialogue

The Lifelong Learning Platform is an umbrella that gathers 44 European organizations active in the field of education, training and youth, coming from all over Europe and beyond. Currently these networks represent more than 50 000 educational institutions and associations covering all sectors of formal, non-formal and informal learning. Their members reach out to several millions of beneficiaries. What’s the Lifelong Learning Platform all about? The Platform aims to voice citizens’ concerns about lifelong learning. The idea is that no one should be left out and that bridges are built across sectors to increase access to quality education for all. The Platform promotes a holistic vision of lifelong learning, “from cradle to grave”. Today the pattern school-work-retirement is no longer the norm, so it is important to make sure we help people in their life transitions. Learning is not limited to formal education: it also integrates non-formal and informal learning. This vision is meant to ensure equity and social cohesion as well as active citizenship. The Lifelong Learning Platform believes that the objectives of education and training should not only be described in terms of employability or economic growth but also as a framework for personal development. By bringing together actors from all sectors of education and training, the Lifelong Learning Platform creates a space to exchange innovative practices, Europe-wide. By doing so, it contributes to an increased flexibility between systems, and proposes concrete solutions to make lifelong learning a reality for all. The Platform also strives to set up a strengthened dialogue between civil society organisations and public authorities in order to modernise our educational systems as well as to support public sector innovation.

The LLLWeek 2023 was dedicated to LLLP’s theme of the year: “Key Comptecences for All: a Lifelong Learning Approach to Skills”: addressing a topic that is strictly linked ot the European Year of Skills offered LLLP members the opportunity to re-formulate some of Europe’s most pressing issues. The 13th edition of the LLLWeek took place on 27 November to 1 December, under the patronage of MEP Dragoş Pîslaru (Chair of the EMPL Committee and a champion of lifelong learning!).

The LLLWeek 2023 was dedicated to LLLP’s theme of the year: “Key Comptecences for All: a Lifelong Learning Approach to Skills”: addressing a topic that is strictly linked ot the European Year of Skills offered LLLP members the opportunity to re-formulate some of Europe’s most pressing issues. The 13th edition of the LLLWeek took place on 27 November to 1 December, under the patronage of MEP Dragoş Pîslaru (Chair of the EMPL Committee and a champion of lifelong learning!). Some figures about this 13th edition? In total, 25 events and workshops organised by LLLP and its members took place during the LLLWeek (including 3 receptions): a record for the LLLWeek! We managed to engage 12 Members of the European Parliament, as well as countless representatives of the European Commission. In particular, the European Lifelong Learning Stakeholders’ Forum was a milestone for the LLLWeek and LLLP’s partnerhsip with the European Commission. Over 1200 participants registered to partake in this milestone activity that, thanks to the contribution and engagement of civil society organisations, policy-makers, and education stakeholders at large, has truly become a momentous event in the European agenda.

With the Lifelong Learning Awards, LLLP takes a stand to celebrate creative and inclusive practices in education and training. The aim of the Lifelong Learning Award is to give visibility to innovative practices taking place all over Europe in order to attract public attention on lifelong learning as well as to inspire new practices and policies. This year, we follow our annula theme on “Key Competences for All: a Lifelong Learning Approach on Skills“. Because of the large topic, categories and applications were very broad and encompassed lots of cross-sectoral issues. And the winners are… Best practice at the Learner Level: JOBREADY accompanies learners in every step of career guidance, with plenty of insights and tips. It helps citizens identify their soft skills, adapt curricula, and helps everyone bridge the education and the employment world with an innovative approach. Learn more here . Best practice at the Provider Level: SEEDS – EntrEpreneurship Seeds for Sustainable Development, by Keep Association The SEEDS Project aims to promote the reinforcement of skills of 8th-year students from the Góis School Group and the Sabugal School Group and raise awareness of endogenous resources and sustainability through the creation of a school seed bank and the production of a exhibition about agricultural practices in two regions of the Natura 2000 Network in Central Portugal. Discover the project here . Best practice at the Systemic Level : THE STARVING ARTIST Bringing about systemic change, The Starving Artist initiative empowers people through creative arts, putting lived-in experiences at the forefront of systemic reform. It aims to promote authentic and vulnerable engagement discourse and bring about change within current systems platforming people-centered solutions. Their focus is on championing emerging voices from the creative arts and teaching individuals to explore their experiences and express themselves creatively. See more here . All of this, thanks to an outstanding Jury ! Meet the members of the Jury who awarded the winning practices on November 27th, during the Lifelong Learning Stakeholders Forum!

Worldwide, in the recent years following the pandemic we have seen violence rising, inequalities increasing along with the polarisation of society and a lack of intergenerational understanding and support. These trends are the more worrisome as they hit young people and children: violations of Human Rights across Europe and the globe are on the rise, accompanied by hate speech and violence in and outside of schools, fueling the spiral of polarisation and violence. Since 2018, such trends are discussed in the framework of the annual Paris Peace Forum. This global gathering of world leaders is exploring the way in which global governance can promote peace, and took place on 10-11 November. This year’s theme, ‘Seeking Common Ground in a World of Rivalry’, has not addressed peace education, failing to consider how rivalry and competition are fostered in education and training systems in the absence of competences promoted by Peace Education. The Lifelong Learning Platform urges the European Union and its Member States, the United Nations and the Council of Europe to take immediate actions to raise the profile of education for peace and tolerance in a lifelong learning approach as the sole and best response to violence, war and conflict. To this end, the importance of Peace Education becomes apparent. Peace education is a fundamental aspect of lifelong learning that transcends political boundaries and ideologies. It emphasises and cultivates understanding, empathy, and conflict-resolution skills, aiming to promote harmonious coexistence in an increasingly interconnected world. Lifelong learning promotes a holistic approach that recognises the importance of continuous education and learning throughout one’s life. Its emphasis on non-formal and informal methodologies has been acknowledged as pivotal in building and rebuilding communities and strengthening societies. We firmly believe that peace education, guided by the principles of lifelong learning, is essential for a prosperous and harmonious global community. Principles that guide peace education include: Conflict Resolution Skills: Peace education equips individuals with essential conflict resolution skills. Through lifelong learning, people can develop the ability to address disagreements and disputes in a constructive and nonviolent manner. Empathy and Understanding: Value-driven lifelong learning fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives. This, in turn, promotes tolerance and inclusivity, helping to bridge gaps in a divided world. Global Citizenship: Peace education encourages the development of responsible global citizens by developing knowledge and values that motivate learners to take action within their capacity. It instils values that transcend political and cultural differences, emphasising our shared humanity and interconnectedness. Prevention of Violence: By educating individuals on the principles of peace, we can reduce the likelihood of violence and conflict. This approach offers a path towards sustainable peace by addressing root causes and promoting social harmony. Cultural Sensitivity: Lifelong learning in the context of peace education encourages intercultural dialogue, cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse traditions. This promotes a sense of unity that transcends political boundaries and prejudices. Systems and critical thinking: The development of life skills and key competences for lifelong learning in the context of peace can contribute to an understanding of historical path dependencies, injustices and the influence of local actions in a global context. Through such an understanding peacebuilding interactions can be fostered and polarisation can be reduced. These principles are at the core of the learning community’s work, as civil society in education and training built a framework for individuals and communities to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to a more peaceful, inclusive, and understanding world. Civil society advanced principles such as global citizenship education (GCE) within institutional commitments such as the Declaration on Global Education to 2050, but also through numerous standalone initiatives, especially GCE curricula through digital storytelling, intercultural training activities, game-based learning on democracy. As part of GCE, civil society spearheaded mainstreaming peace education in all levels, sectors and formats of learning. Training on peace education, linkages between history education and peace, tools and materials to promote peace education in formal education, methodologies of adult education for peace activism, and training for trainers on implementing intercultural, democratic and peace education programmes are only some examples from the learning community. Mainstreaming peace education requires safe environments in which all have key competences for dialogue, such as cultural sensitivity, critical thinking or practising empathy. Tools to establish safe environment include: a guide to facilitate multi-perspective discussions in formal education a guide for using of oral histories in learning activities to bring forward family traditions, ceremonies and rituals, to knowledge of the environment, to religious and spiritual experiences a toolbox for intercultural learning a methodology for dialogic gatherings being used in schools an initiative to promote debating in formal education Peace education does not stop at prevention, as it touches on how learners cope with conflict and its implications. Therefore, resources, such as ‘Heroes cry too’, have an invaluable potential to support learners in dark moments. In this context, LLLPlatform calls for: Mainstreaming peace education cross-curricularly in formal education, strengthening links between formal, non-formal and informal learning to ensure a constant practice of peace education in a life-wide learning approach Providing meaningful opportunities for initial training and continuous professional development for educators on leading dialogue, promoting diversity and viewing learners as equal partners in the learning. These opportunities should not be limited only to available courses but should consider educators’ working conditions, especially time and financial resources for training Implementing the Council Recommendation on the Validation of Non-formal and Informal Learning to ensure that peace competences are treated on an equal footing with all key competences required by learners to strive in current societies Increasing funding in education and training at EU and national level, ensuring structural and sustainable funding sources specifically for peace education initiatives that goes beyond project-based funding Boosting collaboration among all education and training stakeholders in policy making considering how all share responsibility in any peace-related process.