Press Releases
Education
Researchers' Night: events in 350 cities for cosmic girls and boys
27/09/2012
You can wait 75 years for a glimpse of Halley's comet, but did you know you can make one yourself in just a few minutes? All it takes is a mixture of day-old dry ice, water, mud and a few other components - and you have a comet of your very own. How cosmic is that? Learning how to make a comet with space scientists in London, creating a cloud with meteorologists in Bolzano, Italy. and exploring the San Antonio volcano with geologists in the Canary Islands are just a few of the highlights of the 7th Researchers' Night, taking place at a host of venues throughout Europe tomorrow evening (28 September).
Children in Europe start learning foreign languages at an increasingly early age
20/09/2012
Children are starting to learn foreign languages at an increasingly early age in Europe, with most pupils beginning when they are 6-9 years old, according to a report published by the European Commission.
High level group to focus on excellence in teaching
18/09/2012
Higher education is crucial for developing the knowledge and skills that Europe needs to compete in the world economy, but Member States are not investing enough to modernise their higher education systems. A new High Level Group on the Modernisation of Higher Education, launched by the European Commission today, will address this issue as part of a comprehensive three-year review of the sector across the European Union.
Report highlights major geographic disparities in education
13/09/2012
Where you live in Europe can strongly influence your education and prospects in life, according to a new European Commission report. The report, entitled 'Mind the Gap - education inequality across EU regions', highlights significant disparities in education opportunities and results across - and within - Member States.
Ageing teachers a challenge for EU education sector
11/09/2012
The European Commission today welcomed the launch of Education at a Glance 2012, an annual report providing data from 34 countries including 21 EU Member States (list below) on performance in education. The report, compiled by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), identifies several areas in European education that are likely to create challenges in the near future.
Commissioner Vassiliou opens EU Youth Conference in Cyprus
10/09/2012
Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, and George Demosthenous, Cypriot Minister of Education and Culture, will open the EU Youth Conference in Nicosia on 11 September. The Commissioner will present the results of the EU Youth Report (IP/12/948) which calls for further measures to tackle youth unemployment and to increase social inclusion and dialogue with young people. The Conference is part of the so-called ‘structured dialogue’ aimed at giving youth representatives a say over the policies which affect them. It is expected to adopt joint recommendations on youth participation and social inclusion. To find out more: DG Education and Culture, Twitter @VassiliouEU
Report reveals wide fluctuations in cost of higher education and support for students
10/09/2012
The cost of higher education for students varies dramatically in Europe, according to a new report issued by the European Commission today. Tuition fees are highest in England, where students pay up to £9 000 (around €11 500) per academic year, while nine countries (Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Malta, Norway, UK (Scotland) and Sweden) do not charge fees in most cases.
EU Youth Report calls for employment and social inclusion to be top priority
10/09/2012
The EU Youth Report published today calls for youth employment, social inclusion, health and the well-being of young people to be top priorities in Europe's youth policy. The report, which is produced every three years by the Commission, underlines that the EU and Member States must do more to support young people, who have borne the brunt of the economic crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions on the European Commission's literacy policy and report by the High-Level Group of Experts on Literacy
06/09/2012
Member States have a shared interest in improving literacy standards for both children and adults. Improving reading literacy was one of the first objectives of the Commission's 'Education and Training' work programme, launched in 2002, and this objective was re-confirmed as a priority for 2010-2020.
High-level group issues 'wake-up call' for Member States to address literacy crisis
06/09/2012
The European Union needs to overhaul its approach to improving literacy standards, according to a high-level group of experts set up by European Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou to address the issue. One in five 15 year olds, as well as nearly 75 million adults, lack basic reading and writing skills, which makes it hard for them to get a job and increases their risk of poverty and social exclusion.
Commission urges Member States to recognise skills gained outside school and university
05/09/2012
As part of its strategy for creating jobs and growth, the European Commission has launched an initiative to boost the recognition of skills and competences gained outside school or university. The Commission's proposal aims to increase job opportunities in particular for the young unemployed and those with few formal qualifications such as older and low-skilled workers. It also seeks to increase access to higher education, especially among mature students.
Culture
Commission launches strategy to boost growth and jobs in cultural and creative sectors
26/09/2012
The European Commission today presented a strategy to unlock the full potential of the cultural and creative sectors in the EU to boost jobs and growth.
Paphos to be the European Capital of Culture in Cyprus in 2017
14/09/2012
The Cypriot city of Paphos was recommended today for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2017 by an independent selection panel. The other Cypriot city in contention was Nicosia.
European Heritage Days: 50 countries open rarely seen sites
03/09/2012
Over the coming month, more than 20 million people are expected to take advantage of free access to thousands of rarely opened sites and special events as part of the European Heritage Days, which take place every September in 50 countries across Europe.
Sport
EU Sport Forum: Sport leaders and Ministers step up fight against match-fixing
18/09/2012
Representatives of Europe's sport movement and Sport Ministers will pledge to step up their fight against match-fixing when they meet at the EU Sport Forum, organised by the European Commission in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 19-20 September. They are expected to endorse a 'Declaration on the fight against match-fixing'.
Multilingualism
Multilingualism in Europe: Commissioner Vassiliou presents European Language Label awards
27/09/2012
Five projects which have shown outstanding performance in promoting the teaching and learning of languages were honoured today at the first 'European Language Label of the Labels Awards'.
European Day of Languages: multilingual magic, from speak-dating and cocktails to fun in the library 'bath'
25/09/2012
No-one will be lost for words: from a multilingual 'speak-dating' session in Prague, to a world café in Sofia, a rap challenge in Åarhus, European languages cocktail bar in Budapest, foreign language poetry evening in Cardiff and a 'linguistic bath' at 30 libraries in Berlin – these are just a few of the highlights of the European Day of Languages, taking place at venues throughout Europe tomorrow, 26 September.
