The European Education Area is important for education but equally important for economic growth, for jobs and the best instrument to strengthen European identity. Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca made these remarks when presenting the opinion of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Achieving the European Education Area by 2025.
"While local and regional authorities' remits in the field of education vary widely from one Member State to another, they have direct and comprehensive ties to the communities where education policies shaped at European level are implemented and where those policies have a direct impact. Therefore, the strategic objectives of the European Education Area need to be matched with clear, identifiable financial resources available to local and regional authorities", said rapporteur Emil Boc, who served as Prime Minister of Romania between 2008 and 2012.
MEP Michaela Šojdrová (EPP Group), European Parliament's rapporteur on the European Education Area, said: "I believe we all share the idea that high quality education is an answer to the current and future challenges, including digital and green transitions. But it was hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. I intend to put forward a European Parliament report that will be realistic and will aim at common strategy towards the European Education Area, shared and implemented by all institutions and actors at European, national and local level."
Mr Boc's opinion points out that regions and cities can help to identify regional education needs and promote specific policies which take account of local circumstances. Particular focus should be on reducing current education disparities between rural and urban areas, stages in the education system and educational establishments. Poor education is generally linked to poverty and inadequate individual resources and is a key factor behind brain drain.
The opinion also highlights the importance of building strategic partnerships between local and regional authorities and their universities, as well as other formal and non-formal education and training establishments. This would help provide much-needed lifelong learning programmes for upskilling and reskilling to enable people to stay or enter a fast changing labour market in the green and digital transitions.
Csaba Borboly, President of Harghita County Council said that Local and Regional Authorities play a significant role in supporting education, workforce integration and skills related initiatives on local level. "The European Commission needs to guarantee the steps to build direct links with interested stakeholders, as well as to fast-track funds to LRAs for programs and pilot projects for the elaboration of local strategies, initiatives and action plans in this area." he said.
