EDUCATION : COUNCIL SETS OUT THE KEY SKILLS REQUIRED IN A GLOBALISED WORLD.

Member states will henceforth be guided in the development of their education policies by an agreed list of key skills or competences that their citizens need to possess, if they are to compete successfully in a knowledge-based economy.

The list, described as a reference framework,' was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 18 December, and sets out eight such competences - namely communication in the mother tongue, communication in foreign languages, mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology, digital competence, learning to learn, social and civic competences, sense of initiative and entrepreneurship, and cultural awareness and expression.

According to the document, each of these competences will be required if individuals are to "adapt flexibly to a rapidly changing and highly interconnected world". The idea is that, by the end of their initial education and training, all young people should have developed them "to a level that equips them for adult life," while adults should be able to develop and further update them throughout their lives.

Detail is provided on what constitutes each of the competences, including a breakdown of the essential knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to possess each one. References to a need for an understanding of ethical issues are made several times - notably relating to science, the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and entrepreneurship.

EU KNOWLEDGE

As far as civic competence is concerned, it is explained that this is based on knowledge of the...

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