The strongly ICT-oriented European Commission launched yet another online platform this month, with the purpose of giving better visibility and access to its joint actions with the member states, on policy initiatives to reform their higher education systems. The new platform – Knowledge System for Lifelong Learning (KSLLL) – is a support mechanism for the Education and Training 2010 work programme and is based on the belief that exchange of information between member states can facilitate mutual learning and thus advance reforms of the national higher education and training systems.

The online tool is mainly built on the work of the eight peer learning clusters, i.e. groups of member states interested in specific education topics, established through the above mentioned work programme, as well as on the activities of other education-focused working groups. The clusters and groups work through the Open Method of Coordination (OMC), which enables participating member states to reflect on their own national policies, in the context of cooperation within the group, and to learn from the others’ practices.

For now, the platform contains information on: the Education and Training 2010 work programme; peer learning clusters and other groups; peer learning activities; compendia of good practice; and country information. However, the KSLLL will be modified according to the priority areas and working methods of the new Strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training until 2020, and the related work plan, as soon as the latter is set out.

KSLLL