Following the EU Presidency’s takeover on 1 January (see ACA Newsletter-Education Europe, December 2020), Portugal has started its work under three main priorities: a European recovery boosted by green and digital transition, a strategic autonomy of Europe and the implementation of the European Union’s social pillar.

In the field of education and training, highlighted under the third pillar, the Presidency will emphasize “lifelong learning, qualifications and skills recognition, innovative teaching methods, inclusion and citizenship”. The related objectives are the following:  

• The strengthening of higher education networks, with a focus on European University alliances.
  
• The support to mobility and ‘brain circulation’ and the establishment of the European education area (EEA) by 2025.
• The design of a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training, as well as initiatives under the New Skills Agenda for Europe and the new Digital Education Action Plan. 
• The strengthening of EU support for young refugees and forcibly displaced persons in higher education. 

In the Presidency context and with the aim of strengthening the European Social Pillar, the Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will host the EU Social Summit in Porto on 7-8 May 2021. The summit will focus on areas of employment, qualifications and social protection. 

The European Research Area (ERA) will be the main focus in the field of research with a highlight: the launch of Horizon Europe on 2 February. The Portuguese Presidency will also encourage the coordination of efforts and synergies between European scientific, technological and innovation communities. 

More details 

EU Presidency