The European Commission has made a step further in developing an entrepreneurial spirit in education as highlighted in the Lisbon agenda. In late October, a conference organised by the Commission and hosted in Oslo, Norway, discussed Entrepreneurship education in Europe: Fostering entrepreneurial mindsets though education and learning. The conference followed the Commission’s Communication on Implementing the Community Lisbon Programme: Fostering entrepreneurial mindsets through education and learning of February 2006, where entrepreneurship is defined as “an individual’s ability to turn ideas into action” and includes “creativity, innovation and risk taking, as well as the ability to plan and manage projects in order to achieve objectives” (for more about the Commission’s initiative for entrepreneurship education, see ACA Newsletter – Education Europe, February 2006).

In line with the Communication’s aim to approach entrepreneurship education more systematically, the conference focused on all levels of education: from primary school to university. Discussed were policies and good practices in fostering entrepreneurial thinking of young people. The event gathered some 320 participants from 33 countries, who represented national, regional and local governments, the business, and academic circles. Among the proposals, elaborated by six thematic workshops, are:

• a common European platform of projects and teaching material,
• a better integration of programmes and activities in the established curriculum,
• enhanced public-private partnership for entrepreneurship training,
• encouraged mobility of educators across Europe,
• students’ direct involvement in enterprise projects,
• creation of a European Observatory to represent stakeholders in entrepreneurship education and set their targets.

An Oslo agenda for entrepreneurship education is to be published, covering the high number of ideas launched at the conference. European conference on entrepreneurship education (Oslo, 26-27.10.2006)
Commission’s Communication on Fostering entrepreneurial mindsets through education and learning