What is the fuss all about? The Commission has proposed a framework for the new Educational programmes 2007-2013. The proposal is now in its consultation phase, which is a lenghty affair. Perhaps it is time to have a look at what was originally proposed.

As with most new suggestions, also the proposed new educational programmes will see a lot of alterations and adjusmnets by all sorts or actors, before finally reaching its implementation phase. To make it brief, the new proposal includes several good suggestions and ideas, that, if approved, would improve visibility and funding for non-formal adult education. The crux, as usual, is the funding. The whole package is costly, and Parliament has been wary to approve increases. That is why we should keep monitoring the development, and stay alert. Let's make a short recap; On 14 July 2004, the Commission adopted a proposal for the next generation of an EU programme in the field of lifelong learning. The new proposal is built on experience gathered with the existing generation of programmes, such as Socrates (education) and Leonardo da Vinci (vocational training). Based on this experience, and taking into account new policy developments, the Commission proposes major changes. These changes are mainly the result, on one hand, of critical remarks offered in the mid-term evaluation reports on Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci, and, on the other, of a public consultation process launched in November 2002 and concluded at the end of February 2003, in which all major stakeholders in the field of education and training had the opportunity to participate.

The new Integrated Action Programme in the field of lifelong learning comprises sectoral programmes on school education (Comenius), higher education (Erasmus), vocational training (Leonardo da Vinci) and adult education (Grundtvig), and is completed by transversal measures and an additional Jean Monnet programme focusing on European integration. The proposed budget is € 13.62 billion for the total period 2007-2013.

The aim of the new programme is to contribute through lifelong learning to the development of the Community as an advanced knowledge society, with sustainable economic development, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion. It aims to foster interaction, cooperation and mobility between education and training systems within the Community, so that they become a world quality reference.

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