Page 8 - european-lifelong-guidance-policies-progress-report

Summary

Executive summary

The European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network Section 1 outlines the structure, processes and
(ELGPN) aims to assist the European Union mem- activities of the ELGPN. It describes its origins and
ber-states (and the neighbouring countries eligible evolution, the rationale for the 2011–12 work pro-
for the Lifelong Learning Programme) and the Euro- gramme, and the processes through which it was
pean Commission in developing European co-oper- implemented. It notes that, while maintaining a
ation on lifelong guidance in both the education and cross-cutting approach to lifelong guidance policy
the employment sectors. Its purpose is to promote development across sectors, a primary objective has
co-operation and systems development at member- been to deepen the interfaces with six policy sectors
country level in implementing the priorities identi- in particular (schools; VET; higher education; adult
fied in the EU Resolutions on Lifelong Guidance education; employment; social inclusion), and to
(2004; 2008). The network was established by the shift from conceptual work to policy implementa-
member-states; the Commission supports its activi- tion, with more structured co-operation across the
ties under the Lifelong Learning Programme. As a four transversal ELGPN themes (career management
member-state-driven network, it also represents an skills; access; quality and evidence; co-operation and
innovative form of the Open Method of Co-ordina- co-ordination). It goes on to present the evaluation
tion within the European Union (EU), which could strategy adopted, and the main outcomes of the col-
be applicable in other areas too. laborative work. These have included, in particular, a
The ELGPN was formally established in Decem- Resource Kit to help policy-makers and other stake-
ber 2007; during 2008 its activities focused mainly holders to review existing lifelong guidance provision
on establishing its structures and processes. Its first within their country or region, and to identify issues
major work programme was implemented in 2009- requiring attention and gaps that need to be filled,
10. The present report covers its activities during its drawing from practices in other European countries.
second major work programme, in 2011–12.

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