What role should education play in order to achieve the Europe 2020 strategy? That was the issue, as Education Minister Tina Nedergaard was the Council meeting in Brussels with his European colleagues.

Europe 2020 is the EU's strategy for growth and jobs in Europe. Education is an essential prerequisite for creating growth and jobs. Therefore, the Europe 2020 strategy aims to reduce the number of young people who do not get a secondary education, and to increase the number of young people who receive higher education. On 14 February the EU education ministers to discuss how the objectives can be reached. The Council meeting was the first under the Hungarian EU Presidency, and both the Commissioner for Education, Androulla Vassiliou, and education ministers from other EU countries were present. Education Minister Tina Nedergaard presented at the Council meeting the government's proposal "Professionalism and Freedom". The initiative aims to strengthen schools and improve pupils' basic skills so that more can complete a secondary education.

Challenges in Europe

Education ministers also discussed the European Commission's Annual Growth Survey, published on January 12. The study identifies a number of challenges in terms of creating growth in Europe - including challenges in education. Minister of Education highlighted in this context, among others Denmark's special approach to training, where students alternate between teaching and practical training to ensure a connection to the labor market. In this area, the government has been successful in creating more apprenticeships in both 2010 and 2011.

Danish EU Presidency in 2012

The Minister also took the Council meeting to greet the minister colleagues from the upcoming trio of EU Presidency. Denmark holds the presidency of the EU in the first half of 2012 and is part of a trio together with Poland, which holds the Presidency in the second half of 2011, and Cyprus, which holds the Presidency in the second half of 2012. Trio Cooperation between the three presidency countries must ensure a coordinated and continuous process in the Council. Source: UVM.dk