Brussels: Europe is stronger when it is built with its youth, according to Cyprus Education Minister Athena Michaelidou. The Cyprus EU Presidency emphasized investing in young people, empowering teachers, and promoting inclusive education systems. The Presidency achieved key commitments through negotiations and collaboration with Member States and European institutions.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Minister Michaelidou spoke following the conclusion of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meeting in Brussels. She underscored the importance of education and youth policies in shaping the European Union's future. Highlighting the Erasmus+ programme's partial general approach agreement for 2028-2034, she called it a significant achievement of the Cyprus Presidency. Erasmus+, the EU's flagship education, training, youth, and sport programme, has benefited over 16 million individuals over the past 40 years.
Michaelidou emphasized the determination of Member States to make Erasmus+ more accessible and sustainable. This achievement demonstrates the Cyprus Presidency's ability to deliver results affecting citizens directly. The Council also adopted conclusions on 'Teachers in the Age of AI', marking the first initiative dedicated to artificial intelligence's role in education.
The Minister discussed the need for European education systems to adapt to AI's societal and economic impact while maintaining the human dimension of teaching. Teachers remain central to learning, fostering values, critical thinking, and skills development. The Council's conclusions highlight the importance of empowering teachers and education systems for Europe's digital future.
Discussions also covered strengthening basic skills and advancing the European Education Area. Michaelidou stated that critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability, and active citizenship are vital for personal development and democratic societies. Education systems should prepare learners for the labor market and lifelong learning in an evolving international context. European cooperation through the European Education Area and the Union of Skills can enhance competitive, resilient, and inclusive education systems.
On youth policy, Michaelidou emphasized the Cyprus Presidency's efforts to strengthen young people's participation in decision-making. She highlighted challenges like rising living costs, housing difficulties, mental health pressures, and access inequalities. The EU's post-2027 Youth Strategy should focus on youth-centered policies, ensuring their participation from design to evaluation.
Two key texts were adopted: the EU Youth Strategy Work Plan resolution and the outcomes of the 11th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue resolution. These resolutions incorporate young people's recommendations from three European Youth Conferences to guide policymaking at European and national levels. Michaelidou concluded, "The Cyprus Presidency worked to promote a simple but important principle: Europe is stronger when it is built together with its young people."