Minister for Education, Sports and Youth, Prodromos Prodromou, informed his counterparts on measures taken by Cyprus to support the reception and integration of Ukrainian students in the Cypriot education system during the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council of the European Union, which took place on 28 and 29 November in Brussels.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the first day of the meeting was devoted to education, focusing in particular on the role of the European Education Area in mitigating crises in education and training, especially regarding the education of Ukrainian students. The Ukrainian Minister of Education participated in the exchange of views on this issue via teleconference.
During his intervention, Prodromou referred to the coordination that has been achieved through the governance of the European Education Area and to the concrete measures taken at a national level in relation to the education of Ukrainian students. He also referred to the arrangements made by Cyprus to facilitate the reception and integration of Ukrainian students, as well as to the ongoing process for reaching a special agreement on mutual recognition of educational qualifications and diplomas with Ukraine.
Regarding the role of the European Education Area in times of crisis, the Minister of Education highlighted the need for resilient and inclusive education systems that are able to deal effectively with the consequences of crises.
Prodromou also briefed his counterparts on the results of the HighLevel Meeting of Education Ministers on Education for Sustainable Development, which took place in the framework of the 9th Ministerial Conference held in October in Nicosia.
During a working lunch, the Ministers exchanged views on support to the Ukrainian education system and the role the EU can play through various instruments and investment mechanisms and through the provision of expertise by Member States.
During the afternoon session, the ministers discussed the developments regarding the ongoing European Year of Youth 2022, and reported on initiatives undertaken in their country, with a particular focus on actions that highlighted the youth perspective in policy initiatives.
Prodromou referred to actions and events implemented in Cyprus, such as the Forum for Democracy and the National Youth Summit.
He also underlined the importance of strengthening the participation of young people through creative activities and noted that the European Year of Youth contributed to strengthening the active involvement of young people and youth organisations in shaping national and European strategies on issues that concern them. He stressed that this momentum should be maintained, as should the multimodal and multilevel participation of young people in the community, which strengthens their voice and enhances their role in social and political life.
Source: Cyprus News Agency