A BETTER EDUCATION FOR EUROPEANS A CITIZENS’ INITIATIVE

The Lisbon Treaty has given the Union a mandate to create a European dimension in Education. There are valid economic and social reason for a developing a common framework in this direction, yet respecting national identities. A little known and highly successful European education system already exists, available to children from pre-school age to secondary, yet currently only accessible to a very small number of people in the Union. This educational model leads to the attainment of the European Baccalaureate, which is recognised by all members state as a secondary qualification with access to higher education.

In addition to education, the Lisbon Treaty has also introduced the European Citizenship Initiative, intending to give its citizens a greater say in the Union’s democratic process. The citizens’ initiative “ should foster a lively debate about what we are doing in Brussels,” says Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for Administration and Inter-institutional Relations.

We now intend to merge these two initiatives presenting our petition to the Commission and with the aim of making European education accessible to as many European citizens as possible; a choice based on an educational model that encourages mutual respect, as well as excellence, yet respectful of each other’s identity as expressed in the famous words of Jean Monnett, a founding father of Europe: “ ... untroubled from infancy by divisive prejudices .... Without ceasing to look to their own lands with love and pride ... Europeans, schooled and ready to complete and consolidate the work of their fathers..”

Europeans deserve a common and successful educational framework, a long lasting opportunity to create a better Europe. This opportunity already exists, but it’s available to few, let’s now make it accessible to all. Let’s offer Europe the best education it deserves.

All those interested in working on the Citizen’s Initiative for a Better Education for Europeans please contact: meet@EuroEdTrust.eu

For more information on the Citizen's initiative, in all EU languages, see: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/secretariat_general/citizens_initiative/index_en...