Press Release: Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, Brussels, 16-17 May 2013

Main results of the Council:

Education
The Council adopted conclusions on the social dimension of higher education.

It also held, in public deliberation, a policy debate on the link between teaching professions of the highest quality and achieving better learning outcomes.

Youth
The Council adopted conclusions on:
- maximising the potential of youth policy in addressing the goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy;
- the contribution of quality youth work to the development, well-being and social inclusion of young people.

Ministers also held a policy debate, in public deliberation, on the subject 'Europe's young people: what can quality youth work contribute to addressing current challenges?'

Culture and Audiovisual
The Council designated Aarhus (Denmark) and Paphos (Cyprus) as the European Capitals of Culture for 2017 and Valletta (Malta) for 2018. It also reached a general approach on the proposal for a decision establishing a Union action for the European Capitals of Culture for the years 2020-2033.

Ministers had an exchange of views on cultural diversity in the context of the future Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement between the EU and the USA.

The Council held a public policy debate on the use of culture as a soft policy option in EU external relations.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on the social dimension of higher education http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-the-social-dimension-of-higher-education/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on the contribution of quality youth work to the development, well-being and social inclusion of young people http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-the-contribution-of-quality-youth-work-to-the-development-well-being-and-social-inclusion-of-young-people/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on maximising the potential of youth policy in addressing the goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-maximising-the-potential-of-youth-policy-in-addressing-the-goals-of-the-europe-2020-strategy/

ESO: Background information: Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (16-17 May) http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-education-youth-culture-and-sport-council-16-17-may/

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