Ursula, where did you hide education? - Reaction to new Commissioners' portfolios
The Lifelong Learning Platform and its members will continue to fight to increase the relevance of education systems and stakeholder involvement in our society, all the more in this worrying climate
Brussels, 10th September 2019
European Commission President-Elect Ursula Von der Leyen unveiled the new Commissioners’ portfolios in today’s press conference. We are sad to see that education and lifelong learning are not accorded their rightful place and visibility in this proposed Commission and are mentioned only as part of the wider ‘Innovation and Youth’, which erases in a blind hit also culture, sports and research. Mariya Gabriel (Bulgaria) will have the difficult task to make education policies arise from the whirlwind of innovation and to do so in an ever-demanding political environment. Skills and adult learning are swallowed by the ‘Jobs’ portfolio, assigned to Nicolas Schmit (Luxembourg), a clear orientation towards the labour market rather than inclusion or personal development. The overview is entrusted to Margaritis Schinas (Greece), Vice-president for the new ambiguous ‘Protecting our European Way of Life’.
You can read the full reaction here