The first day of the Education, Youth and Culture Council in Brussels focused on education issues. The ministers discussed how higher education in the EU can be improved. They also adopted conclusions on the professional development of teachers and education for children with a migrant background.

Professional development of teachers and school leaders
The ministers adopted conclusions on the professional development of teachers and school leaders. The Council conclusions focus on how the Member States individually and the EU as a whole can stimulate the development of teachers' skills. This will happen through the creation of better opportunities for teachers and headteachers to take part in ‘mobility programmes’ (exchanges) and the establishment of European networks where teachers and headteachers can exchange knowledge and experience.

”With today's conclusions, Europe is stressing the importance of teachers’ and school leaders’ roles if the EU is to remain competitive and successful on the global market”, says Minister for Education Jan Björklund.

Education for children from migrant backgrounds
The Council adopted conclusions on how children with a migrant background can be better integrated in education. The conclusions include the need for experience exchange and the importance of discussing the issue at EU level. The conclusions also stress that education is important for the integration of immigrants in the EU and to combat marginalisation.

Knowledge triangle
The ministers also adopted conclusions on better collaboration between education, research and innovation (the ‘knowledge triangle’). The conclusions state the role of the knowledge triangle in meeting the long-term challenges of climate change, an ageing population and Europe’s competitiveness in a global economy. A number of areas were emphasised as being of particular importance, including:

• partnerships between universities and the business world
• a culture of innovation in universities
• greater educational reform to encourage creativity and entrepreneurship.

Future focus of action within education, youth and culture
As a contribution to the European Council in December, the ministers discussed the role of education in the EU’s future strategy for growth and jobs for the period 2010–2018. The current strategy, the Lisbon Strategy, covers the period until 2010. The ministers highlighted the importance of common political goals such as investment in qualitative education, the goals in the strategic framework for education until 2020 and the importance of collaboration between the three sides of the knowledge triangle.  

Better quality of higher education in the EU
The Commission presented a report on the progress that has been made on quality assurance in higher education. Cross-border quality assurance has become increasingly important, in particular considering the emergence of so-called ‘diploma mills’ (fake universities that sell fake degree certificates on the Internet). The ministers also discussed diversity and transparency as driving forces for high quality within higher education in Europe. In the discussion there was strong support for quality assurance in higher education. A number of Member States mentioned other factors that contribute to high quality such as greater transparency and compatibility between universities, free movement for students and reforms to make universities more independent.