The Council (14 and 15 February) will adopt, after an exchange of views, key messages addressed to the spring meeting of the European Council (13 and 14 March) in the field of education and training.
The key messages emphasise the following themes: implementation of lifelong learning strategies; knowledge triangle (education, research, innovation), in particular the crucial role of education and training for promoting creativity and innovation; intercultural dialogue; and transnational mobility.
In addition, the Council invites the Commission to submit by the end of 2008 a proposal for an updated strategic framework for European cooperation in the field of education and training. Ministers will hold an exchange of views in connection with the adoption of the text.
An education expert working for the Commission will present an example of outcomes of a peer learning activity carried out in the framework of the open method of coordination, specifically on early school leaving.