Draft report on education as the cornerstone of the Lisbon process (2004/2272(INI)) Committee on Culture and Education, Rapporteur: Guy Bono
Rapporteur's conclusions
The rapporteur wishes to emphasise the importance attached by Parliament as a whole to the intensification of the efforts by the European Union in the fields of lifelong education and training. However, the rapporteur wishes to point out that the attainment of these objectives will depend in large measure on suitable funding in the next financial perspective. In addition, the rapporteur believes that increased investment in the education sector at national level is essential. The rapporteur believes that intensification and implementation of the 'Education and training 2010' programme is of overriding importance and emphasises that the assessment of results obtained helps provide an overall view, so contributing to the establishment of a European strategic framework.
In the rapporteur's opinion, this programme must become a real tool for following up national and Community policies. Dealing more particularly with lifelong education and training, the rapporteur believes it is necessary to define more consistent national policies and to improve conditions of access by young apprentices and job-seekers. He wishes to emphasise in this connection the role of the social partners both in framing and implementing these policies.