LLLPLATFORM - ACTIVITY REPORT 2016
INTRODUCTORY WORDS
FROM THE PRESIDENT
“
The Lifelong Learning Platform brings
together strongly motivated people
who are very active in contributing to
the EU education policy improvements.
I truly would like to thank them for
their highly professional work in this field.”
MEP Krystyna Lybacka
Vice-Chair of the LLL Interest Group
2016 has been a year full of
challenges and opportunities for
the Lifelong Learning Platform, its
members and Europe at large. In
spite of a challenging European and
international context, Brexit , increased
radicalisation, fear, populism and
horrifying acts of terrorism, we remain
convinced of the power education
has to reverse worrying trends and re-
build our European identity. In these
troublesome times, access and quality
to learning opportunities for all can
bring optimism back into political
discourse and gather citizens with a
hopeful vision of the future.
To capture these trends and find
solutions together, throughout the
year we worked alongside with
the European Commission and
Parliament, the Slovak and Dutch
Council
Presidencies,
European
Economic and Social Committee
and many more partners and allies
strengthening civil dialogue even
more. The new Skills Agenda for
Europe was welcomed by the Lifelong
Learning Platform’s members who
look forward to its developments in
the years to come. A special attention
was given throughout the year to
Inclusive education, namely during the
Civil Society Day, cornerstone to both
our LLLWeek and Annual Conference.
It goes without saying that greater
attention was given to widening access
to education for vulnerable groups,
bringing learners voice to policy
and decision makers, and striving
for better recognition of non-formal
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and informal
learning.
2016 has for us,
been a year of
renewal. With
our
partner
the European
by
Youth Forum,
David
Lopez
we launched
President of the
the Erasmus+
LLLPlatform
Coalition,
which
has
been growing with success, gathering
over 40 civil society organisations and
stakeholders in the first year. We also
pursued our change of visual identity
and were delighted to present our new
website in july. The Platform welcomed
three new members strengthening its
representation in youth, migration and
vocational education sector. Finally,
after 10 years of loyal services, our
Director Audrey Frith was replaced by
Brikena Xhomaqi.
Drawing from our experience, building
on our members’ expertise, pooling
resources and fighting for what
we stand for, we are ready for the
challenges that lie ahead. More than
ever, education in all its forms must be
recognised as the foundation stone
we need to create an open and fair
society.
We look forward to a more optimistic
year for learning and skills for all.
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