An opportunity for children in the EU
Dear Friends of ELIANT,
We mentioned at the end of May that the European Parliament was going to prepare a report on the New Skills Agenda for Europe. In its preliminary draft, the European Parliament welcomed the proposal by the European Commission to develop "comprehensive national strategies for digital competencies" at the Member State level. What was missing however was an age-appropriate approach to media education. Our ELIANT Alliance partner, the European Council for Steiner Waldorf Education (ECSWE), campaigned strongly to bring about changes to this draft. For to us, the ever earlier, and ever more pervasive use of digital media is not the right route to take.
On the 21st June 2017 the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the Committee on Culture and Education adopted their joint report on the New Skills Agenda for Europe. We are very pleased that the changes proposed by our educational experts for an age and development-appropriate approach to media education, has been fully accepted. (see detailed report).
This is an important step forward not only for the European Waldorf School Movement but for all children in the EU. If the plenary session taking place on 14th September agrees, then ELIANT together with its partners ECSWE and IASWECE will introduce the debate on how digital skills can be introduced in a way that is appropriate to the child's age and stage of development.
We are grateful for all your support and will keep you updated on developments.
With warm greetings
Michaela Glöckler
(for the ELIANT team)
