Training, education: teaching and learning, towards the learning society. White Paper

The Council examined the White Paper ‘Teaching and learning: towards the learning society’, which was presented by the Commission in response to an initiative from Commissioners E. Cresson and P. Flynn, with the agreement of Commissioner Bangemann. The Council of Education Ministers intended to make their contribution to the debate on fundamental issues relating to education and training at both Member State and Community level; this debate, which had been initiated in Venice (2 and 3 February 1996) during the inaugural conference of the European Year of Education and Lifelong Learning, was to be continued through 1996 and beyond. The reflections that followed did not seek to present conclusions, but were rather a basis for intermediate comment both within the Member States and as part of a process of analysis and consolidation that would bring together the European institutions and other technical authorities, also under the Irish and Dutch Presidencies.