Lynne welcomes new EU report on Lifelong Learning

11.41.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Sep 2006

West Midlands Liberal Democrats MEP Liz Lynne, co-chair of the European Parliaments Intergroup on ageing and Vice-President of the European Parliament's All Party Disability Intergroup, today welcomed a new EU report highlighting the need for member states to promote lifelong learning for all their citizens.

Speaking from Strasbourg, Liz said "In today's ever changing world, education cannot simply stop when someone leaves school - training and re-training are essential for people of all ages and abilities to allow them to find work and explore new opportunities.

"Importantly, while the report correctly highlights traditional subjects such as languages, maths, science and technology it also identifies that it is important to help people develop their interpersonal and cultural skills.

"I am especially pleased to see that the report highlights the fact that older people and people with disabilities are two of the key groups who benefit the most from lifelong learning but who are often the ones who are overlooked or ignored."

Editor's Notes

The report, which was presented to the European Parliament today, was written in response to proposals by the European Commission on lifelong learning which highlights eight key competences that young people should have acquired by the end of initial education and training and which adults should be able to acquire, maintain and update throughout their lives:

• communication in the mother tongue

• communication in foreign languages

• mathematical competence and basic skills in science and technology

• digital competence

• learning to learn

• interpersonal, intercultural and social competences and civic competence

• entrepreneurship

• cultural expression

For further information, comment or to book an interview, please telephone Liz Lynne on 0033 388177521 (Strasbourg) or 077644 52725 (mobile) or Press Officer Chris Willey on 01789 262785