Dr. Zoltán Maruzsa, Minister of State for Public Education represented Hungary in the meeting of the Education, Youth, Culture, Sport Council, 29 – 30 November 2021.
Building on the lessons of the period when schools switched to digital education because of the pandemic in most EU countries, the Council adopted a recommendation on blended learning approaches for high-quality and inclusive primary and secondary education. As a contribution to the structured dialogue for the implementation of the European Digital Education Action Plan education ministers discussed about the improvement of digital education and skills. A resolution on a new 10 years European agenda for adult learning encourages education and training opportunities for adults, while another resolution lays down the governance structure of the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021-2030).
It is a great honour that the Council designated Dr. Tünde Szabó, Minister of State for Sport of Hungary as a representative of the EU Member States at the World Anti-Dopping Agency (WADA) Foundation Board, for a period of three years running from 1 January 2022 until 31 December 2024.
Youth Ministers held a debate about the importance of protecting and promoting civic spaces for young people and the measures to facilitate this. These civic spaces, which allow young people to participate meaningfully in society, in decision-making and in shaping policies that affect them, are under increasing pressure. Ministers also voiced concerns about the role of digital tools and for a, which - although allowing young people to mobilise, raise awareness and share information - also entail risks such as intimidation, online censorship and digital surveillance.
The Council adopted a resolution on the findings of the 8th cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue to ensure greater transparency in stakeholder involvement and follow-up. Ministers adopted conclusions on the implementation (2019-2021) of the EU Youth Strategy (2019-2027) and a resolution of the EU Youth Strategy Work Plan for the period 2022-2024.
On 30 November, culture ministers discussed about cultural heritage and heritage rights, in the context of sustainable development in and outside Europe. Hungary considers the protection of cultural heritage a priority. The Hungary Helps Programme has launched cultural heritage protection projects in 27 countries, worth around €50 million. Hungary also supported the adoption of the Council conclusions on culture, high-quality architecture and built environment as key elements of the New European Bauhaus initiative. In view of the post-COVID recovery, as well as the green and digital transition, we find the adoption of the Council conclusions on increasing the availability and competitiveness of European audiovisual and media content a timely and important step, which will contribute to the promotion of cultural diversity, too.
The Council adopted a resolution on the key features of a European Sport Model and conclusions on lifelong physical activity. Finally, sport ministers discussed about how to support athletes' dual careers.
