The Spanish Presidency was represented by Ms Pilar Alegría, Minister for Education, Vocational Training and Sports, Ms Sira Rego, Minister for Youth and Childhood, Mr Ernest Urtasun, Minister for Culture and Mr Victor Francos, Secretary of State for Sports. The European Commission was represented by Ms Věra Jourová, Vice-president for Values and Transparency, Ms Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth and Mr Roberto Viola, Director-General for DG CONNECT.
Education ministers adopted Council conclusions on strengthening common European values and democratic citizenship, and approved Council recommendations on encouraging successful digital education and training, and improving the provision of digital skills. The focus of their political debate was how they could involve more women in their training and education systems in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM). Among other items on the agenda, the European Commission presented the “DSA (Digital Services Act) schoolyard guardians initiative” and the meeting also raised the topic of data protection in digital education and aid to Ukraine in the education sector. Hungary was represented by Balázs Hankó, Minister of State for Innovation and Higher Education, and Zoltán Maruzsa, Minister of State for Public Education.
The Council adopted conclusions on promoting the mainstreaming of the youth perspective in EU policy-making processes and on a comprehensive approach to mental health in the EU. Youth ministers exchanged their views on the role of young people in EU decision-making processes, which can contribute to the creation of a forward-looking European Union committed to its young citizens, taking into account complex challenges such as the climate crisis, job insecurity, precarious employment and housing issues. The decisions which are taken or not taken now, to address these issues, will affect young people for the rest of their lives, so it is the responsibility of decision-makers at all levels to listen to young people's concerns, find solutions and take their views and suggestions into account when designing policy solutions. Ministers also discussed the importance of promoting young people's participation in democratic processes, which young people consider to be one of the most effective ways of making their voices heard. The debate also covered the mainstreaming of the youth perspective in the design of different policy initiatives and the possibility of introducing an EU-wide youth test to assess the impact of different policies and instruments on young people. Hungary was represented by the Youth session of the Council by Ágnes Hornung, Minister of States for Families.
Under the 10th cycle of the European Youth Dialogue and as a member of the Trio Presidency, Hungary participated at the informal breakfast with young people's representatives, discussing the importance of mental health and its impact on young people's lives.
With regard to cultural and audiovisual issues, Ministers adopted conclusions on enhancing the cultural and creative dimension of the European video games sector and had a fruitful policy debate on improving the working conditions of artists and other cultural professionals. The Any Other Business (AOB) points included an information of the Presidency on the current stage of European Media Freedom Act’s (EMFA) negotiations as well as several information points on European capitals of culture 2024 and 2028 and other Member State’s initiatives in the field of culture. At the cultural session Hungary was represented by Balázs Hankó, Minister of State for Innovation and Higher Education.
Sport ministers discussed the topic of safe environment in sports. They agreed that the individual and collective benefits of sport are only applicable if health and safety aspects are enforced. In order to create a safe environment, safe sports infrastructure and sports facilities must be created, as practising sports should not involve health and safety risks. Sport only contributes to a healthy lifestyle if it is not harmful to health through accidents, injuries, or illnesses. Protecting children was a key issue, as was ensuring the participation of people with disabilities. The Council also approved the Council conclusions on women and equality in the field of sport. Under AOB points the French and German delegations provided information on the European dimension of the Olympic and Paralympic Games of Paris 2024 and of the 2024 European Football Championship.
