European Identity - Individual, Group and Society - HumanitarianNet

6.European Programmes from SpainEncarnación HerreroSubdirección General de Programas EuropeosMinistry of Education, Science and Sport, SpainLatest guidelines from the European Council and Commissionin the field of EducationThe prospect of a united Europe on the various fronts is thedecisive factor of the whole European educational movement: sincethe culmination of the integration process of the 15 member Statesinto the EU, it is widely accepted that EDUCATION is indeed the key forthe realization of the notion of European identity. According to theEuropean Commission for Education: «In order to build tomorrow´sEurope, we need to invest in education today».In recent years, the fact that the EU considers education andtraining to be one of the fundamental pillars in the construction ofEurope has been welcomed in educational spheres. “To make theknowledge-based economy of the European Union the most competitiveand dynamic in the world”, to be achieved by 2010, was anstrategic goal established at the Lisbon Summit in March 2000. Thisdecision grants education and training a very important role. In theSummit itself, a memorandum on lifelong learning was drafted. It hasbeen further developed in order to reduce normative and administrativeobstacles to professional recognition of both formal and informaleducation. Ensuring that all citizens obtain basic qualifications becomesa priority. On the other hand, the Action Plan adopted in Nice createdthe necessary practical conditions to guarantee mobility to all theparticipants in the fields of education, research and innovation. Duringher term of office as European Commissioner for Education and Culture,Viviane Reading said in relation to Nice´s agreement on mobility: “Thechallenge is ambitious and all those that play a role in the fields of