Introduction

In 2004 the European Council endorsed the report Education and Training 2010 - The success of the Lisbon strategy hinges on urgent reforms. The message of the report is that extensive educational reforms and targeted investments in lifelong learning are crucial for achieving the common goal that in 2010 the European Union shall be "the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion".

At the same time the European Council called upon Member States to develop coherent national strategies for lifelong learning by 2006 as an important contribution to achieving the ambitious target.

This report presents Denmark's strategy for lifelong learning. The strategy covers the development of all forms of education, learning and lifelong skills upgrading for all - in the education system, in adult education and continuing training, at work and in the many other settings in which people learn and develop their knowledge, skills and competences.

The national strategy for lifelong learning is mainly based on the Government's globalisation strategy Fremskridt, fornyelse og udvikling - Strategi for Danmark i den globale økonom ("Progress, renewal and development - Strategy for Denmark in the global economy") published in the spring of 2006. The overall aim of the globalisation strategy is to make Denmark a leading knowledge society with strong competitiveness and strong cohesion. Education, lifelong skills upgrading, research and innovation at the highest international level are crucial for achieving this aim.

The broad political agreement on future welfare policy and the agreement on the implementation of the globalisation fund in 2006 have established the goals and framework for a long-term, coherent development of human resources in Denmark. Extensive investment in the education system and strengthened efforts in the area of adult education and continuing training will contribute to an overall enhancement of education and skills for everyone in the Danish society.

The implementation of Denmark's strategy for education and lifelong skills upgrading is based on all the relevant players taking co-responsibility. The Government and the social partners - employers' and employees' organisations - agree that it is a shared responsibility to ensure lifelong skills upgrading for everyone in the labour market.

The strategy for education and lifelong skills upgrading shall contribute to future-proofing Denmark. At the same time, it is a contribution towards the realisation of the common European objectives of education and lifelong learning and the development of strategies and instruments for lifelong learning in the European Union.

This page is part of the publication " Denmark's strategy for lifelong learning "
© The Ministry of Education 2007