Denmark as a knowledge society - towards new goals and challenges

Global challenges

In an increasingly globalised economy Denmark's competitiveness and cohesion are preconditions for a regeneration of the welfare state. Globalisation creates a more open world which provides opportunities to increase prosperity and to create better jobs. At the same time globalisation is accompanied by a process of increased integration which links the economies of countries closer together through increased trade, cooperation, investment and movement of labour across national borders. This applies both in Europe and in relation to the world at large.

The knowledge, inventiveness and work efforts of people, together with our ability to continuously develop, produce and sell new goods and services, are key to exploiting the opportunities presented by globalisation and technological development.

Denmark has, by international standards, a strong point of departure in terms of high employment, low unemployment, relatively equitable income distribution and a generally high level of education. At the same time, the Danish labour market is very flexible and international studies point to the fact that Denmark is among the countries with the highest level of competitiveness and is one of the countries which invests the most in the development of human resources. Moreover, the Danish society is based on shared fundamental democratic values and a historic tradition of change through dialogue and cooperation.

Globalisation and technological development present a number of significant challenges. For Denmark, as indeed for European countries and other OECD countries, a well-qualified labour force is crucial to ensuring competitiveness and prosperity. This means that the demands on the general and vocational skills of the labour force will grow, while demand for low-skilled labour will decline in the years to come. Continued growth in the economy is also dependent on increasing the labour force. Everyone is needed in the labour market. This includes those who currently have difficulty keeping a foothold in the labour market. Besides, the labour force is ageing, and the new intake into the labour market is smaller than the expected attrition. This too presents a challenge.

The skills of the labour force must therefore be increased at all levels. More people must have a qualifying education, and more people need to go through the education system and pass faster out into the labour market. Moreover, there is need for a significant increase in adult education and a continuing training, not least in order to raise the level of those with the lowest level of education and training.

In order for Denmark to become a leading knowledge society and maintain its position as one of the wealthiest countries in the world, Denmark must have world-class education, and everyone must have good opportunities and the desire to acquire new knowledge and useful qualifications and competences throughout their lives.

Education for all - Denmark's globalisation strategy

It is the Government's aim that Denmark shall be among the most attractive countries in the world to live and work in - also 10 and 20 years from now - a country where everyone has the best opportunities to unfold their abilities and create prosperity for themselves and for others.

In the spring of 2006, in response to the challenges of globalisation, the Government presented an overall strategy for the future-proofing of the Danish society. The strategy is based on the results of the work of "Globaliseringsrådet" (the "Globalisation Council") and "Trepartsudvalget om livslang opkvalificering og uddannelse for alle på arbejdsmarkedet" (the "Tripartite Committee on lifelong skills upgrading and education and training for all in the labour market") both set up by the Government.

The national globalisation strategy, Fremgang, fornyelse og tryghed - Strategi for Danmark i den globale økonomi ("Progress, innovation and cohesion - Strategy for Denmark in the global economy"), comprises 350 specific initiatives aiming at extensive reforms of education and research programmes and substantial improvements in the framework for growth and innovation in all areas of Danish society.

The Government's globalisation strategy focuses in particular on training and lifelong skills upgrading. A high level of educational attainment and good opportunities for lifelong learning are among the most important preconditions for strong competitiveness and for everyone to be able to actively participate in the labour market and in society.

It is the Government's aim that Denmark shall have world-class education and that everyone shall participate in lifelong learning.

With the political Agreement on future prosperity and welfare and investments in the future between a majority of the parties in the Folketing (Danish Parliament) the Government has created the basis for structural reforms to ensure future prosperity and welfare and investment in the future. A further DKK 15 billion have been set aside over a six-year period for new long-term investments in education and lifelong skills upgrading until year 2012 as an increased contribution to achieving the set targets.

With the political Agreement on future prosperity and welfare and investments in the future between a majority of the parties in the Folketing (Danish Parliament) the Government has created the basis for structural reforms to ensure future prosperity and welfare and investment in the future. A further DKK 15 billion have been set aside over a six-year period for new long-term investments in education and lifelong skills upgrading until year 2012 as an increased contribution to achieving the set targets.

Objectives for lifelong learning

It is the Government's aim that lifelong learning shall be promoted in all parts of society and in all areas in which the knowledge, skills and competences of people are developed and put to use. This applies at all levels and in all parts of the education system, in adult education and continuing training, in the workplace, through liberal adult education and in association and leisure activities etc. It is a shared responsibility for everyone.

The Government's strategy for education and lifelong skills upgrading, which covers all forms of education and learning, shall support and promote individual personal development, employment, active citizenship and participation in society.

The strategy includes the following objectives:

• A coherent education system from preschool to higher education must provide the opportunity for everyone to acquire excellent basic skills, a qualifying education and a solid foundation for lifelong learning. There must be equal opportunities and room for all.
• Education must be world-class. The education system shall foster talent and be more accommodating to weak learners. Quality is given pride of place, and education must match the needs of the labour market and the society.
• There must be relevant, high quality adult education and continuing training for everyone in the labour market which matches the needs and puts particular emphasis on the need for lifelong skills upgrading for those with the lowest level of education. There is a shared responsibility to ensure that everyone in the labour market is engaged in lifelong learning.
• Systematic competence development in the workplace should be strengthened in both public and private enterprises. Increased public and private investment in continuing training and competence development for employees shall contribute to improving the skills of individuals and strengthen the development of the enterprises.
• Opportunities for guidance and counselling must be improved and help ensure the best possible conditions for pupils, students and adults to choose education programmes and to participate in lifelong learning.
• All forms of education and learning should be based on and build on the knowledge, skills and competences of individuals. In adult education and continuing training new and improved opportunities shall be created promoting visibility and recognition of an individual's prior learning.
• Coherent education paths and transparency in the education system are to contribute to targeted education and lifelong skills upgrading and facilitate the best possible use of public resources.
• A global perspective must be included in all education programmes contributing to strengthening internationalisation and cooperation with the world around us.
• Stronger higher education environments are to be created in order to contribute to higher quality in education and knowledge development, and a better framework and better conditions shall be developed for interaction between educational institutions and enterprises and other relevant players.

In order to fulfil the overall objectives of education and lifelong skills upgrading, the Government has prioritised a number of specific goals and initiatives within the overall education system and in the area of adult education and continuing training.

Lifelong learning is also being supported and promoted through actions and initiatives in a large number of other areas. Among other things, this applies to efforts in the area of employment and integration, business oriented policy initiatives and not least in the area of liberal adult education and in association and cultural activities.

The Government's strategy for education and lifelong skills upgrading makes new demands and presents new challenges with regard to the future organisation and development of the education system and adult education and continuing training. It makes new demands on educational institutions and enterprises and on the way in which relevant players can all contribute to the further development of a culture of lifelong learning. A particular challenge is to strengthen the interaction between the education sector, working life and the learning which takes place during leisure time.

The implementation of the extensive reforms is based on all relevant players taking co-responsibility and contributing actively. This applies to national authorities, the social partners, educational institutions, enterprises, liberal adult education providers, voluntary organisations and municipal and regional players etc. It is therefore the Government's aim to strengthen dialogue and partnerships between all players. This is crucial in order to realise Denmark's strategy for education and lifelong skills upgrading.

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