NEF Brussels 2024

Careers of the Future: Lifelong Learning in the Green Transition
November 21, 2024 9:00 am
European Parliament, Brussels

The New Education Forum in Brussels concludes this year’s series of regional meetings organized in the European Union: Vigo in January 2024, Kraków in March, Olsztyn in April, and Valencia in November. The closing event will provide an opportunity to:

  • synthesize regional recommendations of the New Education Forum and
  • take a closer look at local and regional initiatives that enrich the European educational environment by addressing two major European challenges: the impact of the green transition and the digital transformation on learning and careers’ development.

About

What is NEF?

The New Education Forum (NEF), created in 2015 by the Center for Innovative Education, is a platform for exchanging knowledge, experiences, and contacts in the field of educational innovations. NEF operates throughout Europe, bringing together representatives from over 440 institutions from 21 EU member states: European regions and cities, higher education and research institutions, as well as employers from various industries.

Defining the goals of each event:

  • Addressing the most pressing educational issues and challenges at the time and place.
  • Finding innovative educational development directions aimed at aligning with labor market requirements.
  • Promoting transversal competencies as essential resources for employees.
  • Contributing to the improvement of vocational education and its perception.
  • Building bridges between EU regions and cities and European institutions regarding the aforementioned issues.

Since the first Forum – co-organized by MEP Prof. Jerzy Buzek, the first NEF Ambassador – 37 regional and pan-European events have been held (including seven annual ones at the European Parliament), attracting over 4,660 participants. We have hosted many distinguished panelists such as in December 2023 Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, and Education Iliana Ivanova, and Markus Beyrer (Director General of BusinessEurope), and previously Tibor Navracsics, EU Commissioner for Education, who opened the first New Education Forum in Warsaw in 2015, Valdis Dombrovskis (EU Commissioner), Montserrat Gomendio (Deputy Director for Education and Skills at OECD), Dominika Bettman (CEO Microsoft Poland), representatives of industry associations such as CEEMET and KLEPA.

So far, NEF has been held across Europe, including in Kraków, Athens, Linz, Gdańsk, Caserta, Edinburgh, Limerick, Santander, Warsaw, Brussels, Poznań, Comillas, Torino, Berlin, Olsztyn, Aberdeen, Opole, Bielsko-Biała, to build a broad coalition for adapting education to civilizational changes, conducting debates and creating valuable partnerships, analyzing local conditions, asking questions and seeking answers, and practical solutions addressing the needs of regional and European labor markets.

For more information, we encourage you to visit:

www.neweducationforum.com

www.ciedu.eu

Schedule

08:30 – 09:00 Registration

09:00 – 09:05 Welcome

Joanna BOCHNIARZ, General Director of the Center for Innovative Education (CIE)

09:05 – 09:20 Opening Remarks

Mirosława NYKIEL, Member of the European Parliament, Member of the ITRE Committee

09:20 – 09:30 Presentation of the “Path to Employment After Coal” program as a good practice from Poland Anna KARASZEWSKA, President of the Board and Co-founder, Jobs First Sp. z o.o.

09:30 – 10:55 Panel 1: Necessary Career Changes Due to the Green Transition and the “Path to Employment After Coal” Program.

Goal and Expected Outcomes: Examine the urgent need for career changes due to green transition and for those employed in coal-intensive industries, focusing on sustainable alternatives and retraining programs to facilitate a fair transition towards a green economy. Expected outcomes:

– Specific policy recommendations facilitating career changes including in coal-related sectors.

– Increased understanding of retraining and upskilling requirements.

– Creation of a cooperation network supporting the transition towards sustainable employment.

Key Discussion Points:

  1. Impact of Climate Policies:

– Analysis of global and national policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

– Impact of these policies on coal-related jobs.

  1. Identification of Alternative Career Paths:

– Mapping sustainable employment opportunities in renewable energy, green technologies, and other emerging sectors.

– Case studies of successful transitions from coal-intensive jobs to green careers.

  1. Retraining and Upskilling Initiatives Example from Wielkopolska:

– Effective retraining programs and initiatives for workers affected by the changes.

– The role of governments, the private sector, and educational institutions in facilitating these transitions.

– Funding mechanisms and financial support for retraining programs.

  1. Creating a Supportive Ecosystem:

– Building a robust support system for workers during the transition period.

– Ensuring mental health and well-being of workers changing careers.

– Community engagement and local economy diversification strategies.

  • Anna KARASZEWSKA, President of the Board and Co-founder, Jobs First Sp. z o.o.
  • Brian RICKETTS, Secretary General, EURACOAL
  • Frank SIEBERN-THOMAS, Head of Unit F.3 “Fair Green and Digital Transitions, Research”, DG EMPL, European Commission

 

10:55 – 11:25 Networking Break

11:25 – 11:30 Presentation of the impact of artificial intelligence on learning methods and the job market

11:30 – 12:50 Panel 2: Encouraging Youth to Embrace Lifelong Learning in the Context of an Evolving Job Market Influenced by Artificial Intelligence

Goal and Expected Outcomes: Discuss strategies and approaches to encourage young people to adopt lifelong learning as a fundamental principle of career development, especially in the context of rapid technological changes (including artificial intelligence) and their impact on the job market. Expected outcomes:

– Development of practical recommendations for policymakers and educators.

– Identification of key partnerships and collaborations to promote lifelong learning.

– Increased awareness among youth of the necessity of continuous learning in the AI era.

Key Discussion Points:

  1. Understanding the Impact of AI on Careers:

– How AI is transforming various industries and professional roles.

– The skill gap caused by advances in AI.

– The importance of adaptability and continuous skill improvement.

  1. Promoting Lifelong Learning:

– Methods of shaping a continuous learning mindset among youth.

– Effective educational policies and programs supporting lifelong learning.

– The role of formal and informal education in promoting continuous learning habits.

  1. Educational Technologies and Resources:

– Use of online platforms, MOOCs, and other digital resources.

– Partnerships between educational institutions and technology companies.

– Success stories and best practices from around the world.

  1. Future Skills:

– Identification and development of essential skills for future job markets.

– Integration of soft skills with technical knowledge.

– The role of mentoring and career counseling in lifelong learning.

  • Janusz DEDO, Member of the Supervisory Board BUDIMEX S.A., former President of HSBC Bank
  • Georgi DIMITROV, Head of Unit “Digital Education”, DG EAC, European Commission
  • Delphine RUDELLI, Director General, Ceemet European Tech & Industry Employers

12:50 – 13:00 Summary of Discussions

Representative, European Economic and Social Committee

Joanna BOCHNIARZ, General Director of the Center for Innovative Education (CIE)

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Centrum Innowacyjnej Edukacji

email: info@ciedu.eu