Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council to convene on 12–13 May

The topics on the agenda include the joint European degree label and the role of education in preventing inequality. The Council will also discuss the impact of disinformation, manipulation and cyber threats on young people and delve into the future strategic priorities for the cultural sector in the EU. Council conclusions are expected on the promotion of sport and physical activity in the educational context.

Finland will be represented by Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz and Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity Sandra Bergqvist. Youth and education issues will be addressed on Monday 12 May and cultural and sports matters on Tuesday 13 May.

The youth ministers will discuss how disinformation, manipulation and cyber threats affect young people's lives. They will also adopt conclusions on a youth citizenship based on European values and a resolution on administrative reviews of the EU Youth Dialogue.

The ministers of education are expected to adopt conclusions on inclusive early childhood education and care and inclusive school education. Social inequalities can be addressed in a preventive manner through early childhood education and care. The Council is set to advance the implementation of the joint European degree label and encourage quality assurance in European cooperation in higher education. The Ministers of Education will hold a policy debate on how the Union of Skills and the European education area could complement each other. 

The Ministers of Culture will adopt conclusions on support for young artists and cultural and creative professionals in their early careers and on the assessment of the legal framework for audiovisual media services and video-sharing platforms. They will also discuss the strategic compass in the field of culture (Culture Compass) and the future of the Creative Europe programme.

The sports ministers will adopt conclusions on an integrated approach to sport and physical activity in the educational context. They will also discuss the role of athletes in sport policy. As one of the EU representatives on WADA's Executive Committee, Minister Bergqvist will report on the meeting of the Committee held in December.

Meeting materials are available on the official website of the Council of the EU. The public sessions of the meetings can be watched live on the Council of Ministers' website.

Inquiries:

• Youth: Eija Kauniskangas, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 50 567 2772
• Education: Päivi Bosquet, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 330375
• Culture and AV: Iina Berden, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 330 069, and Laura Mäkelä, Senior Ministerial Adviser for Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Education and Culture, tel. +358 295 330224
• Sport: Juha-Pekka Suomi, Senior Ministerial Adviser for Cultural Affairs, tel. +358 295 330187