The Education Department of the Council of Europe held its first Conference on the Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture (RFCDC) and Vocational Education and Training (VET), in Strasbourg and online, on 8 and 9 April.

In December 2023, the Council of Europe launched a new project on RFCDC and VET that aims to develop a new publication on promoting a culture of democracy in Vocational Education and Training in Europe by Spring 2025.

Building on the recently adopted Guidance Document on VET, the new publication will analyse more deeply the relation between the RFCDC and VET in various areas and topics, collect examples of policies and practices of Competences for Democratic Culture (CDC) in VET, as well as present lessons learnt and pointers to future direction.

This new initiative is part of the Council of Europe Education Strategy for 2024-2030 "Learners First" and it contributes to the Pillar 1 consisting of “Renewing the democratic and civic mission of education”, which emphasises the importance of integrating CDC in VET to promote quality citizenship education.

To support these efforts, the Expert Group on the RFCDC and VET was renewed with a new mandate for 2024-2025. The Group is now composed of 23 representatives of members states and observers to the Steering Committee for Education.

During the meeting of 8 and 9 April, the Expert Group had rich discussions on the concept note of the new publication and on the areas and topics to be addressed, namely curriculum, assessment, initial and continuing VET teacher training, in-company training, the implementation of CDC in VET schools, the role of social partners, inclusion and learners’ voice and participation.

The new publication will mark a step further in the Council of Europe’s efforts to ensure that VET systems are preparing learners not only for employment but also for active participation as citizens in democratic societies.