Webinar: What makes educational systems resilient? Reflecting upon recent societal challenges

NESET, in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC), organised a webinar entitled What makes educational systems resilient? Reflecting upon recent societal challenges, which was held on April 26.

The current context is particularly challenging for education, as for instance the Covid-19 pandemic that led to unexpected and prolonged school closures; the political and geopolitical instability that increases the flows of migration to EU countries; the inflation, economic recession and the environmental crisis that pose increased challenges to often under-funded education systems. In the last years, NESET has been looking into the impact of these diverse challenges on the social aspects of education and training. In this webinar we will delve into the evidence we gathered and reflect upon the lessons learned (or yet to be learnt) for the future of education in Europe and beyond.

NESET is one of the key knowledge providers of DG EAC and has been strengthening the transfer between research and policymaking through the provision of knowledge and expertise on educational topics of high relevance in the current European context. This webinar will take stock of the most important NESET findings of the last years, illustrating how this knowledge was used to inform EU policy initiatives.

During the webinar, Monika Kepe (DG EAC) addressed the current challenges for European Education, while NESET Scientific Coordinator Dragana Avramov provided a short introduction to the NESET network and the topics it covers.

Ulrike Pisiotis spoke about the council recommendation on learning for the green transition and sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of sustainable educational systems and societies. Antje Disterheft discussed the need for pathways to tackle the environmental crisis.

Annalisa Cannoni highlighted the importance of promoting wellbeing in educational contexts for pathways to school success, while Helen Cowie spoke about the significance of social and emotional learning and student wellbeing. Claudia Koehler emphasized the need to strengthen educational systems' resilience and ensure the inclusion of disadvantaged children.

Ulrike Storost provided insight into welcoming Ukrainian and other refugees in EU educational institutions, and Cosmin Nada discussed ways to support newly arrived migrant and displaced children in their education.