European Trade Union Committee for Education

Today, 11 October 2018, together with different stakeholders partners of the Platform on the implementation of the Sustainable Goals (SDGs) in the EU, ETUCE has addressed the present and future leaders of the European Commission and other EU institutions, all players having a strong stake in people’s sustainable living, and in the environmental, social, economic and governance developments of Europe, to develop and to implement a visionary and ambitious Strategy for a Sustainable Europe by 2030.

The Multi-Stakeholder Platform on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the European Union was established in May 2017 to support and advice the European Commission and all stakeholders involved on the implementation of the SDGs at EU level. Under the chairing of the European Commission’s First-Vice President Timmermans, responsible for better regulation, inter-institutional relations, the rule of law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the platform has reached today a consensus on a set of recommendations on how to transform the Sustainable Development Goals into practical solutions for the wellbeing of the present and future generations in the EU and beyond. The platform recommendations are to inspire and to guide the European Commission’s Reflection paper ‘Towards a Sustainable European by 2030.

Representing the voice of teachers and education personnel and their view on quality education, the ETUCE engaged in a process of discussion with civil-society, non-governmental organisations, the public and the private sector in regular meetings to this end. Among the areas that have a vital role in achieving the SDGs, the EU was recommended to invest more in its people, employability and social inclusion and to guarantee quality education. Despite different backgrounds, opinions, perspectives and deals with difficult trade-offs, by sharing the common ambition to transform the SDGs into reality for all people in and outside the EU, the Platform has managed to build a consensus on the need for a coherent approach to sustainable development, based on the recognition of planetary boundaries, the respect for human rights and the rule of law, the commitment to a transformation of the current social and economic model and, most importantly, on the need to leave no one behind – by ensuring fast actions for the poorest and most marginalised in society.

“By committing to the achievement and implementation of the SDGs in Europe and beyond, teachers and their unions are engaging to empower all people with the possibility to imagine an alternative sustainable way forward for Europe, other than the feeling of dissatisfaction, resignation and fear nurturing undemocratic, racist and nationalist movements across Europe, raising challenges for democracy and for the future of European societies”, Susan Flocken, ETUCE European Director, said.

The Contribution of the Multi-Stakeholder Platform on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the EU Reflection Paper, October 2018, is to be made available shortly at this link.