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What are ‘21st century’ or ‘key competences’? Why are they important in school education? What are European countries doing to ensure these competences are taught in schools?

Migration and ethnic diversity creates both challenges and opportunities for schools across Europe. Students born outside the EU are twice as likely to leave school early, making adequate educational support essential. Nevertheless, increased diversity is an opportunity to make schools more inclusive, creative and open-minded. In this article we learn about initiatives that have provided inclusive education for at-risk pupils.

Active citizenship is a basic starting point for democracy in all countries. Adding the adjective ‘European’ to active citizenship raises the idea of the broader aspects of being a citizen in each European country today. With this is mind, the Province of Treviso (Italy) and the Calvados Department (France) developed an exciting project called EYES4C, successfully providing their students and teachers with a real journey into European citizenship.

Teachers have been constant promoters of innovation in schools. However, with regard to the integration of ICT, many teachers do not possess the necessary competences for the pedagogic use of these tools.

Approximately 5 million European citizens aged 18 to 24 are, according to the European Union, “early school leavers”, meaning they have left school having completed only their lower secondary education or less, and are no longer receiving education and training.

It is no secret that studies and careers in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are less popular with girls than boys. While Europe may experience a shortage of up to 900,000 ICT professionals by 2015, if girls chose to follow these professions at the same rate as boys do, much of this skills gap would be bridged.

More than ever, young people need critical thinking and intercultural skills. This month's Inspiring Practice article is about PEK, a ‘Traveller Flea’, who was the protagonist of an exceptional intercultural school project developed within the eTwinning programme.

The “sense of initiative and entrepreneurship” is one of eight key competences for lifelong learning promoted in the European Union, and teachers need to be prepared to introduce it into their classes. This month's Inspiring Practice article presents the Virtual Guide for Entrepreneurial ������Ƶing.

Programming and computational thinking skills are becoming ever more important in our society and working life. This month's Inspiring Practice article introduces us to the pSkills project.