The lighting speed of technological evolution has an impact on a wide range of activities while unlocking new possibilities for critical thinking and creativity. Education and literacy are significant fields as part of this fast-forward setting, it is therefore key to adapt learning practices to new environments.

In this context, the COST Association organised a COST Connect on education and learning practices on 5 and 6 June 2019 in Brussels. This event brought together researchers, policy makers and funding organisations active in the field, to discuss the challenges ahead in innovative education learning practices.

It offered the possibility to create new synergies and collaborations and to identify steps needed at the national and European level as part of the future mission in the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

Prof Rui A. Alves, Chair of COST Action “Strengthening Europeans’ capabilities by establishing the European literacy network”, said: “We need diverse networks in order to change society. And COST brings those tools to promote change in education and to keep European literacy going on.”

This workshop gathered 17 COST Actions (listed below) where participants working on similar fields were able to connect within an interactive forum.

Dr Martin Persson, Chair of the Action “European Cleft and Craniofacial Initiative for Equality in Care“ stressed that the COST Connect setup “facilitates discussions amongst different researchers from different backgrounds and allows to share ideas to come-up with great solutions.”

This will help citizens developing the skills and knowledge required to navigate in a complex and technological environment, and to understand the world around them and manage risks from global interconnected innovations.

Read more about the COST Actions involved: