Consolidated version of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union<\/p>\n
Download or open the entire text of the document<\/a><\/p>\n TITLE XII<\/p>\n EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, YOUTH AND SPORT<\/p>\n Article 165<\/p>\n (ex Article 149 TEC)<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0\u00a0The Union shall contribute to the development of quality education by encouraging cooperation between Member States and, if necessary, by supporting and supplementing their action, while fully respecting the responsibility of the Member States for the content of teaching and the organisation of education systems and their cultural and linguistic diversity.<\/p>\n The Union shall contribute to the promotion of European sporting issues, while taking account of the specific nature of sport, its structures based on voluntary activity and its social and educational function.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0Union action shall be aimed at:<\/p>\n \u2014\u00a0developing the European dimension in education, particularly through the teaching and dissemination of the languages of the Member States, 3.\u00a0\u00a0The Union and the Member States shall foster cooperation with third countries and the competent international organisations in the field of education and sport, in particular the Council of Europe.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0\u00a0In order to contribute to the achievement of the objectives referred to in this Article:<\/p>\n \u2014\u00a0the European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, after consulting the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, shall adopt incentive measures, excluding any harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States, Article 166<\/p>\n (ex Article 150 TEC)<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0\u00a0The Union shall implement a vocational training policy which shall support and supplement the action of the Member States, while fully respecting the responsibility of the Member States for the content and organisation of vocational training.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0Union action shall aim to:<\/p>\n \u2014\u00a0facilitate adaptation to industrial changes, in particular through vocational training and retraining, 3.\u00a0\u00a0The Union and the Member States shall foster cooperation with third countries and the competent international organisations in the sphere of vocational training.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0\u00a0The European Parliament and the Council, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and after consulting the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, shall adopt measures to contribute to the achievement of the objectives referred to in this Article, excluding any harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States, and the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, shall adopt recommendations.<\/p>\n Download or open the entire text of the document<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u2014\u00a0encouraging mobility of students and teachers, by encouraging inter alia, the academic recognition of diplomas and periods of study,
\n\u2014\u00a0promoting cooperation between educational establishments,
\n\u2014\u00a0developing exchanges of information and experience on issues common to the education systems of the Member States,
\n\u2014\u00a0encouraging the development of youth exchanges and of exchanges of socio-educational instructors, and encouraging the participation of young people in democratic life in Europe,
\n\u2014\u00a0encouraging the development of distance education,
\n\u2014\u00a0developing the European dimension in sport, by promoting fairness and openness in sporting competitions and cooperation between bodies responsible for sports, and by protecting the physical and moral integrity of sportsmen and sportswomen, especially the youngest sportsmen and sportswomen.<\/p>\n
\n\u2014\u00a0the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, shall adopt recommendations.<\/p>\n
\n\u2014\u00a0improve initial and continuing vocational training in order to facilitate vocational integration and reintegration into the labour market,
\n\u2014\u00a0facilitate access to vocational training and encourage mobility of instructors and trainees and particularly young people,
\n\u2014\u00a0stimulate cooperation on training between educational or training establishments and firms,
\n\u2014\u00a0develop exchanges of information and experience on issues common to the training systems of the Member States.<\/p>\n