Future Learning: EU Integration and Digital Modernization in the Age of Climate Change Policy

The project seeks to close information and knowledge gaps about key EU institutional and policy developments – where certain fields have witnessed a recent acceleration from the policy side (e.g. climate change policy/Green New Deal; new trade treaties which stimulate trade, innovation, growth – for example with Japan and the UK; and the first EU-China Investment Protection Treaty, enhancing foreign direct investment flows and growth) or in the context of the Corona shocks (digital economic expansion which in turn raise the topic of digitalization and digital taxation). These fields are of crucial importance for upper second-level teachers in Germany and indeed other EU countries. The economic and politico-economic logic of EU integration in the era of globalization, digitalization and the new interdependence EU(+UK)-US-Asia/China are emphasized. This contributes to more inclusive and cohesive, greener and more digitally-fit societies. Teachers active in the areas of the Social Sciences/Economics/Politics often face the problem that traditional text books and materials do not cover these key, and current, fields which are crucial from an EU perspective as well as from a societal perspective. The project will help bridge this information & knowledge gap and develop appropriate tools for teacher trainings in an efficient, structured and innovative way – in German and English. The project: 

• Allows schools to build knowledge about the EU among their teaching staff.
• Offers structured training proposals on key EU subjects for schools, as well as content and methodologies for teachers teaching at various levels.
• Delivers individual specific or group training courses (modular, residential, blended or online) for teachers interested in the EU and willing to integrate EU subjects in their work.
• Reinforces the confidence of teachers in integrating an EU angle in their daily work in areas not directly covered within the project – thus creating value-added and spillovers in all areas.

Digital skills and competences will be developed as well as fostering knowledge of EU actions in the forward-looking fields (climate change, clean energy, ICT/robotics, big data analysis, artificial intelligence) which are crucial for sustainable growth, innovation dynamics and cohesion as well as rising trade and foreign direct investment dynamics. Thus, key elements contributing to sustainable growth and ensuring equity, prosperity and social inclusion in Europe and beyond are emphasized.