The economic recession has major social consequences in terms of higher unemployment rates – especially among young people – increased risk of poverty and social exclusion, heightened social tensions and weaker social cohesion. In addition to rolling out appropriate economic, employment and social policies, governments need to invest in education and training policies that generate sustainable economic and social benefits for individuals and their communities.

• When making crucial decisions on education budgets, do policy-makers take into account the wider social benefits of education, such as health and civic and social participation?
• How can education policies be designed to strengthen non-cognitive competences, values, norms and attitudes with regard to health, civic and social participation?
• How can policy coherence across sectors be enhanced – for example between education and health policy?

Background reading

• Issues Paper 4. Re-inforcing the social benefits of education
• Migrant Education
  ..... Closing the Gap for Immigrant Students: Policies, Practice and Performance
  ..... Pointers
• Social Outcomes of Learning
• Higher Education in Regions: Globally Competitive, Locally Engaged
• Early Childhood Education and Care
• Improving Health and Social Cohesion through Education