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Abstract: The publication is a collection of essays by extraordinary individuals who have brought about real change in their field of activities and disciplines. They are doers and innovators, practitioners and experts. The themes are purposefully wide-ranging, reflecting the broad and interdisciplinary nature of the Europe 2020 strategy. The foreword by Wim Kok, former prime minister of the Netherlands and author of the Kok report on the midterm review of the Lisbon Agenda, sets the scene perfe ...; [Read more...] The publication is a collection of essays by extraordinary individuals who have brought about real change in their field of activities and disciplines. They are doers and innovators, practitioners and experts. The themes are purposefully wide-ranging, reflecting the broad and interdisciplinary nature of the Europe 2020 strategy. The foreword by Wim Kok, former prime minister of the Netherlands and author of the Kok report on the midterm review of the Lisbon Agenda, sets the scene perfectly for the ensuing articles, putting the current crisis in a global context and reflecting on some of the key lessons to be drawn from a decade of experience with the Lisbon Agenda.

Abstract: Without proper investment in skills, people languish on the margins of society, technological progress does not translate into economic growth, and countries can no longer compete in an increasingly knowledge-based global society. The global economic crisis, with high levels of unemployment, in particular among young people, has added urgency to fostering better skills. At the same time, rising income inequality, largely driven by inequality in wages between high- and low-skilled worke ...; [Read more...] Without proper investment in skills, people languish on the margins of society, technological progress does not translate into economic growth, and countries can no longer compete in an increasingly knowledge-based global society. The global economic crisis, with high levels of unemployment, in particular among young people, has added urgency to fostering better skills. At the same time, rising income inequality, largely driven by inequality in wages between high- and low-skilled workers, also needs to be addressed. The most promising solution to these challenges is investing effectively in skills throughout a lifetime: from early childhood, through compulsory education, and during the working life. The OECD Skills Strategy provides a strategic framework to help countries understand more about how to invest in skills in a way that will transform lives and drive economies. It will help countries to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their existing national skills pool and skills systems, benchmark them internationally, and develop policies for improvement. In particular, the strategy provides the foundations upon which governments can work effectively with all interested parties – national, local and regional government, employers, employees, and learners.

Abstract: The global financial crisis and the ensuing recession have had devastating consequences for employment and poverty reduction. The ILO estimates that 34 million more people worldwide are unemployed now as a result of the crisis. Combating unemployment and striving to attain decent work for all must be a key priority as the global economy emerges from the downturn.