Education and Quality Jobs

Abstract

The present research is the result of a rich intercultural dialogue on the relationship of education and youth employment/ unemployment in the countries of the European Union (EU). The Education International EUROPE, the European Trade Union Committee for Education and the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) set the framework for the present study and for the intercultural dialogue by organizing a course (September 2013-June 2014) where 24 young people aged 21-35 from different European countries have learned, studied and worked together under the “THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL” motto. The study is based on the pragmatic approach to research that uses mixed methods, techniques and procedures: the use of a variety of data sources, the use of multiple perspectives to interpret the results and the use of multiple methods to study the research problem. The context of this research is the rapid deterioration of young people’s living and working conditions caused by the impact of the Great Recession on European labour markets that also have a tragic impact on education and motivation.