European, global and intercultural dimension in curriculum development

Vocational training

One of the basic principles regulating advanced vocational training is the adjustment of training and qualifications to the criteria proposed by the European Union (EU). As a result, learning of the languages of the Member States is one of the priority training areas.

Within the curriculum of the different branches of vocational training, the Higher Vocational Training qualification has the most related content to the European and international dimension in their modules. In this category, the modules oriented towards finances and international commerce of the specializations of International Commerce and Marketing and Advertisement are the most significant.

In the International Commerce specialization, students learn how to:

• draw international market studies;
• choose adequate trading communication actions to approach a foreign market;
• elaborate a digital international marketing plan;
• getting a deep understanding of the bodies and institutions related to the international trade;
• analyse the distribution channels in export markets;
• interpret the international contractual legislation which regulates buying and selling operations;
• organise the international activity of firms.

In the Marketing and Advertisement specialization, students learn how to:

• understand the international institutions that regulate or influence the trading activity;
• value sociocultural and formal protocols in international relationships.

In addition, these modules allow learners to learn about:

• international economic structure;
• Spanish international trade;
• economic features of the EU and other countries;
• international and regional bodies;
• multinational firms;
• international funding;
• foreign exchange markets;
• trade system and international markets;
• international credit management. 

University education

Spanish universities enjoy autonomy to design and propose their own curricula. However, the 2007 Act Modifying the Act on Universities states that the Government, the Autonomous Communities and universities, within the scope of their respective competences, are responsible for contributing to the European dimension of education, implementing the necessary measures to achieve the integration of the Spanish university system into the European Higher Education Area.

Partnerships and networks

Partnerships

Jean Monnet Actions are framed within the actions of the Erasmus+ Programme for higher education students and staff.

The aim of these actions is to promote research and teaching experience among young investigators, academics and professionals in the field of the EU, promote the publication and spreading of academic research, and create interest in the UE.

Jean Monnet activities are specified in the following actions:

• Jean Monnet Modules: They are short teaching programmes or courses in the field of EU studies. Each Module has a minimum duration of 40 teaching hours and may concentrate on one particular discipline in European studies or be multidisciplinary in approach. Modules can be developed in a higher education institution in any country in the world. In the case of higher education institutions established in Programme countries, they must hold an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education.
• Jean Monnet Chairs: They are teaching posts with a specialisation in EU studies for university professors or senior lecturers. Teachers must provide a minimum of 90 teaching hours per academic year and a Chair can deepen teaching in EU studies, promote research on EU subjects, or provide in-depth teaching on EU matters for future professionals. Applications must be submitted by higher education institutions; professors/lecturers cannot apply directly.
• Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence: They constitute focal points of competence and knowledge on EU subjects. They aim at developing synergies between the various disciplines and resources in European studies, as well as at creating joint transnational activities and structural links with academic institutions in other countries. They have a major role in reaching out to students from faculties not normally dealing with EU issues, as well as to policy makers, civil servants, organised civil society and the general public at large.
• Teacher training activities: they promote the knowledge of the EU in schools and education and vocational training institutions through the support to teachers training providers.
• Jean Monnet Networks: They foster the creation and development of consortia of international players (higher education institutions, centres of excellence, departments, teams, individual experts, etc.) in the area of EU studies. They realise a broad range of activities, such as, for example, gathering and promoting information, enhancing cooperation between higher education institutions and other relevant bodies, or exchanging knowledge, expertise and good practices.
• Jean Monnet Projects: They support innovation, cross-fertilisation and the spread of EU content. Innovation Projects explore new methodologies in view of making EU subjects more attractive and adapted to various kinds of populations. Cross-Fertilisation Projects promote discussion and reflection on EU issues. Finally, Spread Content Projects mainly concern information and dissemination activities.

Cooperation Partnerships

Among the support to organizations, Erasmus+ offers Cooperation Partnerships, which entail transnational projects to develop and transfer innovative practices as well as promoting cooperation, peer learning and exchanges of experience in the fields of education, training and youth.

Cooperation Partnerships aim at:

• increasing quality in the work, activities and practices of organizations and institutions involved, opening up to new actors, not naturally included within one sector;
• building capacity of organisations to work transnationally and across sectors;
• addressing common needs and priorities in the fields of education, training, youth and sport;
• enabling transformation and change (at individual, organisational or sectoral level), leading to improvements and new approaches, in proportion to the context of each organisation.

Applications must be submitted by an organization established in a country the programme, and must include at least three organizations.

Alliances for Innovation

Similar to Cooperation Partnerships, Alliances for Innovation aim to strengthen Europe’s capacity for innovation capacity by reinforcing cooperation and the flow of knowledge in higher education, vocational education and training.

Some of the promoted activities are:

• Alliances for Education and Enterprises:
  • Foster innovation in higher education, vocational education and training, and enterprises.
  • Projects must include at least 4 participant countries, 3 enterprises, and 3 education and training providers (vocational and higher).
• Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills:
  • Design new strategic approaches and sectoral cooperation as well as the design of study plans and basic training programmes at sector level.
  • Projects must include at least 8 countries, 5 enterprises of the job market, and 5 education and training providers (vocational and higher).