Dear Colleagues and Partners,

Thank you for all the voices of support, empathy and friendship that we in ETF have received and keep receiving from friends and colleagues in our partner countries . The situation in Italy and Europe is indeed critical and your solidarity and concern is much appreciated by us all in these most difficult of times.

As the world is facing this serious crisis, I would like to express the solidarity of the ETF to all our Partner Countries facing the common challenge of the current outbreak of COVID-19. It is at times like this that we rediscover the importance of human contacts and relationships.  Times of crisis call for new approaches also in the way we organise our societies and economies. Teaching and learning are directly affected and we as experts in this sector need to support the identification of challenges, the exploration of new ideas and the dissemination of best practice.

The ETF staff is working at distance from home in line with the Italian government’s decrees to fight against the spread of the virus, and we are following closely the situation in each of our Partner Countries, through the active searching and reaching out made by our staff members, and in particular by the Country Coordinators. We are committed to resume our support and work with you, and we are reviewing the best way to do it. Our ETF Open Space (https://openspace.etf.europa.eu/) has already opened a number of discussions to share ideas and resources and promote peer exchange.

We will strengthen our engagement through digital and on-line tools and will be launching also some new actions to understand the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the education and training systems and what can be done in order to facilitate the post-crisis delivering modes. Thus, we will get in touch with you very soon to understand better what is the situation in your country and how ETF can support.

The ETF wishes to be well prepared together with you to face the changing future perspectives. Human capital development policies are at the core of ETF mandate, which are a current and future common challenge for all.

The ETF is committed to promote forward-looking innovation of our education and training systems.  

 May your families, colleagues and friends stay healthy, safe and high in spirits.