To think about Europe in 2030 there will be increasing pressure of the redundant problems. Topics such as the European economy, identity, energy, healthcare and social integrity are only a few challenges facing Europe. However, these problems are difficult to solve. There must be an increase in knowledge and a change in consciousness. The only solution can be a huge improvement in education.

In the future it will be of great importance to exploit talents and encourage them. Until now we are too much focused on weaknesses, though it would be a great improvement to focus on strengths and talents instead. Furthermore, we have to focus on innovation, as it will be the main key to success. Europe currently has a competitive advantage due to this factor and we have to increase it by 2030.

The flexible usage of new technology and production forms will continue to gain importance. Only those who anticipate the changing needs of the customers in the market will be successful. Therefore, the education system must adapt to these new topics.

A special challenge for schools and universities will be the promotion of creativity as necessary for success in the business, as well as the academic world. In this way we will find the solutions for future and current problems in politics, energy, health care, European economy and social integrity. Creativity gets promoted by giving the employees more freedom to make their own decisions. Future employees will bring more knowledge and higher skill level. For this, a highly and specialized training will be needed, as well as the ability to cross-linked thinking and adaptability. Creativity will be the value generation for companies in 2030.

In politics, as well as in companies, education is seen as a cost. We must change this perception of education, so that it is seen as an investment that will lead to better payment and good solutions for all of Europe.

There should be three levels of education: consciousness, knowledge and skills. A wider understanding of these three levels is necessary. As an example, the European energy politics will need to change in all three levels.

Due to the many challenges facing Europe, the ability of resilience will become more important on the basis of upcoming uncertainties such as global finance, economic relationships, political development and climate change. Resilience is a personal and a general competency, such as self-motivation and self-reflection combined with social and methodical skills. Therefore the personal development of each individual will have the same importance as their professional education.

Continuous education will become a life long process and especially the elder generation will have to find an organizational approach. This important demographic is under-represented in the education system.

To educate and teach future students, new universities should be founded and old ones should be promoted. More students should go to high school and should study at universities. In addition, all other students below high school will require higher degrees of knowledge. Taking Europe 2030 into consideration, the differences between the countries should decrease. These differences now are unacceptable for a union that has to be compatible, yet in direct competition with the emerging Asian and Indian markets. In the last 20 years Europe has mainly invested into infrastructure with a lot of wrong allocation and senseless projects. Now it is time to change, take the money and invest into education. Especially the southern European countries still have a long way to go.

Another factor of future education is strengthening teamwork at an early stage. The ability to work as a team requires the skill of listening, taking responsibility and conflict management. These are key skills that the educational process has to support. In a global world, teams will be more and more multicultural and diverse. Diversity skills will be therefore no longer a nice to have trait, but furthermore a necessity and must be trained.

In the future every child should have access to good education. Every child should have the chance to go to university or attain higher degrees of education in order to get a good job.

In summary education will no longer be seen as a cost, but much more of an investment and the solution for our urgent problems. These problems have to be solved in the next 17 years by 2030. The problems will be huge and the time is short.

 Therefore, we had better start now to change the European education system.