SOCIAL COMPETENCES, SOCIAL CAPITAL AND EDUCATION

Abstract

?his article refers to the current theoretical and policy debate on key competences, skills and qualifications, which every citizen in society must have or acquire, through a process of lifelong learning, in order to be able to cope with the challenges and demands of phenomena such as (economic) globalization, information technologies and multiculturalism as a result of the new character of migration flows. The recommendation of the EU Council and Parliament on key competences for lifelong learning, which include “social and civic competences”, is indicative. The purpose of this article is two-fold: Firstly, to provide a contemplative review of some frequently used concepts within educational policy contexts. Secondly, to initiate a discussion on the relation between social capital and social competence, from a learning perspective, focusing on the question: Why is there such a huge interest in social skills and competences today, and what is the role of education (and what kind of education?) in the creation of social capital in society?