Dear Friends, 

Welcome to the first newsletter of this year. We have a lot to report on although it has only been a full month since the new year started.

We have officially kicked off the Year of Equitable Access to Education by a major event, the first ever EPA-organised meeting attended and addressed by the EU Commissioner for Education, Tibor Navracsics. It was on the Eve of the 1st European Education Summit, you can read our reports on both in this newsletter. It has proven to be a very timely topic as the EU is working on major new initiatives in education as well as the next MFF providing the financial background for it.

You should have received the call to declare your annual operating income if your organisation wants to ask for a reduced membership fee. You can do so be clicking on this link by Thursday, 15 February. You will receive the invoice and the member's form before the end of February. Make sure to send the member's form back as soon possible, otherwise you may stop receiving our newsletter according to new data protection regulations.   

As you know we had a special GA last week, where a majority of full members have decided to start a brand new period in the life of EPA. Please save the date for the Annual Conference and the GA accompanying it if you want to have your say on this new course. It will be held on 27/29 April in Milan, as previously announced. You will soon receive the invitation with the registration link with a short registration deadline to ensure accommodation in Milan. In case you are arranging your flight in advance, be aware that the event will start with school visits on Friday morning as usual, but the GA will be in the afternoon on Sunday, not Saturday.  

All the best for the Year of Equitable Access to Education for All of You,
 

Eszter Salamon
President