SOCRATES: the European Community programme in the field of education
SOCRATES was Europe’s education programme which involved around 30 European countries. Its main objective was to build up a Europe of knowledge and thus provide a better response to the major challenges of this new century: to promote lifelong learning, encourage access to education for everybody, and help people acquire recognised qualifications and skills. In more specific terms, SOCRATES tried to promote language learning and to encourage mobility and innovation.
SOCRATES took into account all types of learning – formal and informal – and all levels, from nursery school to university and adult education. Therefore, SOCRATES involved everyone that is part of the education system: pupils, students, teachers, education staff, administrative and management staff. The programme consisted of several actions aimed at reaching the various target groups and at addressing several horizontal issues, such as language training or the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education.
The programme was named after the Greek philosopher Socrates who believed in a humanist vision of the world and rejected dogmatism. His motto “Know thyself” is a fundamental basis for knowledge and the respect of self and others, however large the differences between individuals may be.
DoReMiFaSocrates aimed at collecting and presenting information about activities in the field of music of the European Union programmes.
In particular, the DoReMiFaSocrates website was intended to promote and support the participation of higher music education institutions in the Lifelong Learning Programme by offering customised information and on-line tools to music students, teachers and ERASMUS coordinators.
