EU Policy & Research

Our Vision

QUEST envisions an EU education landscape centred on children’s and youth rights. Schools would be at the service of social transformation, undertaking education with human-rights, social and environmental justice lenses, supporting the ones who need more care, and providing the development of the potential of everyone. Students would have a say and participate in matters affecting their own lives, benefitting from learner-centred learning pathways, prioritising their long-term well-being and skills acquisition. Children would make primary decisions about their learning experience, co-constructing the school context they grow in. Schools would be open, going beyond the classroom, taking place in a diversity of learning environments and in interaction with various social groups. Young people’s image as positive changemakers would lead them to collaborate on the research and identification of solutions to social and environmental problems. Teachers would embody a guidance role as “helper” rather than “instructor”, granting more autonomy to learners. This would renew connections between teachers and learners, and foster teachers’ overall well-being and job satisfaction.

Whom do we represent?

Children and young people’s voice on the European stage and beyond

Teachers and legal guardians seeking an empowering education for their children

A network of 90+ members spread within 32 EU countries and beyond working on cutting-edge education

Our Policy objectives

To reach this vision, the Policy & Research division leads different actions at the EU-level :

Promoting the well-being and rights of children, youth and educators relating to their education and future prospects

Contributing to the establishment of laws at national and European levels enhancing learners’ and educators’ rights

Denunciating human rights breaches linked to the broader education of children, youth and lifelong learning of teachers

Raising awareness over children and youth’s right to self-determination, to learning in a safe and healthy environment, to build their futures and participate in society.

Our means of action

We pursue these objectives through:

Evidence-based research on young people’s participation in the EU, their overall well-being and learning pathways, but also on teachers’ well-being and needs.

Analysis of EU and national law on education, children’s rights and participation

Policy monitoring & feedback on EU legislative initiatives to be encouraged

Dialogue with decision-makers to promote young people’s participation in decision-making processes as well as healthy participative education pathways

Dissemination of education good practices at the EU level, to promote their transversal adoption across countries.

Our Advocacy approach

A Human-rights approach

Based on International Law

No political descent

An advocacy informed by its members’ priorities and expertise

collective action

QUEST takes part in different coalitions, alliances and initiatives to promote children’s rights and protection (Child Rights Action Group, Alliance for Investing in Children), children’s meaningful participation in decision making (Alliance for Investing in Youth) and consideration throughout EU-level education initiatives (Erasmus+ Coalition, Education for Climate Coalition).