"A change of perspective is important." A conversation with Dr. Anna Maslon-Oracz

By Paweł Sternicki

In an era of global economic uncertainty, education emerges as a critical force for resilience and innovation. To explore its transformative potential, The Allowance sat down with Dr. Anna Maslon-Oracz, a renowned scholar in European economic policy and a current faculty member at the prestigious Warsaw School of Economics. She unpacked the role of education as Europe’s economic cornerstone, the challenges that lie ahead for the European Union, and the untapped potential of an EU-Africa partnership.

A Blueprint for Resilience: The Role of Education in Europe’s Economic Future

Q: What role do you believe education plays in shaping Europe’s economic resilience and innovation in the global market?

“Education plays a critical role in shaping Europe’s economic resilience and fostering innovation in the global market.” Dr. Maslon-Oracz began. “By equipping citizens with relevant, high-quality skills through lifelong learning, the European Union ensures that its workforce is adaptable and competitive.”

Maslon-Oracz pointed to the OECD’s data on literacy, numeracy, and ICT skills as clear indicators of where improvement is needed. “Moreover, education underpins Europe's strategy to modernize its economic systems, as seen in initiatives like the Europe 2020 targets to reduce early school leaving and increase tertiary education attainment. These efforts promote inclusivity and reduce social inequalities, creating a stable environment conducive to innovation. Programs like the European Qualifications Framework and the new skills agenda further ensure transparency, mobility, and employability, fostering a highly integrated and skilled labor market across member states.”

Yet, the conversation wasn’t limited to Europe’s internal policies. Dr. Maslon-Oracz emphasized that education’s impact extends beyond immediate skill-building. “Additionally, education serves as a cornerstone for fostering critical thinking, media literacy, and intercultural competencies. These qualities are essential for innovation and global competitiveness, allowing Europe to remain at the forefront of technological advancements and economic collaboration.”

The Challenges Ahead: What’s at Stake for the EU

Q: What challenges do you foresee for the European Union in the next decade, particularly in terms of economic collaboration?

As Europe looks toward the next decade, Dr. Maslon-Oracz identified a set of formidable challenges that could shape its trajectory:

Skill Gaps and Workforce Development: “A significant portion of the EU workforce lacks critical skills, such as ICT literacy and numeracy. Bridging this gap will require sustained investment in education and training systems, particularly for low-skilled adults and disadvantaged groups.”

Diversity and Inclusion: Integrating vulnerable populations and migrants is not just a social issue—it’s an economic imperative. “Ensuring language acquisition, validation of prior qualifications, and preparation for diversity in schools is essential for economic and social cohesion.”

Digital Transformation: The digital economy is evolving rapidly, and Europe must keep pace. “The rapid pace of digitalization demands a workforce equipped to thrive in the digital economy. The EU must invest in innovative education systems that embrace digital tools while ensuring equitable access to technology.”

Economic Disparities Among Member States: Divergences in educational and economic progress across member states could undermine cohesion. “Greater collaboration and use of EU instruments to fund targeted educational reforms will be necessary to align objectives.”

Global Competitiveness: “Maintaining a competitive edge in the global market will require continuous innovation and modernization in higher education and vocational training. The EU must ensure its educational strategies keep pace with global technological and economic trends.”

Sustainable Investment in Education: “Balancing quality education and efficient resource allocation will remain a priority. As the EU faces broader financial challenges, sustained funding for education and training must be guaranteed.”

A Vision for Collaboration: EU and Africa

Q: Are there particular areas where you believe the EU and Africa could strengthen their partnership?

Maslon-Oracz’s insights weren’t limited to Europe. She highlighted the untapped potential of the EU-Africa partnership.

“There has been a great deal of talk about migration from African countries to the EU and the need to provide appropriate regulated migration paths for education or work, but also for humanitarian, political, and environmental reasons,” she stated.

Maslon-Oracz advocated for regulated migration paths for education and work, emphasizing the mutual benefits of deeper collaboration. “In particular, it is worth developing partnerships regulating migration, education, and subsequent work for citizens of African countries. At the same time, it is worth promoting opportunities for education, work, and economic and business cooperation in Africa for citizens of EU countries. Africa is a particularly diversified continent, with enormous potential, which has much to offer Europe. It is worth seeing it as an opportunity and not just as a country of origin for migrants. A change of perspective is important.”

A Call to Action

The conversation with Dr. Maslon-Oracz was as much a diagnosis of Europe’s current challenges as it was a roadmap for the future. At a time of global uncertainty, her analysis highlights the essential role of fostering skills, embracing diversity, and building collaborative bridges with regions like Africa.

As Europe grapples with the twin challenges of innovation and inclusion, the path forward will require sustained investment, bold policy decisions, and a willingness to adapt. With these insights, Europe stands at a crossroads, armed with both challenges and opportunities.

The question remains: will it rise to the occasion?