Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI) E DUCATION AND ITS IMPACT ON SOCIAL CAPITAL AND HEALTH – W ELCOME Dr. Dirk Van Damme Head of CERI – OECD/EDU

Educations economic benefits… The concept of human capital has driven OECDs interest in education –CERI was established in 1968 Public and private returns on investment in education remain high –Even in the current crisis Investing in knowledge, skills and competences remains a crucial strategy for economic recovery and to prepare th 21 st century economy 25-Feb Education, Social Capital and Health Conference

But thats not the full story Outcomes of learning are impacting on many other domains of social life than economic success, employment and income Education has probably become the main determinant of societal opportunities in contemporary societies –Concept of social capital 25-Feb-2010Education, Social Capital and Health Conference 3

Social progress Hence, education can be an important driver of societal progress But educations impact and meritocracy also can be new sources of inequity and social problems –Inequity and lack of efficiency in education systems generate the new social question –Education may also produce negative social effects (e.g. undesired health behaviour) 25-Feb-2010Education, Social Capital and Health Conference 4

The Research Agenda Exploring the non-economic impact of education and learning –Knowledge and skills influencing behaviour, lifestyles and attitudes Finding evidence to establish the causal links between education and social capital –Methodological issues Demonstrating how improving efficiency and equity in learning outcomes can promote social progress 25-Feb Education, Social Capital and Health Conference

The Policy Agenda Increasing political interest in non-economic drivers of social progress –Fostering social cohesion is major political objective in many OECD member states –Stronger, Fairer and Greener –Stiglitz-Sen Commission on Measuring well-being and social progress and subsequent OECD Agenda –Pittsburgh G20 Meeting in September 2009: strong political interest in social consequences of the economic crisis 25-Feb Education, Social Capital and Health Conference

CERIs SOL Project Social Outcomes of Learning –Started in 2005 to explore the available evidence of the impact of education on Health: health issues are major political concern Civic and social engagement: related to social cohesion and good functioning of political democracy –First conceptual face: OECD (2007), Understanding the social outcomes of learning. –Second empirical phase 25-Feb Education, Social Capital and Health Conference

CERIs SOL Project Indicator of social outcomes of education now included in Education at a Glance SOL work will feature prominently in the 2010 Ministerial EDPC meeting on Investing in Human and Social Capital: new challenges SOL work will provide input to OECD work on measuring social progress Hopefully next phase in CERIs work programme Feb-2010Education, Social Capital and Health Conference 8

Objectives Assessing the evidence base –CERIs SOL project –WHOs Commission on Social Determinants of Health and WHO/Health Scotland work –Health Behaviour in School-Age Children Exploring the relevance for policy development –Available policy options –Inter-sectoral dialogue and whole-of- government policy approaches 25-Feb-2010Education, Social Capital and Health Conference 9

Thank you ! The Norwegian Ministry of Education & Research WHO, HBSC and other partners Tom Schuller & Koji Miyamoto 25-Feb Education, Social Capital and Health Conference