This year's key topics are "Innovative solutions for competence development"; "Quality and qualification in the new learning space"; "The eLearning citizen: a lifelong challenge for the European societies"; "Employment in focus: providers and consumers of eLearning"; and "Arts, music and culture in the digital learning environment".


Plenary addresses will be presented by senior officials from the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee, chief academic and research professionals, and by high-ranking representatives of the corporate sector. They will analyse the state of the art, highlight strategic trends, and evaluate the progress and perspectives of distance and eLearning from the point of view of innovation, competence development, employment, and competitiveness.


At the opening session, on the afternoon of 14 June, the conference will be launched by the high-level address by the European Social and Economic Committee and eLIG - the European E-learning Industry Group. An eye-opening, creative keynote from the world of media arts will supplement the professional policy speakers.


The first plenary session, on 15 June, will address the topic "Towards a research and innovation strategy for European lifelong learning", presenting the major trends and progressive European initiatives from a strategic viewpoint. The focus will be the contribution to modernisation, competitiveness, and the effective use of innovation in the knowledge industries.


On 16 June, "Developing e-competences for employment and lifelong learning in the knowledge society" will be the main theme. From the perspective of changes in the economic and social environment, a presentation will be made regarding how e-learning can be made successful for competence building. Speakers from the European Commission and the corporate and academic sectors will ensure the high relevance of the session.


The highlight of the third conference day will be the closing plenary session, "World panorama", with contributions by distinguished leaders of chief distance and eLearning organisations from regions of major interest: China, the US, and Africa. This exclusive presentation of the global state of the art of distance and eLearning will offer a festive closing to the EDEN Anniversary conference, concluding in farewell lunch reception.