On Wednesday, the European Commission rolled out a new strategy aimed at bolstering crisis preparedness across the European Union, which includes introducing emergency response education in schools.
Under the proposal, students across the EU will receive training on how to handle various crises, including natural disasters and cyberattacks. The plan also suggests integrating “preparedness” lessons into school curricula, empowering students with the skills needed to tackle disinformation and information manipulation.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy presented in Brussels, which is yet to be approved by EU member states and the European Parliament. According to the Commission, Europe is increasingly facing complex challenges, including geopolitical tensions, cybersecurity threats, foreign interference, and climate change-driven natural disasters.
To address these threats, the EU has outlined 30 “key actions” and a comprehensive action plan to strengthen crisis response capabilities. Among the proposed actions is the establishment of an annual EU “Preparedness Day” and a recommendation for citizens to maintain emergency supplies to last at least 72 hours during a crisis.
The strategy also proposes creating an EU crisis hub to improve coordination between existing EU crisis structures and strengthen collaboration with external partners such as NATO.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen remarked, “The changing landscape requires a new level of preparedness in Europe. Our citizens, Member States, and businesses need the right tools to prevent crises and respond swiftly when disaster strikes.”
EU Crisis Commissioner Hadja Lahbib added, “450 million citizens. 450 million reasons to be better prepared.”
