Key Competencies for a Successful Life and a Well-Functioning Society

In 1997, under the auspices of the OECD, the project entitles 'Definition and selection of competencies: theoretical and conceptual foundations' (DeSoCo) was launched with a view to identifying the key competencies crucial to leading a successful and responsible life in this increasingly complex and globalised world. Based on theoretical and conceptual approaches to competence and informed by political and practical considerations, a conceptual frame of reference for key competencies was developed. This book delineates this framework and offers an important contribution to the debate on priority areas for competence development and on policies aimed at enhancing key competencies.