THEORETICAL BASIS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROCESSES: BASIC CONCEPTS

Abstract

The research is based on a theoretical and strategic approach to the analysis of the main concepts of European integration with an emphasis on European integration processes in the field of education. Based on thorough scientific research by foreign scientists, the stages of development of European integration (explanatory, analytical, constructive) are highlighted. The theoretical foundations of the main concepts that prevailed in the history of the emergence and development of European integration in the 20th century and had a significant impact on the formation of EU policy are analyzed, and the theoretical developments of the most famous representatives in each of these areas are summarized: federalism – R.N. Coudenhove-Kalergi, functionalism – D. Mitrany, neofunctionalism – E.B. Haas, Ph. Schmitter, transnationalism (or the communication concept of European integration) – K.W. Deutsch. One of the important aspects of European integration in education is highlighted – the establishment of the European information and educational network Eurydice. It is concluded that at the beginning of the 21st century. a clear vision of the irreversibility of further integration of European countries was formed in society. Modern Ukraine deepens cooperation with the EU in the field of education and science, develops international partnerships, harmonizes educational regulatory legal acts and expands cooperation with EU countries, produces new opportunities in the context of the development of educational and scientific innovations, digitalization, professional development, and reform of general secondary education. Ukraine's European choice is determined by its geopolitical position and the common history of the formation and development of European culture. Now, in the conditions of the long-term military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, Ukrainians have become much more positive about European integration sentiments and are supporting them with practical actions. Therefore, at the current stage of educational development, integration is considered the most significant innovative educational direction of the 21st century. The prospect for further research in this direction is a more in-depth analysis of the theoretical aspects of adapting national education in Ukraine to European standards, understanding the priorities, principles, and directions of reforming national education in the context of its integration into the European and global educational space.