Romania between low and high: the validation of non-formal and informal education. Legislative framework analysis.

Recognition of non-formal and informal learning is a priority for the policy agendas of all countries. Although learning usually takes place in a formal context, much of the learning is done either non-formal or informal. Experience and skills obtained in non-formal or informal context cannot be used in employment due to lack of opportunity for certification.Recognition and validation of non-formal and informal learning outcomes contribute to the visibility of human capital, capitalizing it to the whole society in various ways.Non formal and informal learning specific issues is part of the European agenda for some time. Since 2001 began a series of initiatives to recognize competencies acquired in this way, the results varied from one Member State to another.In December 2012 the European Council adopted a recommendation for validation of non-formal and informal education. Therefore, by 2018 all Member States must build and deploy national systems of recognition of skills acquired through non-formal and informal.Keywords: validation, formal education, non-formal education, informal education, human and intellectual capital