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This document contains the background discussion paper and the conclusions from the conference on lifelong development of competences and qualifications in European Union (EU) member states and EU acceding and candidate countries. The conference, held in Athens in May 2003, was organised jointly by the European Training Foundation, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), the Federation of Greek Industries, and the Greek General Confederation of Labour. The background discussion paper reviews some key aspects of employment and industrial relations in the future member states as well as their particular relevance to the challenge of improving the skills of the states' workforces and general populations. It highlights the importance of dialogue and partnership as key factors in fostering the potential of human resources, which in turn is a prerequisite for achieving a knowledge-based Europe. A number of questions are raised to stimulate the debate between stakeholders and participants during the conference. The document also contains a summary of general conclusions from the conference along with the conclusions from the discussions of three working groups. The groups examined three areas of priority that the European social partners believe to be crucial for the implementation of the lifelong development of competences in their 'Framework of actions for the lifelong development of competences and qualifications'. These areas are: (1) mobilising resources and investing efficiently in competences and qualifications; (2) analysis and anticipation of skill and training needs; and (3) guidance and counselling.