The ability to shape one’s own development, as well as the autonomous and responsible participation in professional life and society, taking into account the ethical context of one’s own behaviour.

The above definition refers to the meaning of “competence” included in the EQF and PQF.

The term also operates in other areas of science (eg. in psychology, sociology and educational sciences).

The definition is consistent with the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2008.

The term “kompetencje społeczne” ( social competence) must not be confused with “kompetencje” (competences). With reference to the EQF and PQF “kompetencje społeczne” (social competence) is understood as a special category of “kompetencje” (competences).

Individual categories of learning outcomes in EQF and PQF should not be treated as completely disjoint, since learning outcomes referred to as “knowledge” embrace a certain component of “skills”, learning outcomes referred to as “skills” embrace certain elements of “knowledge”, and both “knowledge” and “skills” constitute a significant component of social “competence”.