138 Copyright © 2011, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. Chapter 8 E-Learning Challenges in the European Knowledge- Based Society: Romania Case Study Cristina Barna Spiru Haret University, Romania Manuela Epure Spiru Haret University, Romania Ruxandra Vasilescu Spiru Haret University, Romania INTRODUCTION The chapter presents the e-learning challenges in the European knowledge-based society in the context of relaunching Lisbon growth and jobs strategy, of the European Lifelong Learning Program 2007 – 2013, and of the 2009 European Year of Innovation and Creativity. The main ob- jectives of the chapter are the awareness of the e-learning role for the success of the European Lifelong Learning Program 2007 – 2013, and for innovation in education as a key challenge in the knowledge-based society. We deal with the AbsTRACT In the context of 2009 European Year of Innovation and Creativity, this chapter focuses on ICT for innovation as a key challenge in the knowledge-based society. Today we are facing the growing com- plexity of the e-learning phenomenon and its role as a basic tool for high quality education and train- ing. The authors approach the importance of e-learning in the European Lifelong Learning Program 2007 – 2013, the conceptual framework of e-learning, the characteristics of a teaching philosophy that provides stability, continuity and long-term guidance in the e-learning environment, the imperative of quality assurance and improvement in e-learning– a new paradigm in higher education systems, and the interdependencies between e-learning, e-inclusion and e-working. The Romanian case is presented as a comparative study with the EU and US standards in higher education. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61692-791-2.ch008