a
what was at stake
b
green position
c
what we achieved
d
what we did not achieve

On the contribution of the European Institutions to the consolidation and progress of the Bologna process

Since the Bologna Process was launched in 1998, some headway has been made in boosting universities' accessibility for students across the EU.

However, a number of obstacles still remain. Moreover, in the implementation of the process, too much attention is being paid to students' employability, which is undermining the humanist traditions of academic education.

 

What was the Greens' position?

The Greens support the objective of making European universities open to anyone able to prove that they have the requisite qualifications.

We also believe there is a need to facilitate the recognition of foreign diplomas.

The Greens also insist that academic education differs from vocational training, and that both, while receiving the same level of interest and support, should retain their specific characteristics.

In other words, support for research and personal development should not be cut so that more money can be spent on bolstering immediate employability or profitability.

All university students should be able to receive general tuition with a humanist dimension.

 

Did other MEPs accept the Greens' position?

The Greens succeeded in incorporating the core elements of their position in the report.

For example, we successfully called for the extension of research projects being implemented together with third countries, the facilitation of universal access to European universities and the maintenance of a clear emphasis on academic research.

 

Which points did the Greens lose?
Lack of support, even from other progressive groups, like the GUE/NGL, which abandoned the negotiations at the last minute and went on to propose an alternative Resolution, prevented the Greens from securing more precise wording with regard to universal access and truly academic education in the report.
Reference(s)
Committee:CULT

Procedure:Own-initiative procedure

Reference(s):2011/2180(INI)

Lead MEP:Luigi Berlinger (S&D)

Green MEP responsible:Malika Benarab-Attou

Voted:09/02/2012

Staff contact:Frédérique Chabaud (Email)