Internationalising Higher Education

Europe has seen the transformation of its skills and training systems during a period of accession and harmonisation which began in 1990. Following the Bologna declaration in 1999, the Copenhagen process was launched as the contribution of Vocational Education and
Training (VET) to the challenges identified in the Lisbon strategy. The Copenhagen process has primarily involved developing common European principles and tools, including a common framework for quality assurance in VET, the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the European Credit transfer system for VET (ECVET). VET and skills development have recently returned to the international policy agenda.

UNESCO launched a TVET and skills strategy and announced its new priorities for education in 2010 and 2011 as literacy, teacher training and skills for work. International support is also building for a Global Monitoring Report for Skills, reflecting a growing interest in the skills agenda. The purpose of this session is to consider whether there are any lessons from the European experience of the last two decades for all countries and VET systems, regardless of their stage of development. The panel will be comprised of senior officials from key
European and multilateral agencies working in the skills field.