The Nordic OfficialBolognaSeminar inOslo28 -29 September 2006

Looking out! Bologna in a global setting!

Ministry of education and research is this week hosting an international seminar on higher education together with the Nordic countries and Nordic Council of Ministers. The seminar aims to develop strategies for cooperation between countries within the Bologna process, and countries outside the process. The seminar gather 160 experts on higher education from 39 countries.

In Europe, 1999 became an important year in the field of European Higher Education. Ministers of Education of 29 European states met with university leaders from all over Europe to discuss the further development of higher education in Europe. The vision to develop a European Higher Education Area within the year of 2010 was stated in their post-summit declaration – the Bologna declaration. This development process is known as the Bologna Process.

The content is among others adoption of comparable degrees, a joint system of credits, promotion of mobility for students, academic and administrative staff and a European cooperation in quality assurance. After the Bologna meeting, the ministers have met every other year - in Prague (2001), Berlin (2003) and in Bergen (2005). The number of priority areas has increased since the Bologna meeting in 1999, so have the number of members of the Bologna Process - to 45 states in 2006. The next ministerial meeting will be 17th of May 2007 – in London.

The 45 Bologna ministers stated in Bergen in 2005 that the European Higher Education Area should be open and attractive to other parts of the world. In order to share experiences with non-European countries within a satisfactory framework, they asked the Bologna Follow Up Group (BFUG) to develop a strategy on the so-called external dimension of the Bologna Process. A Working Group with representatives from 11 Bologna states and 8 organisations are now working together to present a proposal for a strategy document to the BFUG. The Working Group is chaired by Norway.

To provide significant input for this work, three official Bologna seminars have been arranged: The first one was given by the Holy See in March/April 2006 and the second was the Greek seminar in Athens in June 2006, hosted by the Ministry of Education in Greece.

This third seminar is hosted by the five Nordic countries in collaboration with the Nordic Council of Ministers in Oslo 28 - 29 September 2006. About 160 delegates from 39 countries will be present, included approximately 20 persons from non-European countries – representing teachers and students from universities, university colleges, stakeholder organisations and governments from all continents.

Norway is a leading country in Europe when it comes to fulfil the Bologna goals. One of the most important issues now is to contribute to find the best possible models for cooperation with the non-Bologna countries/areas. In order to do so, Norway want to give input for a balanced strategy when it comes to competitiveness, attractiveness, cooperation and capacity building. A Strategy must be seen in relation to which area of the world Europe is approaching. The development of a strategy on the external dimension ought also to be seen in connection with the OECD/UNESCO guidelines for quality provision of Cross-Border Higher Education.

The Norwegian Minister of Education and Research Mr. Øystein Djupedal will give the opening address Thursday 28th of September.

A good strategy on the external dimension of the Bologna Process will increase the mobility among students and teachers, give new inspiration and new relationships.

Venue: The new library at the University of Oslo, Blindern, Moltke Moes vei
Time: 28th of September: 13.00 – 18.30
29th of September: 09.00 – 14.00

Contact: Johannes Fjose Berg, KOM, mobile +47 474 09 206