The European Expert Network on the Economics of Education (EENEE)
The European Expert Network on the Economics of Education (EENEE) is a network of internationally renowned education economists that the Commission has been working with since early 2004. The network advises and supports the Commission in the analysis of education policies and reforms and of their implications for future policy development at national and European level. EENEE complements the work of the social sciences and education network NESSE and of the Centre for Research on Lifelong Learning (CRELL). The network supports policy development activities, such as the preparation of the Commission’s influential Communication on ‘Efficiency and equity in European education systems’. In addition, EENEE supports peer-learning activities in which policy-makers from several Member States exchange information and share knowledge on good policy practice.
The Network of Experts on Social aspects of Education and Training (NESET)
NESET is an independent network of researchers working on social aspects of education and training. It supports the Commission in analysing education policies and reforms. Equality and inclusion in and through education and training is a central concern in all NESET work. Besides scientific co-ordinator Professor Sally Power from Cardiff University (UK), several scholars and researchers from several European countries make up the core group of NESET, which is supported by a wider group of affiliated experts from across the world. NESET has succeeded the NESSE network of experts which concluded its work in February 2011. To know more: NESET website, NESSE website.
NESSE
NESSE is a network of scholars working on social aspects of education and training. It was set up in 2007 after a Call for Tenders by European Commission's Directorate General for Education and Culture. The Institut National de Recherche Pédagogique (INRP, France) is responsible for the coordination of the network. Professor Roger Dale (Bristol) is currently the network's scientific coordinator. NESSE's mission is to advise and support the European Commission in the analysis of educational policies and reforms, and to consider their implications at national, regional and European level. NESSE also contributes to the dissemination of knowledge on social aspects of education and training.
CRELL
The Centre for Research on Lifelong Learning (CRELL) was established in 2005 in order to provide expertise in the field of indicator-based evaluation and monitoring of education and training systems and their contribution to the achievement of Community objectives specified in the Lisbon Agenda and more recently in the EU2020 agenda as regards this domain. CRELL combines expertise in the fields of economics, econometrics, education, social sciences and statistics in an interdisciplinary approach to research.

More than 100 European personalities from the worlds of education, art, literature, economics, philosophy and sport have signed an open letter to EU heads of state and government in support of the threatened Erasmus student exchange programme.
The signatories come from every Member State of the EU and include the Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar, the president of FC Barcelona Sandro Rosell, Nobel Prize winner Professor Christopher Pissarides and several Olympic champions. They are responding to concerns that student places on the scheme, as well as grants, may have to be severely reduced due to wrangling over the 2012 and 2013 EU budgets. The programme already faces a €90 million shortfall this year and it is feared the situation will worsen in 2013. Over the past 25 years, Erasmus has enabled nearly three million young Europeans to study abroad. More recently, it has also supported job placements in companies abroad. A whole generation has learned what it means to live and work alongside people from another culture, and to develop the skills and versatility which are vital for the modern labour market.
The letter warns that unless the 2012 and 2013 EU budgets are sufficient to meet pledges already made to students on the basis of previously agreed commitments, "thousands could miss out on a potentially life-changing experience".
The threat to the programme could not come at a worse time for Europe's young people. Youth unemployment among 15 to 24-year-olds has increased by half since the start of the crisis and, today, one in five young Europeans – more than five million – are without a job.
The letter calls for investment in education and training to be at the heart of Europe's response to the crisis. It also highlights the Commission's plans to increase opportunities for young people to boost their skills and employability under the new 'Erasmus for All' programme, due for launch in 2014.
The letter concludes: "Erasmus for All will cost less than 2% of the total EU budget. In the coming weeks, you, the EU's government leaders, will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to endorse the new programme and give it the resources it needs. Our youngsters deserve it. Our future depends on it."
Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, welcomed the publication of the letter. "The Erasmus programme has been changing lives and opening minds for 25 years. Long may that continue! Young people have had to bear the brunt of the crisis. They need our support more than ever now. I am proud and moved that so many people, from different walks of life, have come forward to declare their support for Erasmus."
Press release "European personalities urge EU leaders to back Erasmus" (IP/12/1192)

On behalf of the Organising Committee we are glad to invite you to take part in the fifth Annual Edition of ICERI2012 (5th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation) that will be held in Madrid (Spain) on the 19th, 20th and 21st of November, 2012.
ICERI2012 will be an International Forum for those who wish to present their projects and innovations, having also the opportunity to discuss the main aspects and the latest results in the field of Education and Research.
The general aim of the conference is to promote international collaboration in Education and Research in all educational fields and disciplines. The attendance of more than 700 delegates from 70 different countries is expected.
We invite you to submit your abstracts and to attend in order to share your achievements in the fields of education and collaborative research. The deadline for submitting abstracts is July 30th.
There will be three presentation modalities: Oral and poster presentations (in-person) and virtual (for those who can not attend in person)
Two ISBN publications will be produced with all the accepted abstracts and papers that will be included in our digital library database of innovation projects in Education and Research.
In addition to the technical aspects of the programme, our website provides you with useful information on the beautiful city of Madrid, with an enormous cultural richness and lovely places of interest.
We look forward to seeing you in Madrid!

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User-Generated Content
E-content Management and Development. Open Content
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