European Ministers adopt conclusions on HE modernisation, mobility and a renewed agenda for adult learning

Ministers meeting at the Council of EU (Education Committee) in Brussels from 28 to 29 November adopted a resolution on a renewed European agenda for adult learning and conclusions on several important HE-related issues including the modernisation of higher education and a new mobility benchmark. They also agreed to modify the EU's financing instrument for cooperation with industrialised and other high-income countries.
A resolution on the renewed European Agenda for Adult Learning
The resolution on the renewed European Agenda for Adult Learning adopted this week by Ministers aims to continue, complement and consolidate work in the field of adult learning under the four strategic objectives identified by the Council in the "ET2020" strategic framework. The objectives and short-term priorities are outlined in this document.
Modernisation of higher education
The Council also adopted conclusions on the modernisation of higher education in response to the recent Communication from the European Commission: ‘Supporting growth and jobs - an agenda for the modernisation of Europe’s higher education systems’ (published in September 2011). The conclusions welcome the communication and emphasise the crucial role of higher education in achieving the Europe 2020 strategy goals, which set the ambitious target that "by 2020 the share of 30-34 year olds who have completed tertiary or equivalent education should be at least 40 %".(Find out more about EUA’s response to the EC modernisation agenda here.
New Benchmark for learning mobility
Ministers also adopted conclusions on the proposal of a benchmark for learning mobility, to “complement the five existing reference levels of European average performance” ("benchmarks"), agreed under the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training ("ET 2020") and to be collectively achieved by 2020. The new benchmark states that by 2020, “an EU average of at least 20 % of higher education graduates should have had a period of higher education-related study or training (including work placements) abroad, representing a minimum of 15 ECTS credits or lasting a minimum of three months”. This announcement comes at a time when the Bologna Follow-Up Group (BFUG) is also debating how to refine and measure the Bologna Process mobility benchmark of 20%, agreed in Leuven/Louvain in 2009.
EU financing measures for cooperation with developing countries
The Council has also made an important modification to its funding instruments for cooperation with industrialised countries (ICI) While in the past the ICI  was restricted to  industrialised countries, under  ‘ICI plus’ funds can also be used in collaboration with emerging countries (such as Brazil, China, India and Iraq). This has implications for the Erasmus Mundus programme, for example, and all higher education external actions that promote international partnerships. Regarding the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) it was stated that, in the future, flexibility for using funds for covering tax expenses could be granted on a case by case basis, but not in principle. This has and continues to be an issue, as for example VAT charges that incur in cooperation with university partners in developing countries had to be borne by the universities. EUA has frequently lobbied for changes regarding the DCI, most recently in the EU consultation on the financing of external actions. To find out more about all of these and other issues discussed and adopted at the Council of EU meeting, click here.