Brussels, 16/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - European ministers responsible for higher education are meeting with representatives of the academic world on 18 and 19 September in Berlin to take stock of follow-up to the Bologna process. The some 250 participants expected will thus discuss the efforts accomplished by each country in the creation of a European Higher Education Area. The German Federal Minister for Education, Edelgard Bulmahn, and Italian Minister for Education, Universities and Scientific Research, Letizia Moratti, will make the opening and closing speeches. In the message that she is to send to the ministerial conference, Commissioner Viviane Reding will stress the need to give fresh impetus to the Bologna process and a reference framework for university qualifications at European level. The setting in place of a European higher education area mainly requires enhanced confidence between universities and acceleration in the recognition of diplomas.
We recall that the Bologna declaration was signed in 1999 by the ministers of 34 European countries. The Bologna process comprises six priorities: improved readability of diplomas, the establishment of a credits system, the adoption of a system based on 2 cycles, promotion of mobility, cooperation in assuring quality and promotion of the European dimension in higher education. Info: http: //http://www.bologna-berlin20