Brussels, 28/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - The High Level Expert Forum on Mobility, set up by the European Education and Training Commissioner Ján Figel', to improve European mobility, held its inaugural meeting on 24 January. The aim was to identify the measures needed to increase exchanges of young people, improve support for mobility in vocational training or adult learning, and foster mobility among young artists, entrepreneurs, and volunteers. The group will deliver a short strategic report to the Commission in mid-2008. The Forum, to be chaired by Professor Maria João Rodrigues, who has been involved in the Lisbon strategy from its creation, and who has advised the Commission on a wide range of policy issues, comprises 11 members, each with expertise in relevant fields. Opening the meeting, Commissioner Figel' highlighted the need to promote mobility among workers and among citizens, and the EU's need of a mobile, flexible work force to ensure its economic prosperity. He said that his decision to convene the group was inspired by the success of the Erasmus university exchange programme and the desire to extend access, in line with the Commission's December 2007 paper on the strategic orientation for the Lisbon Strategy. This document said that, given that it was an “important stimulus” for personal development and language skills, Erasmus had to be extended so that “in time, it becomes a standard part of university education”. The Commission also encourages mobility through other “education” programmes, such as Leonardo, Comenius and Gruntvig, and hopes that the discussions led by the expert group will take the issues further. (I.L.)