Crossing Borders: European Cooperation for success

For half a century, the European Union has delivered peace, prosperity and stability. Fostering economic cooperation has been one of its main incentives. As a result, the conflicts among economically independent countries have reduced. Nowadays, the European Union is no longer only a partnership of countries, but also a single market. Another result of the globalization which is related to the free movement of goods, services, people and capital is the risen standard of living. When aiming to create one strong and competitive economic area, the first step has to be to reach equal standards among all countries. This means to support and help disadvantaged countries to develop and reduce their deficits but also to ensure sustainable growth without limiting the opportunities for future plans. One of the keys to successful and sound growth without restricting future possibilities is trans-national cooperation. In terms of competition, the only aim is to be more productive and generate more added values. Within international cooperation, every participant can benefit from knowledge or expertise exchange and learn more about cultural diversity.



Text Sample:

Chapter 2, Education & Training:

2.1, Introduction and General Information:

,Education, training and youth play an essential role in a knowledge-based economy as they support growth and employment by encouraging the emergence of a highly qualified and adaptable population. They also strengthen social cohesion and active citizenship within the European Union.’

This is the core statement of the European Union for education and training. To develop and improve the education and training area the Eu-ropean Council has set up an action and development plan. This plan is called the Lisbon Strategy and was set in Lisbon, Portugal in 2000. Since it was created and the aims were adopted the political cooperation in education and training became stronger. As an effect of a stronger cooperation it was possible agreeing on common targets. New work programme and a strategic framework for European cooperation could be set up. ,Education and Training 2010’ or ,ET 2020’ are two of these work programmes to ,encompass all types of education and training and all stages in lifelong learning.’ Programmes as ,Lifelong Learning Program’ (2007-2013) or Erasmus Mundus (2009-2013) are only two of the funding supporter. But also agencies, other initiatives and a number of networks are supporting the actions in education and training. One of these initiatives e.g. is the Central European Initiative (CEI). By following the same goals as the programmes and action plans of the European Union the most important aim is to make Europe one strong single market and ,the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.’ Regardless to projects launched by the European Union to improve the general situation in the project area it is the most important to ensure a quality and sustainable education. Without education and training it is impossible to develop plans to improve and reduce the problems within the project area. Getting to know the general situation but also the specific needs of an area also belongs to a kind of learning and general education. Without this information it is also impossible to launch projects as the Central European Programme. Therefore it must be ensured that the education stays the most important part of developing Europe.

The Lisbon Strategy:

The Agenda of this meeting builds the basement for all further deci-sions taken about the education and training including the Life-long Learn-ing Program which emerged from the Lisbon Process. The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen the economy and implement some long-term measures to make Europe the most competitive economic area in the world. It was required to take action because the world is influenced by an increasing globalization which makes it necessary to set the pace in all economic areas looking at the aim of becoming the strongest economy. The increase of Information and Communication Technology is accelerat-ing and is of high importance for a life-long learning in private or profes-sional way. Prior to the Lisbon Process other meetings as the Cardiff-, Cologne-, and Luxemburg Agenda have been taken place and set a range of instruments and processes so it was not necessary to create new and it was decided to strengthen and improve the existing ones. As already mentioned the rapid technological change was defining one of the most important areas of action of the Lisbon Process and setting a key factor in accessibility. Aim was to make ICT (Information and Communication Technology) available for as many people as possible. The system would not want to leave anyone behind doesn´t matter which social category, race, religion or gender. By shifting to knowledge driven society the Euro-pean Union needs to adjust to a more global world by setting policy directions and cooperation with all member states. The level of education plays an important role in this connected world and can be improved by creating networks among education and training institutions. As a result of a higher educational level the European Union becomes more competitive and a real entrepreneurship can develop. The Council of Lisbon is not setting up only action plans for growth and development in an economic way but also considering sustainable macroeconomic stability, promoting social integration, ensuring support for a knowledge society and also guaranteeing social stability in times of an ageing population.

The next chapter will give an introduction to the Bologna Process and ist contents.

The Bologna Process:

Within the Bologna Process the cooperation between countries in the European Union should be increased. As the main concept of the Process it encourages countries to reform their higher education system without taking the responsibility from the nations or universities neither taking away cultural or linguistic diversity. The cooperation shell be increased by implementing a more transparent system which is comparable to other countries´. The first step of reaching a more transparent higher education system is to equalize the diploma supplement to Bachelor – Master – Doctorate. Therefore the whole education is set with two cycles; a first one oriented to the labour market and a second one in condition to the complete the first. Also the recognition of the lectures within the cycles has to be adapted to an equal standard. In use here is the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) which is also used for the Erasmus program. In terms of quality education the Bologna Process aims at an increase of cooperation between the HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) and to promote mobility for students, teachers and researchers. The key competences for setting a basement for educational development are highlighted in the following paragraph.