The Communiqué adopted at the meeting underlines the importance of maintaining the existing stakeholder approach post 2010, which means that universities, students, business, in tandem with governments, will share responsibility for the development of future reforms and cooperation. It underlines the importance of increasing the quality and quantity of mobility in Europe, taking forward lifelong learning, and improving researcher careers.

All relavant documents can be obtained from: http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwijs/bologna/conference/documents.htm ,as accessed on May 13, 2009.

Bologna Global Policy Forum brings together decision-makers worldwide

For the first time as part of a Bologna Ministerial Summit, Ministers of education from the 46 European countries participating in the Bologna process were joined by Ministers or heads of delegation from 15 countries from Africa, Asia, America (North and South) and Australasia as part of the so-called "Bologna Policy Forum".

During the forum, which highlighted the growing interest in the Bologna process outside of Europe, participants took part in a debate on international higher education cooperation and partnership with a long-term view to developing and enhancing links between the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and the rest of the world.

A statement adopted by all participants notes that all countries recognise the importance of public investment in higher education and its importance in sustainable economic recovery. It also underlined the importance of global sharing of knowledge, and the importance of a air recognition of studies and qualifications for enhancing mobility. Noting the commitment to long-term collaboration through for example the organisation of joint seminars, the Ministers agreed to hold a similar Forum during the next meeting in Vienna in March next year.

Source: EUA newsletter 09/2009.