International cooperation in the field of education and research
Sweden participate in a large number of international cooperation projects in the areas of responsibility covered by the Ministry of Education and Research. The aim of these projects is to draw attention to and focus on individual issues as well as to exchange experience across national borders. Below is a presentation of some of the international organisations, councils and other bodies through which Sweden works.
The European Union - EU
Sweden has been a member of the European Union since 1995. The Union currently comprises 27 member countries. A total of 32 countries, including the EEA countries and applicant countries, are involved in the EU's work in the education sector.
The EU does not legislate directly on education. Cooperation takes place through various cooperation programmes and joint agreements. There is, however, joint European legislation in areas such as the recognition of academic qualifications from other European countries.
The EU countries agreed on the Lisbon Strategy in 2000. The objective is that by 2010 the EU is to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and a greater level of social cohesion.
Nordic Council of Ministers
In 2008, Sweden will hold the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. During the Swedish Presidency the promotion of top-level research, gender equality in education and vocational training will be in focus in the field of education and research. In addition, Sweden wants to develop Nordic cooperation by building networks and supporting projects with a Nordic profile.
For the purpose of strengthening cooperation and integration between the Nordic countries, a number of programmes have been created in the field of education, one of which is the Nordplus exchange programme. Studying in the other Nordic countries and different kinds of exchange are important instruments for Nordic cooperation. As of 1 January 2008 the Baltic countries will be full participants in the Nordplus programme.
The basis of Nordic cooperation in the field of education and research is a strategy for 2008-2010. This strategy states that the Nordic region is to serve as a model for skills development and research. The Nordic region is also to be a cohesive and dynamic area of education, research and innovation where high educational and research standards are sought.
Research and development
Sweden has long been an active participant in the EU's framework programme for research and development. Sweden has, for example, been one of the driving forces behind the creation of the ERC, the European Research Council which is taking shape. The EU Council of Ministers has decided that Europe is to become the most dynamic, knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010.
Education
Cooperation in the field of education takes place through special cooperation programmes, joint agreements and exchange in policy issues. As a result of the Lisbon Strategy the EU education ministers have agreed on joint European goals for the Member States' education policies in the Education and Training 2010 programme. Three objectives are to be achieved by 2010: improve quality and effectiveness in education systems, make access to education systems easier for everyone and open education systems up to the rest of the world. Within the framework of the programme for lifelong learning, students are given the opportunity to study in another European country and people who work in the field of education are given the opportunity to cooperate across borders.
The Copenhagen Process for Vocational education and training
In the area of vocational education and training (VET) there is deeper cooperation within the framework of the Copenhagen Process, the aim being to improve the quality of VET and increase students' mobility between countries. The Member States have agreed on joint principles and instruments for career guidance, recognition of skills and competences (validation) and how qualifications should be presented clearly and in a similar way so as to be comparable. The aim in the long term is increased labour market mobility within and between countries.
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe's most important role is to strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law in all its 46 member states. Work in the field of culture and education mainly takes place in the five steering committees for education, higher education and research, culture, cultural heritage and youth. The work of the Council of Europe includes promoting the recognition of education and qualifications and supporting the development of higher education, for example in the former Soviet Union. The Council of Europe's campaign "All different - All equal" is being run in 2006-2007. The campaign aims to strengthen young people's knowledge of human rights and non-discrimination issues and to encourage young people to take part in the building of peaceful societies.
The Bologna Process
Sweden plays an active role in the Bologna Process which aims to increase European cooperation in the area of higher education. The goal is to make training programmes and qualifications more comparable, something that will help to create greater mobility for everyone - students, teachers and the working population. The process involves 45 European countries and is an example of intergovernmental cooperation.
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development - OECD
The OECD is an international cooperation organisation for economic development and has 30 member states. It serves as a forum for analysis and the exchange of ideas and experience. Its activities aim to encourage long-term economic growth and employment as well as an expansion of non-discriminatory world trade. The work done by the OECD in the area of education involves comparative statistics and thematic reviews.
The OECD plays an important role in analysing and discussing education policy by compiling comparative statistics and reviews of the member states' education systems; this contributes to debate about education policy.
In the area of research, Sweden takes part in the work of the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation Governing Board. This is where the member states discuss and compare priorities in the area of the research. Studies have been initiated - for example on the research and innovation systems in different countries - in which Sweden and other countries have been studied in an attempt to understand how research and development affect growth and employment.
UNESCO
UNESCO is the UN body responsible for cooperation in education, science, culture and communications/media. The Swedish National Commission for UNESCO is in charge of cooperation with Swedish agencies, institutions and other bodies within UNESCO's areas of responsibility, and serves as a link between UNESCO and Sweden.
UNESCO carries out strategic work with the aim of achieving the UN's millennium goals for education. "Education for All" is UNESCO's main programme for schools. UNESCO supports cooperation projects between universities and higher education institutions with a focus on developing countries. UNESCO has drawn up agreements on the mutual recognition of higher education and qualifications.
The most important questions in UNESCO's science programme - in which Swedish scientists are also involved - are the long-term sustainable development of the world's water supplies, ethics in research, support for human rights and the battle against discrimination.
Since 2005, UNESCO has also been responsible for coordinating the UN Decade for Education and Sustainable Development.
