Boundaries in Higher Education: A European Approach to the Global Debate Emily R. Herchen BMW Center for German & European Studies Georgetown University Emily R. Herchen BMW Center for German & European Studies Georgetown University

“What is presently happening in co-operation in the field of education tells us, that not only is a European Space of Education in its making, common principles of education are being agreed upon between Member States, leading logically to a European Model of Education ” Anders Hingel, 2001 Directorate-Generale for Education & Culture, European Commission “What is presently happening in co-operation in the field of education tells us, that not only is a European Space of Education in its making, common principles of education are being agreed upon between Member States, leading logically to a European Model of Education ” Anders Hingel, 2001 Directorate-Generale for Education & Culture, European Commission

Outline  Problem: Background & Approach  Findings in Four Parts  Cooperation  Perspective  Nationality  Capacity  Conclusions  Looking Forward  Problem: Background & Approach  Findings in Four Parts  Cooperation  Perspective  Nationality  Capacity  Conclusions  Looking Forward

What?  What roadblocks stand before the realization of an integrated European system of education?  A national question?  A regional concern?  What roadblocks stand before the realization of an integrated European system of education?  A national question?  A regional concern?

Why?  Historical use of education as a nation- building tool  Increasing global mobility & facility of communication  Movement toward an integrated Europe  Historical use of education as a nation- building tool  Increasing global mobility & facility of communication  Movement toward an integrated Europe

How?  Cross-analysis of case studies  Focus:  Cooperation  Perspective  Nationality  Capacity  Cross-analysis of case studies  Focus:  Cooperation  Perspective  Nationality  Capacity

Cooperation Responsible Authority: A Question of Cooperation  Facilitate compatibility & understanding within the mobile labor force  Protect core democratic values, social beliefs & cultural ideals  Re-define adaptation process  Facilitate compatibility & understanding within the mobile labor force  Protect core democratic values, social beliefs & cultural ideals  Re-define adaptation process

Perspective Quality Assurance: A Question of Perspective  Ensure greater transferability of qualifications  Develop a contextual framework for mutual recognition  Recognize the importance of external evaluation  Ensure greater transferability of qualifications  Develop a contextual framework for mutual recognition  Recognize the importance of external evaluation

Nationality European Boundaries: A Question of Nationality  Acknowledge the conceptual impact of the nation-state  Recognize shifts in the border recognition  Explore the expanding common cultural space  Acknowledge the conceptual impact of the nation-state  Recognize shifts in the border recognition  Explore the expanding common cultural space

Capacity Diverse Locations: A Question of Capacity  Consider the translation of European norms  Account for individual motivation  Take stock of financial obstacles  Consider the translation of European norms  Account for individual motivation  Take stock of financial obstacles

In sum…  Roadblocks to educational harmonization:  Cultural Traditions - Authority & Sovereignty  Monetary & Political Constraints  Allow for responsible authority  Encourage the diversity of perspective  Foster a European ideal plus national identity  Address the diversity of location  Roadblocks to educational harmonization:  Cultural Traditions - Authority & Sovereignty  Monetary & Political Constraints  Allow for responsible authority  Encourage the diversity of perspective  Foster a European ideal plus national identity  Address the diversity of location

Looking Ahead:  Explore the interplay between national organizations and European institutions in aligning the educational environment  Reduce research gaps  National strengths & weaknesses  Comparative efficiency  Relative impact of quality assurance programs  Explore the interplay between national organizations and European institutions in aligning the educational environment  Reduce research gaps  National strengths & weaknesses  Comparative efficiency  Relative impact of quality assurance programs

“What is presently happening in co-operation in the field of education tells us, that not only is a European Space of Education in its making, common principles of education are being agreed upon between Member States, leading logically to a European Model of Education ” Anders Hingel, 2001 Directorate-Generale for Education & Culture, European Commission “What is presently happening in co-operation in the field of education tells us, that not only is a European Space of Education in its making, common principles of education are being agreed upon between Member States, leading logically to a European Model of Education ” Anders Hingel, 2001 Directorate-Generale for Education & Culture, European Commission