“How did you go bankrupt?” “Gradually, then suddenly”
Babs van den Bergh, Neth-ER’s vice-president and director of Universities of the Netherlands director quotes Ernest Hemmingway in her opening address to illustrate the urgency of investing in education, research and innovation. The excellent reports of Letta, Draghi, Heitor and Niinistö share one message: Europe’s competitive edge depends on knowledge-based sectors. Van den Bergh remarked that one report seems to be missing: the expert roadmap on education? She welcomed the newly announced Skills Union, but stated that skills are often defined in a narrow and technical way. More is needed in today’s world: analytical skills and critical thinking are key in developing students into world citizens. Erasmus+ is thus also crucial in the rapidly changing global landscape. Van den Bergh invited the speakers and the audience to reflect on how strategic investments in education, research and innovation can help our continent.
"Don't be a pessimist. Or an optimist. Be an activist."
Keynote speaker Caroline de Gruyter, EU correspondent for Foreign Policy and Dutch newspaper NRC, provided the audience with a bespoke overview of Europe’s position in the global world order. Her diagnosis is bleak, but realistic: Europe lost its dominant position in the world. Europe is not able to control disruptive technologies like AI. Moreover, Europe can no longer take its security for granted. Fortunately, De Gruyter offers hope by quoting Jacques Delors: "Don't be a pessimist. Or an optimist. Be an activist." And action is needed, argued De Gruyter. Action is needed for Europe to establish itself as the leading continent on education, research and innovation. By turning itself into a ‘brain economy’, Europe can once again become an influential powerhouse. Therefore, EU Member States need to prioritize investing in knowledge.
Europe: an independent continent where talent flourishes
Tom Berendsen (EPP) and Marit Maij (S&D) joined Caroline de Gruyter in a political reflection on the position of the EU in a changing world. Berendsen underlined the need for the EU to become less dependent on other global superpowers, particularly in the field of critical raw materials. Other continents should depend on us, instead of the other way around and the EU should therefore be a leading force in research and innovation. Striking the right balance between regulating and establishing a favourable innovation climate in which scientists and companies can thrive is key. Marit Maij stressed the need to continue international collaboration in research and education. Successful programmes like Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe deserve to be maintained and strengthened. In order to boost Europe’s competitiveness, Maij recognizes the importance of skills. She added the vital role of personal development: as a society we need to invest in people to unlock their individual talents and skills. Moreover, Maij calls for an increased European budget for education, research and innovation. She warned, however, that it this increase should not come at the expense of other important European funds that aim to build an inclusive and cohesive union.
Investing in R&I: low risk, high reward
Finally, the event invited experts from the knowledge sector to join a panel discussion on their future actions and ambitions. Conny Aerts, member of the Heitor group on Horizon Europe and professor at KU Leuven, and Alexandr Hobza, Chief Economist of the Directorate-General of Research and Innovation, took the floor first. Professor Aerts was very clear about the key elements of the new Framework Programme (FP). She called for a stable and ringfenced budget of 220 billion euros. Currently, the EU misses too many opportunities to boost excellence due to insufficient funding opportunities. It is also important to trust scientists. Trusting scientists from the start will lessen the bureaucratic trouble and help them focus more on their research. Hobza’s key message also revolved around the high return of investment when spending money on education, research and innovation (R&I). He pointed at the need of prospering knowledge ecosystems, which include businesses and universities. An environment that fosters R&I will also be able to be more proactively in following trends.
An inclusive Erasmus+ for the future of tomorrow
Bas Sikkema, treasurer of VET student organisation Jongeren Organisatie Beroepsonderwijs, and Mylou Miché, President of student organisation “Interstedelijk Studenten Overleg”, displayed a strong vision on the need of EU investments in education. Sikkema flagged the absence of automatic recognition of VET diplomas as problematic. Without universal recognition, VET students are less likely to reap the benefits of European integration. Only in the Netherlands already, half a million students are not able to freely move abroad to use their talent and skills in other EU member states. Miché also highlighted the importance of increasing the level of inclusion regarding Erasmus+. While Erasmus+ has been a great success over the years, first generation students are having a hard time finding their way to the exchange programme. Miché argues that this is a missed opportunity in the EU’s mission to decrease the perceived gap between young people and the European Union.
“Let’s be vocal”
Neth-ER director Jurgen Rienks wrapped up the event with highlighting key messages: to boost Europe’s competitiveness and unlock Europe’s talent, the EU needs to invest in education, research and innovation. Rienks emphasized the need to be proactive in these discussions about the future of Europe and to let our sector’s voices be heard: “let’s be vocal and let’s not wait for what is coming”.
