Advancing Higher Education Cooperation in the Mediterranean

SLOVENIA, April 17 - The meeting was chaired by the Slovenian Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Igor Papič. The meeting focused on the topical issue of (legal) migration in the wider Mediterranean area, and how to turn the negative trend of brain drain into a positive trend of brain circulation.

Minister Papič said that the Mediterranean countries had very different experiences of migration; while some were primarily a source of migration, others were countries of destination or transit: "All countries want to prevent brain drain and a shortage of labour force. Cooperation in higher education and joint talent development are one of the strategic solutions to the challenges associated with migration. In this way, we will turn brain drain into brain circulation." To support cooperation in higher education between the Mediterranean countries (for example the mobility of students, teachers, and researchers, joint study programmes), Slovenia has proposed the establishment of a Mediterranean Mobility Mechanism (MMM). The MMM should cover the wider Mediterranean area, not only the MED9 countries but also the countries of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). As the existing European mobility programmes do not reflect the specific needs of the Mediterranean region, Slovenia believes that the MMM will address these specific needs. The MMM will supplement the existing European and national mobility programmes and mechanisms. The representatives of the MED9 ministries agreed that the countries in the region should work together. They commended Slovenia and its Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation for the well-timed initiative, and for creating a common forum for discussion and closer cooperation. Mobility was identified as a strategic tool for addressing challenges.

Dr Iva Ivanković, State Secretary at the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, said that Croatia supported the MMM: "The Mediterranean countries need a collective voice to increase their visibility in the European Union." Mr Nikolaos Papaioannou, Greek Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, also expressed his support for enhanced cooperation within the wider Mediterranean: "I believe that today we can lay the foundations for a successful mobility mechanism between Mediterranean countries."

As the European Commission is considering strengthening cooperation in the Mediterranean, Slovenia has proposed that MED9 should call on the Commission to consider EU initiatives to strengthen support for inclusive and mutually beneficial academic cooperation and long-term institutional partnerships between the EU and the Southern Mediterranean countries. "The mobility mechanism between the Mediterranean countries must be based on equality, inclusiveness, reciprocity and sustainability," stressed Dr Lavinia Monti, Director General for Internationalisation at the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research, expressing her support for the initiative.

Furthermore, the participants agreed that the initiative to establish a mobility mechanism in the Mediterranean should be explored further, and hence endorsed the establishment of a working group to examine this initiative in more detail and to prepare concrete starting points for the establishment of the MMM. The working group will consist of the representatives of all MED9 countries, and the UfM representative will participate as an observer.