On Tuesday, 17 April, Commissioner Figel' joined Australian Government representatives, business leaders, and members of Melbourne's education community to celebrate 50 years of Europe and commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Rome, the cornerstone of the EU we know today.

The event Treaty of Rome - Europe 50 years on was held at the Immigration Museum, Melbourne. In his speech, Commissioner Figel' asked: "What kind of union is Europe celebrating?" He then addressed this question stating: "The goal (of the European Union) was and still is ensuring lasting stability and peace in the region. The countries that founded the Union fifty years ago, and those that have since joined, have enjoyed the longest period of peace our continent remembers."

"The Union continues to be a community of values - values of respect for human dignity, liberty, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. The main objectives of the Union are now to promote peace, the Union's values and the well-being of its peoples. Over the past 50 years the Union has grown both larger and deeper. What started as an economic community is now an organisation with significant political features."

On EU-Australia cooperation in education, Commissioner Figel' said: "Co-operation in education is mutually beneficial for the EU and for Australia as it allows both systems to learn from each other. The EU and Australia already have an excellent political dialogue covering a wide range of topics. We share the same values and ideals and so it is unsurprising that we should also share the same objectives for our people. Over 25 years our relationship has grown to encompass cooperation in the field of security, science, standards, transport, environment, development assistance and many more. To complement our excellent political dialogue, education and training is the area where the European Union and Australia should and will do more together."

The Victorian Minister for Education Services, Skills & Employment and Womens' Affairs, the Hon Jacinta Allan, responded to the Commissioner's address.

During his visit to Australia, Commissioner Figel' met with Minister for Education, Science & Training, The Hon Julie Bishop, and Minister for Vocational and Further Education, The Hon Andrew Robb, to discuss bilateral cooperation, the Bologna and Copenhagen processes (European initiatives to create a European Higher Education Area and promote the European higher education and training worldwide) and the proposed European Institute of Technology.

On 18 April Minister Bishop and Commissioner Figel' signed a joint declaration in Sydney to strengthen education cooperation. The declaration provides for joint consortia projects and policy-oriented dialogue covering issues such as the Bologna process, quality assurance, indicators and benchmarking, efficiency and equity, and qualification frameworks.

Commissioner Figel' also addressed Sydney's business community on Innovation issues at a reception hosted by the European Australian Business Council (EABC).

On 19 April, the Commissioner addressed the University of Sydney's International Forum on the Bologna process and the internationalisation of education. Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Australia, Bruno Julien, also spoke at this event on the overall bilateral EU-Australia relationship.

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Joint Declaration on education and training

On 18 April 2007, the European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Mr Ján Figel', and the Australian Minister for Education, Science and Training, The Hon Julie Bishop MP, signed a Joint Declaration reinforcing co-operation in the fields of education and training.

Media releases and speeches

Speech - Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel' - "The Future of Education - Bologna and Beyond" at The University of Sydney
(19 April 2007)

Speech - His Excellency Mr Bruno Julien, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union to Australia and New Zealand, on the occasion of the visit of the Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel', at The University of Sydney
(19 April 2007)

Speech - Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel' - "Education, Research, Innovation"
hosted by the European Australian Business Council
(18 April 2007)

Release - European Commissioner highlights EU-Australia cooperation in higher education
(18 April 2007)

Speech - Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel' - "The Treaty of Rome - Europe 50 Years On"
(17 April 2007)

Release - European Commissioner celebrates EU's 50th anniversary with Australia
(16 April 2007)

Release - European Commissioner's visit to boost EU-Australia relations in education and training
(13 April 2007)

 

Commissioner Figel's CV available online at:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/figel/profile/profile_en.htm