The future of the Bologna Process is jeopardised by inadequate working conditions and the low status of employees in the sector

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ETUCE is deeply concerned about the implementation of the Bologna Process and the future of the European Higher Education Area.

The Paris Communiqué, to be adopted by the Paris Ministerial Conference this Thursday, 24 May, will focus on ensuring ‘fundamental values’ such as freedom of expression, autonomy for institutions, academic freedom, independent students’ unions and free movement of students and staff remain integral to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

However, ETUCE member organisations regularly report[1] about deterioration of the supporting environment to staff in higher education. “We regret to see that in Europe, employees in the higher education and research sector continue to face threats to their academic freedom, and the teachers and researchers in the sector suffer from deteriorating working and living conditions, including salary freezes and cuts” – said Susan Flocken, European director of ETUCE related to the Paris Ministerial Meeting.

Therefore, we call (click here) the ministers for structural changes in higher education and research to support teachers and researchers for the sake of a successful future for the Bologna Process. In our Call and in our Report (click here) published for the attention of the ministers, we present four demands concerning the future of the Bologna Process and:

  1. The better protection of academic freedom as one of the fundamental values of the Bologna process;
  2. The importance of greater core public investment in higher education and research;
  3. The need to ensure a supportive working environment for staff, including improved job security and working conditions, and
  4. A call for better recognition of teaching in higher education.

[1] ETUCE – EPSU: Pay in the public services – how workers continue to pay for the crisis, 2017