EUROPE: now is the time to make the speculation in advanced education

Students' Union, a national umbrella organization of student unions in 45 of the 38 leading countries, and for the last six years of intensive higher education at different levels and in politics, after a year, I am convinced that the momentum of investment in higher education today. Ironically, only a few governments in Europe do not realize this.

Over the past year we have been working very hard with the European Students' Union (ESU) and the European governments to change the views of the commoditization of higher education.

We have witnessed student protests organized from north to south and from east to west, governments or government to raise tuition fees, or the study chose to install a long time as punishment. Some countries, however, are rowing back on student tuition fees or zero contribution to maintaining the position.

Germany budget cuts across all lines, but educational supervision should be the model for all investment priorities in education and about the prospects for long-term, this is not about the financial crisis, it is not about the Bologna process - whatever that tells you your minister.

With regard to the Bologna process, an area where the ESU its work next year, the increase again in April 2012, the upcoming ministerial conference in Bucharest.

Last year, the ESU enthusiasm so that the Bologna process, the success of the early years of the signatory countries to implement the changes. Governments suffer from reform fatigue; others, in my opinion, will never be the goal of the club is just part of.

ESU is a huge challenge, and Bologna all members of the consultative process, the implementation process will be more push and fight for the implementation of specific measures.

Some Bologna signatory countries to start working on the lines of a boost. Others complete their implementation of a holistic way, and others are looking to help these problems than to implement, so that all students in Europe, finally, a real big European Higher Education Area will be able to enjoy the benefits.

Last year the European Commission's Directorate-General for Education and Culture has been changing in a position I have experienced.

I assume he demanded, and, on the other hand, events in various stakeholder consultations and discussions with other committees, the next version of the agenda for the modernization of higher education will be more student-friendly than its predecessor. And it is not the time!

Renewed attention to issues of access to under-represented groups in higher education investment as a tool for social mobility is needed and, therefore, the flagship program of the European Union's agenda for investment in education, Erasmus periods of study and practice.

Do not hypocritical to realize this would be the next EU budget and European officials as to what the budget without investing, they cannot realize is expected to declare the European youth movement, I can not promise to do 20% of students in Europe to be mobile and study abroad, and not to educate the citizens of Europe is a stronger society.

Moreover, in Europe, I hope to promote student-centered idea to the next level. Last year, ESU and I encourage our definition and checklist that focus on student learning in higher education institutions in our Student-Centre Learning hard, it was presented in October 2010, through the instruments of Leuven.

Although everyone is enthusiastic about the idea, and everyone recognizes that it is crucial to change the mindset of teachers, I have rarely seen entering a truly student-centered government.

And more time to focus on quality education and teachers, teaching methods and teaching would be some way of moving towards more awards for innovation and the EU modernization agenda that I hope governments can push these measures.

It is a challenge, however, to get this idea into practice in a large number of European countries where there are still very formal kinds of education, and teachers, yet ivory tower, totally focused on research-based performance indicators stuck.

Next year will be a turning point for all of these issues, and the ESU and, at the same time, in spite of the various actions and the strong reputation of the professional student representation, I hope to continue to build.

We are living through very challenging times, with crumbling Europe - closing the borders, the threat of Greece in the euro zone - and a growing intolerance in Europe, the populist right-wing parties gained a majority in many countries.

Education is the answer to these problems. Up skilling and re-skilling of the crisis in the way of the European labor force if necessary. Going back to the dark times of the early 20th century history of Europe and the teaching of ethics and expand access as possible to educate the public on the best way to avoid.

Higher education has a key role to play in building tolerance. On the other hand, the mobility, the goal belongs to everyone, and increasing tolerance among citizens of the European values ​​and to promote intercultural understanding is the perfect way.

Access to and quality of higher education to invest in a stronger economy, Europe united and tolerant society and help build the poorest a chance to climb the stairs.

Baby-boomer generation, a chance to make their own mistakes is the right moment for the future of the irresponsible and unethical. Young European citizens are tired of malpractices in the current generation of politicians.

ESU's vocal challenges of the next year, which will be representative of the 11 million students in Europe, and the faster the better part of the EU budget and the implementation of the Bologna holistic, argue for a fairer funding system for higher education and student-centered learning environment accessible It is.

* Bert Vandenkendelaere outgoing chair of the European Students' Union, and a Masters in Law of the Catholic University of Leuven.