Mere mobilitet i Østersøregionen
Videnskabsminister Charlotte Sahl-Madsens tale ved konference om øget forsker og studentermobilitet i Østersøregionen i København 23. november 2010. Talen er på engelsk.
Det talte ord gælder.
If we promote mobility – we promote knowledge
I am delighted that we meet today to talk about increased cooperation and address the issue of mobility for university students and researchers in the Baltic Sea Region.
If we promote mobility for students and researchers, we promote cooperation and knowledge in the region. It is a move towards growth and prosperity. Therefore it is with great pleasure that I – on behalf of the Danish presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers – bid you welcome today.
The fifth freedom
The Baltic Sea Region accounts for one sixth of the economy of the European Union. Eleven nations and more than 60 million inhabitants. It is a sizeable and important region.
Our position of strength is knowledge and our ability to translate knowledge into competitive and innovative products, industries and services. It is vital that talent and knowledge is of a quality that can meet and fend off competition from our global competitors.
It is said that teamwork divides the tasks and multiples the successes. Our teamwork and cooperation is the foundation for growth and prosperity. That is why the presidency has taken up the challenge presented to us in the European Union's Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.
The strategy provides an important framework for generating growth and knowledge in the region. Together with Lithuania and Germany, Denmark has committed itself to promote the fifth freedom. The fifth freedom is the free movement of knowledge.
And it is complementary to the established four freedoms in the European Union: the free movement of people, capital, goods and services. The fifth freedom in this context is the mobility of students and researchers in the Baltic Sea Region.
Mobility in the Baltic Sea Region
Mobility is an essential tool for ensuring the employability of university graduates and researchers. And it is important that we improve student mobility in the Baltic Sea Region. The Nordic and European educational programmes are already supporting this target. But we must look further than financing.
Students must experience study abroad periods as a natural part of their studies. It must not be more complicated to study abroad than to stay at home. I believe universities can structure programmes much better so "study abroad" becomes the rule rather than the exception. And I believe that university employees must use their international research ties as a springboard for developing new student exchange agreements.
It must be absolutely clear to both students and teachers that studying or taking internship abroad is valuable. Whether it is a short, intensive study period or summer-school. Whether the trip is to a distant land or nearer shores.
In Denmark, we see the potential in having more Danish students taking a study period in neighbouring countries in the region. But the pattern has remained unchanged for many years. Every time we send one Danish student to a Baltic country, we receive two or three in return.We can and must do better.
Cooperation between education and industry
There must be a link between education and the labour market. The Region needs graduates who are highly employable. And who take the competencies, knowledge and networks acquired at university straight into their first job. These highly skilled alumni will contribute to the growth and wealth of society and business in the Baltic Sea Region.
Mobility plays a key role in ensuring employability by strengthening the international competencies of young people. It also contributes to knowledge transfer and forming networks.
I can only urge that more students go abroad to study – or to do an internship – for a semester or longer. Universities and employers have a common interest in this and also a common responsibility.
We need to create a dynamic environment across the region that brings education, research and innovation, and business into play. New partnerships can contribute so much to knowledge transfer and improving competencies.
It is important that we realise how we can strengthen public-private partnerships and cooperation between universities and business to further develop the talent base in the Baltic Sea Region. And I know that it is one of the many things you will discuss today.
Wise words from a former foreign minister
We have a common past. We have a common present. Greater mobility and exchange of knowledge and ideas in the region will contribute to a flourishing common future.
I hope this conference will contribute through discussion, exchange of experiences, best practices and development of new ideas and actions for boosting the mobility of students and researchers in the region.
I would like to conclude with a quote from a visionary former Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Uffe Ellemann-Jensen:
"I grew up when The Baltic Sea was a blind alley on the political map of Europe and I feel privileged to live in a time, when we have the possibility to make our common region into what is was in the past: A place in which people and goods and ideas can move freely from coast to coast, to the benefit of us all. This is where our future is!"
Thank you.
