DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES - COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION - DELEGATION TO SARAJEVO 22 - 24 February 2011 REPORT SUMMARY The Committee on Culture & Education organised, between the 22nd and 24th February 2011, a very successful visit to Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The delegation was led by Mrs. Doris PACK, Chairperson of the Committee. Within the Parliament, the Committee on Culture and Education is in charge of cooperation with third countries in the areas of culture and education, and responsible for relations with the relevant international organisations and institutions. Among the aims of the delegation were: ▪ To visit the International Festival "Sarajevo Winter", organized in 1984 for the first time, and which since then has become a symbol of freedom of creativity, a place for getting acquainted with diverse cultures and civilizations; ▪To look at the current situation in the field of education in BiH and into ways of supporting and implementing the local education system's reform process. The delegation met with the organizers and participants of the "Sarajevo Winter" International Festival, and with stakeholders in the field of education, as well as the representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sarajevo city at the highest level. PARTICIPANTS Members of the EP Political Group Country Ms Doris Pack, Chair EPP Germany Ms Katarína Neveďalová S&D Slovakia Ms Marietje Schaake ALDE The Netherlands Mr Marco Scurria EPP Italy Ms Joanna Senyszyn S&D Poland Committee Secretariat Ms Inese Kriškāne, administrator Ms Rita Soares, national expert Secretariat from the political groups Ms Johanna Lundberg ALDE MEP's assistant Ms Livia Gregusova (Ms Neveďalová) Ms Tiziana Betto (Mr Scurria) Interpreters EN: IT: BiH: Mr Reuben Imray Ms Barbara Carli-Ganotis Mr Neven Pajdas (HR) Mr Darren Neville (Team leader) Ms Darja Flere (SR) Mr Lorenzo Bevilacqua Ms Sabina Berberovic (BS) Abbreviations: EPP Group of the European People's Party in the European Parliament S&D Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament ALDE Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe GUE/NGL European United Left/Nordic Green Left INTRODUCTION The International Festival Sarajevo “Sarajevo Winter” is a traditional meeting place for artists and citizens from all over the world. In the course of its twenty-six years of existence, the Festival has become an integral part of the city's life. More than 3 252 performances and exhibitions, with over 3 025 000 visitors and 30 010 participants from all parts of the world, took place in the 1161 days of the festival. It is noteworthy that the “Sarajevo Winter” Festival continued to take place even in time of war. It has become a symbol of freedom and of creativity, a place for getting acquainted with diverse cultures and civilizations. The International Peace Center Sarajevo organizes and runs the “Sarajevo Winter” Festival. The Festival has traditionally been held under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, European Union, UNESCO, The Presidency of B&H, The Federation of B&H, The Council of Ministers of B&H, Sarajevo Canton, City of Sarajevo and Starigrad Municipality. SUMMARY OF THE MEETINGS Tuesday, 22 February 2011 14:10 - 15:25 Welcome at Sarajevo airport by the Festival "Sarajevo Winter" team The delegation's programme in Sarajevo started with visits to some of the many events held within the Festival's framework: Opening of the exhibition of sculptures "Warriors" Sandro Chia (Italy) and visit to an exhibition of local contemporary artists at the Collegium Artisticum Gallery. Concert with Izmir’s woodwind Quintet at the Bosniak Institute, with a reception hosted by the Turkish Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The evening was concluded by dinner at a traditional Bosnian restaurant, hosted by the Director of the Festival Mr Ibrahim Spahič. Wednesday, 23 February 2011 08:30 - 09.30 Breakfast meeting with HE Dr Valentin Inzko, EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Boris Iarotchevitch, Acting Head of EU Delegation to BiH and Hungarian Deputy Head of Mission, Lajos Kohari, representing the EU Presidency The next day's meetings began with a briefing by the EU representatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The EU's Special Representative Mr. Inzko explained the current political situation in BiH, where political parties and leaders continue to hold fundamentally differing views as to the future of the country and the way it should be organised. This has led to a serious political stalemate over the last few years: almost five months after a general election, the country is still without a new government. He stressed that BiH leaders must end “power games” and adopt a more “mature and resolute” approach in order to return Bosnia and Herzegovina to the path of European integration. The Chair of the delegation Mrs. Doris Pack agreed that the need for efficient government in BiH has never been greater. Mrs. Pack stressed that re-launching the EU integration process will not only bring the prospect of membership closer, it will deliver sorely needed economic reforms in order to reverse the economic decline of recent years. Mr. Iarochevitch reminded the delegation that BiH is not achieving the progress it needs to make if it intends to submit a credible EU membership application. Bosnia and Herzegovina can expect a committed and reliable partner in the EU, but BiH politicians must immediately undertake the reforms necessary to get the country back on the road to Europe. BiH, in contrast to neighbouring countries, has not made progress recently. It even seems in breach of the Stability and Association Agreement in the field of State Aid, as well as in human rights. A constitutional reform is urgently required to abolish an existing law that stipulates that certain nationalities cannot run for certain state functions. 10.00 - 11:30 Meeting with representatives of education civic stakeholders and the OSCE Mission The delegation then participated in a 90-minute roundtable discussion on two topics: 1) Quality of primary and secondary education in BiH in the context of future EU citizenship; and 2) Impact of the implementation of the Bologna process on student mobility in BiH. Mrs Pack introduced this discussion by recalling that EU programmes are open also for Bosnia and Herzegovina. But major administrative barriers prevent students from taking part in them. One of the biggest issues is the fact that degrees and diplomas from other countries are not recognized in BiH, even those from well-established universities. This has to be changed urgently. 1) In the course of lively discussions a number of problems with the quality of primary and secondary education were identified: - The existence of three different curricula and textbooks based on ethnic criteria for each national group runs counter to post-war reconciliation aspirations. - Too heavy administrative structures with 13 education ministers at the federal level and a lack of political will to change this. - An unclear and ambiguous framework education law. - No unified educational standards. - The system of two schools under one roof being often used as an excuse. - No external testing, even for literacy levels, nor any external study carried out, as to literacy levels. - Quality of education is often poor: it tends to be very theoretical without practical application; lack of holistic view of the world, no debating techniques. 2) Higher education and students' mobility: - Recognition of diplomas is one of the biggest problems- the Centre of Recognition of diplomas does not function. - The quality of the teaching of foreign languages is poor; - Lack of information about available grants and programmes; also a lack of guidance counsellors at schools- no information about opportunities for studying abroad. - No interest in student exchanges from the local universities. MEPs considered ways in which this situation could be improved. Bearing in mind that recognition of foreign degrees and diplomas is a key area of concern, Mrs Schaake wondered whether local employees also do not recognize foreign degrees, or if on the contrary they view them as equally valid. Mrs Neveďalová asked whether students were also becoming involved in matters related to broader society. Mr Scurria was very concerned by the current state of affairs and asked participants to keep the delegation informed as to what the EU side can do to help. Mrs Pack encouraged the students and professors to develop a student exchange initiative first with the neighbouring countries in South-East Europe. That would constitute a first step towards enhancing students' mobility. 11:30 - 12:00 Press conference on education issues The press conference was held in the EU House right after the meeting. More than 30 local media representatives were in attendance, showing a high level of interest in this event. Mrs Pack stressed that everybody has the same rights and called for ending ethnic divisions in the country. She called for harmonising curricula and textbooks, as well as for recognizing degrees and diplomas from other higher education establishments in the world. Mrs Pack considered that the setting up of a National Agency is urgently needed if BiH wants to apply to the Lifelong Learning Programmes. She invited students to take the initiative to that end into their own hands, and to go out on the streets in a peaceful way to call on politicians to take the necessary steps. It was reported on some local newspapers' front pages as a "scandal". 12.00- 12:30 Meeting with the representatives of the Foundation "Education in Action" One more meeting on education took place after the press conference, with the senior officials of the Education in Action Foundation, a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organization. The Foundation's mission is to equip the rising generations in BiH with the knowledge, skills, leadership qualities and international values necessary to bridge over any leftover ethnic divides.