6.7 Mediter En Cifras

ose nlsES07:4Dossier13/9/0710:58Página105 ingles Dossier 4 rmwr,uieste i ocnrbt to transnational creating contribute networks. by Mediterranean both the to on of sides countries this aim between In relations consolidating partnerships. universities human and framework, economic, cultural political, Barcelona social, promotes the (1995) region, Declaration countries Euro-Mediterranean for the area common in a creating to view a are With issues educational international exchanges. of form the and relevancegaining in cultural while policies socioeconomic development and human in agent an as up itself set has university the movements, civic Within politics. multilateral in voice influential by an them makes enhanced importance increasingly whose societies, civil between exchanges becoming is internationalrelations of dimension political the ground, losing Without hegemony. US against diversity linguistic and cultural defend to policies cultural as such challenges, agents—citizen new etc—and new movements, NGOs, of emergence the about brings globalisation Rampant form: violent most terrorism. its in identities religious and between ethnic of contacts tension the and to adding while individuals, movements and peoples of pace the up worse, for and subsequent better globalisationthe stepped phenomenon For has Empire. Soviet the of fall the world the century, witnessed profound stemming largely changes from 20th has the of decades last the Since World Globalised a in Cooperation University Rabat University, V-Agdal Mohammed Hispano-Lusos Estudios de Instituto Director Lahrech Aouad Oumama Future Common a of Construction the Towards Cooperation. University Euro-Mediterranean Mediterranean the in Modernisation Social and Society Knowledge The Fnad rm9h1t coe.Udrteagsof Tampere aegis the in Under October. held 9th-11th from (Finland) Conference Rectors' the with 2006 University in boost major inter-university a received context, cooperation Euro-Mediterranean the In Forum/EPUF University Permanent EuroMed the of the Creation to Declaration Tarragona the From Conference. Rectors’ University Tampere cooperation. Euro-Mediterranean of framework the in included be can scope whose excellence of thus poles networks and is on based Rabat), cooperation long-term of favouring the University and V-Agdal (AECI Mohammed headquarters two with Committee, Spanish-Moroccan Inter-University Mixed The involved. the universities research Moroccan and (AECI) Cooperation from Agency 800 International Spanish over the by funded benefited far, been have projects So have the backing. of programme’s researchers, sides and students both young doctoral them on of years many ten Mediterranean, researchers past the 4,000 on over that some projects estimated is It research interest. common joint of and urgent pluridisciplinary deemed issues funding both countries, of communities university the between consolidated relations has Good Committee Inter-University and the Mixed Friendship within of Spanish-Moroccan 1996 the Treaty years Neighbourliness, the in over the of Created of framework 2006. years university in ten its existence relations, commemorated that tool bilateral an important boasts Spain of and Morocco between sphere cooperation the In (1996-2006) Intense Cooperation of Years Ten Committee: University Inter- Mixed Spanish-Moroccan The

105 Med. 2007 Dossier 4 Dossier ingles ES07:4 Dossier 13/9/07 10:58 Página 106

the Finnish EU presidency, the conference was jointly EPUF: A Euro-Mediterranean University Area organised by the Meda Institute of the Polytechnic University of Tampere and the Rovira i Virgili University The EuroMed Permanent University Forum can be of Tarragona. seen as the materialisation of the aim to create a The conference was organised in the framework of the “Euro-Mediterranean Area of Higher Education university network that was created in Alicante in and Research.” Indeed, in terms of a Euro- 2004 and had continuity in Tarragona (2005) and Mediterranean university forum, EPUF intends to Malta (2006). Implemented as part of the Barcelona work towards improving quality in education and research by fostering university exchanges in the The EuroMed Permanent Euro-Mediterranean Area as contained in the action plan approved by the university representatives that University Forum can be seen as attended the Tampere conference: the materialisation of the aim to create a “Euro-Mediterranean • Disseminate and propagate the Forum spirit with Dossier Area of Higher Education and a view to creating a vast inter-university network Research” based on long-term programmes and projects; • Attempt to involve all actors in the region (local Process, the network assists in strengthening cultural government and non-government institutions, and educational exchanges between countries in the associations, foundations) to join forces and

2007 Euro-Mediterranean region. accompany the projects planned; The Tampere meeting has focused on establishing the • Reflect on the issue of raise funding, particularly Med. EuroMed Permanent University Forum (EPUF), to crucial in southern countries, receiving decisive which over 60 universities and university institutions support from the EU and Anna Lindh Foundation from northern and southern Mediterranean countries programmes; have adhered. The EPUF Constitution was signed • Encourage academic mobility (academic staff, during the meeting. researchers and technical and administrative staff) 106 The Tampere Conference constitutes a decisive, paying special attention to young researchers and significant stage in the process that began in doctoral students. Encouraging exchanges Alicante and developed with the Tarragona between southern universities is also reco- Declaration for Dialogue and Cooperation between mmended. In order to achieve this objective, it is Euro-Mediterranean Universities signed in 2005. advisable to improve mobility accompaniment Focusing on "the construction of a Euro-Mediterranean measures, namely: society,” the Tarragona initiative was created with a view to materialising the third approach of the Barcelona • The mutual recognition of titles and diplomas, Declaration: the human and cultural sector (along with which involves promoting the Bologna process politics and security, and economy and finance). for the application of the qualifications reform The Tarragona Declaration aims to enhance university (Degree, Master’s Degree and PhD). Given the institutions’ contribution on both sides of the difficulty of a widespread implementation of the Mediterranean and “foster dialogue between the new system in the short term, mobility may be region’s cultural traditions, disseminate a culture of possible through specific programmes adapted human rights and democratic citizenry and promote to the Euro-Med Area, similar to the Erasmus the sustainable development of scientific and programme; technological exchanges.” The Declaration is • Enable free circulation of researchers from the committed to “creating a Euro-Mediterranean Area of south to the north, establishing more humane Higher Education and Research that contributes to and less arbitrary rules and criteria when it comes the promotion of a knowledge society, encourages to granting visas. collaboration and dialogue among educational institutions, increases the institutions’ efficiency and • Celebrate a general meeting in June 2007 in Rabat ensures quality of teaching and research, education or Alexandria; based on equality and further involves civil society in • Establish working groups focusing on specific the knowledge society.” topics and programmes. 4 Dossier ingles ES07:4 Dossier 13/9/07 10:58 Página 107

Moroccan universities have Each group, led by two members representing a developed new strategies and southern and northern university, has defined an activity programme with the aim of launching it shortly. tools to promote research and Adherence to EPUF is open to all institutions with an better teaching and training interest in joining the Forum. The conclusions and recommendations of the During the Naples meeting and in parallel to the University Rectors' Conference were submitted during constitution of the EPUF groups, Rovira i Virgili the November 2006 meeting in Tampere to the University has presented a new programme of EuroMed Region’s Foreign Affairs Ministers, who also cooperation between universities in the EuroMed approved the establishment and programme of area entitled Erasmus Mundus Window. activities of EPUF. Following the University Rectors' Conference in Tampere, an EPUF executive secretariat of northern Perspectives: Erasmus Mundus Window and southern universities has been established with Programme and the Creation of a Network of headquarters at the Rovira i Virgili University. Its Young Researchers Dossier members plan to meet in March 2007 in Tarragona. During the month of December, EPUF group With a view to exporting the Bologna process, the coordinators held their first meeting at the University Erasmus Mundus Window programme intends to “L’Orientale” of Naples to define the work methodology apply a common policy to universities in the EuroMed

and intervention area of each one. Five working groups member countries, harmonising education systems 2007 have been formed on the following subject areas: and diploma recognition. This encourages mobility Med. between northern and southern universities, its Group 1: Mobility academic staff, students and administrative and Group 2: Harmonisation and quality control technical staff. Group 3: Governability As a result of the Rovira i Virgili University proposal Group 4: Human development and active citizenship made during the Naples meeting, a project has been Group 5: Communication drawn up by the northern university consortium, to 107

ICTDAR

According to the Arab Human Development Report (AHDR) “active - AjalCom: is a regional youth empowerment project aiming at enabling knowledge acquisition and utilisation in the building of human capital are Youth in the Arab world to reach their potential by harnessing ICT and key aspects in the economic growth of the region. Information and improving their access to knowledge. By including women and Communication Technologies (ICT) are vital to build up a knowledge unemployed graduates, this project contributes to reduce poverty and society and sustain human development. It is not only a matter of illiteracy, part of the MDGs, and it has already been implemented in investing in computers and in spreading internet but it entails the Morocco and Egypt. adoption new organizational models and mentality”. - eGovernance: launched in 2004, its aim is to use information and In October 2003, the UNDP’s regional Program established in Cairo the communication technology to raise the quality of services delivered to ICTDAR – Information and Communication Technologies for citizens by governments according to a new culture of efficiency, Development in the Arab Region. The objective of ICTDAR is to assist optimization and transparency and to stimulate government Arab States in harnessing ICT. ICTDAR’s main priorities for progress are: administrative and political reforms. awareness raising, campaigns development and participation, - ICTDARB: the initiative aims at using ICT to help visually impaired employment generation and achieving the Millennium Development individuals; it provides specialized tools made available through Goals (MDGs) in the region mainly carried out through ICTDAR projects community access centres to have access to training, knowledge and implementation in the region. The main pillars of its approach are the services. development of partnership agreements with key members in the private - WRCATI: it is a women empowerment initiative that uses ICT to sector, local governments and NGOs who are believed to be aware of allow women greater understanding and knowledge of their rights. the key issues affecting their surroundings; focus on a small objective, This is achieved through the development of relevant legal involving and assisting local communities and governments to become information in a digital format and by disseminating them through instrumental to implement those initiatives at a national level. CDs, websites, audiotapes. The content, in Arabic and in a “Different initiatives, one objective: opening the gates of opportunity to simplified language, deals with civil, legal and religious issues the Arab people” relating to family law. ICTDAR projects have different targets and different geographical implementation. For further information: www.ictdar.org 4 Dossier ingles ES07:4 Dossier 13/9/07 10:58 Página 108

which southern universities have become associated, Moroccan universities have among them the Mohammed V-Agdal University of developed new strategies and Rabat. The European Union has recently approved the tools to promote research and project, entitled MUNDUSFOR, consisting of a Master’s degree in Education of Professionals in better teaching and training Education that offers students and teachers from Mediterranean Area, given that integration in the non-European universities the chance to take part in region is a priority for Morocco, where political high-level training. The project will be developed in strategies are being developed in all fields—security, three stages from September 2007 to September economic, cultural and human—to achieve admission. 2010. Since 2001, a major educational reform has been Moreover, a number of northern and southern underway following the recommendations of the Mediterranean institutions are organising a Network Bologna Process. Moroccan universities are at a very of Young Researchers around the Mediterranean. advanced stage in the application of the reform, having The network seeks to promote intercultural dialogue organised their degrees and master’s degrees in Dossier and improved mutual knowledge based on the semesters and modules. Now all that is left is to reform construction of a new Mediterranean society. The doctoral studies. first stage has included a preparatory meeting at the By establishing numerous cooperation programmes European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) in with eastern and northern Mediterranean universities, Barcelona with the attendance of organising entities Moroccan universities have a strong presence in the

2007 and associated bodies and the participation of the Euro-Mediterranean university area. In addition to Instituto de Estudios Hispano-Lusos. those mentioned above (Spanish-Moroccan Mixed Med. The first Meeting of Young Researchers around the Inter-University Committee, EPUF, Erasmus Mundi, Mediterranean as field of study will be held in Tarragona etc), it is worth mentioning the following programmes: in May 2007. It will include the following thematic Between 2002 and 2004, nearly 30 projects were areas: globalisation, governability and north-south funded by the European Union in the framework of the exchanges, sociocultural context, intercultural dialogue, TEMPUS MEDA programme. In association with various 108 development, cooperation and economic changes, European and Arab university institutions, the etc. Mohammed V-Agdal University is participating in this European programme with projects devoted to issues such as governability, initial or lifelong training (master’s Innovative Initiatives from Morocco: degrees), institutional evaluation, higher education Instituto de Estudios Hispano-Lusos and quality assessment, etc. Universidad de los Dos Reyes In December 2006, an important meeting was held in Morocco to present and launch the Mediterranean Over the past few decades, education and human Network of National Information Centres for the development have become a national priority in Recognition of Qualifications (MERIC). Morocco, mobilising society as a whole, including Among the Moroccan initiatives that aim to influence government and non-government institutions. To the Mediterranean university area is the recently created mitigate the insufficiencies and ensure access to Instituto de Estudios Hispano-Lusos and the education for all, generalised literacy and training Universidad de los Dos Reyes. programmes have increased. Instituto de Estudios Hispano-Lusos (IEHL) was set An ambitious modernisation programme has been up by Royal Decree at the end of 2005 at the launched for Higher Education, opening the university Mohammed V-Agdal University of Rabat. Intended for to its socioeconomic environment and thus meeting the study and research of civilisations and cultures in the challenges of globalisation. Spain, Portugal and Latin American countries, its task Eager to become fully integrated into the international consists of revaluating the shared historical heritage arena, Moroccan universities have developed new of Morocco and the Spanish-Portuguese world, as strategies and tools to promote research and better well as investigating major pluridisciplinary issues of teaching and training, adapting them to new national common interest linked to the present and future. and international demands. IEHL seeks to become a tool for “cultural and university Special attention has been paid to the Euro- diplomacy”, as well as a national and international 4 Dossier ingles ES07:4 Dossier 13/9/07 10:58 Página 109

Universidad de los Dos Reyes state relies heavily on its cultural representation abroad, (U2R), is a major Spanish- on the human and cultural image it projects. They also entail the opening of university institutions to Moroccan educational their immediate and distant environment, and a project that is both ambitious commitment to active university diplomacy based on and unprecedented solidarity and reciprocity.

education and research centre, thus confirming Morocco's vocation as leader and bridge between the Towards an Active University and Cultural African and Arab worlds, on the one hand, and Diplomacy between Europe and Latin America, on the other. In 2006, IEHL established partnerships with national Indeed, university diplomacy can be seen as an and international institutions, confirming its antidote against cultural conflicts and disagreements. Mediterranean and Atlantic scope, and joined Strong human ties are often formed around university cooperation networks in the Euro-Mediterranean area. exchanges, which help strengthen international Dossier Universidad de los Dos Reyes (U2R), whose communication and understanding. This explains why headquarters will be located in Tetuán, is a major such cooperation is becoming increasingly necessary Spanish-Moroccan educational project that is both to ensure enduring, stable ties between states and ambitious and unprecedented, and may play a pivotal countries.

role in strengthening relations between Spain and 2007 Morocco, as well as other countries in the University diplomacy can be seen Med. Mediterranean region. as an antidote against cultural Indeed, a mixed committee of Moroccan and Spanish conflicts and disagreements experts will be in charge of establishing the university, which will feature multilingual education (basically in By promoting powerful ongoing initiatives and Spanish and Arabic), in close collaboration with programmes that involve co-development, inter- Moroccan and Spanish universities. U2R aims to university cooperation can make a valuable contribution 109 become a space for dialogue and education in the to the betterment of relations between countries in the Euro-Mediterranean Area, offering high-level training Euro-Mediterranean region and to prosperity and that is suffused with human values of solidarity and stability in the area. mutual understanding. The will to construct a common university future that The initiatives are new to the Spanish-Moroccan is based on solidarity and encourages the mobility of university arena and open promising new perspectives young researchers may bring about the emergence for enhancing Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. From of a transnational Euro-Mediterranean collective the viewpoint of Morocco, these initiatives are conscience, a step towards the world citizenship that grounded in the conviction that the recognition of a is so fervently sought.