3/6/2009
Education, research and innovation crucial for EU
In a letter to the leading candidates for the impending elections to the European Parliament (EP), the members of Neth-ER (Netherlands House of Education and Research) emphasise the importance of Europe in Dutch education, research, and innovation. Their letter was sent with a view to the European elections in June 2009. The Neth-ER members, including SURF, want education, research, and innovation to play a major role in the elections, especially in the light of discussions regarding the future of the Lisbon Strategy after 2010. The Neth-ER members say they would be happy to provide input for future Euro-MPs during the coming session.
In their letter, they point out three specific issues. In the first place, they emphasise the crucial importance of education, research, and innovation to the EU’s competitiveness, social cohesion, and sustainability. Secondly, they say that this makes investment necessary in education, research, and innovation. Finally, the Neth-ER members call on the leading candidates and their future colleagues to join and participate actively in the relevant EP committees: the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), and the Committee on Budgets (BUDG).
Neth-ER brings together eight Dutch organisations, including SURF, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (HBO-raad), and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Their joint aim is to raise the profile of Dutch research, higher education, and vocational education within Europe.