The objective of the Australia-EU Education in Industrialised Economies: Skills, Innovation and Economic Growth forum held in Brussels on 19 November 2012 was to share information and experiences in developing and implementing policies and practices which promote economic growth and prosperity.
Australia’s Ambassador to the EU, Dr Brendan Nelson and the European Commission Deputy Director-General, Education and Culture, Mr Xavier Prats Monné led the forum.
Discussion focussed on the capability of existing education models to cope with current economic and employment challenges. Positive outcomes of the forum include proposed discussions with business and industry on education and training and facilitation for
collaboration on climate change.
The forum received positive feedback for its in-depth discussion on education and training policy and implementation within the context of economic growth and productivity and reflected the strength of the EU-Australia relationship.
The outcomes from the November forum were discussed further in Melbourne at the 2013 EU-Australia Education and Training Policy Dialogue, which took place on 4 March 2013. The theme for the policy dialogue was Rethinking education: challenges and opportunities.
Members of the Australian and European delegations at the Australia-EU forum.
Back row L-R: Mr Robin Shreeve, CEO, Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (AWPA); Dr Wolfgang Mueller, Director, German Federal Employment Agency; Ms Di Weddell, General Manager, International Education Strategy, DIISRTE; Mr Craig Robertson, Division Head, Skills Connect, DIISRTE; Dr Katrien Maes, League of European Research Universities (LERU); Mr Ken Smith, Queensland Agent General, Economic Trade Adviser, London; Professor Steven Schwartz, former Vice-Chancellor, Macquarie University.
Front row L-R: Mr Colin Walters, CEO, Australian Education International, Australian Education International, Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE); Professor Karen Maex, European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Governing Board Member and Education Chair, Vice-Rector Leuven University; Professor Mary Ritter, Imperial College, London and Head EU Climate Knowledge Information Centre; Mr Xavier Prats Monné, Deputy Director-General, Education and Culture, European Commission; Ambassador Brendan Nelson; Professor John Goddard, Newcastle University, UK.