The fifth European Union – Australia Education and Training Policy Dialogue was held in Melbourne on 4 March 2013. The 2013 Dialogue, co-chaired by Mr Colin Walters, head of the Australian delegation representing the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education and Mr Xavier Prats Monné, Deputy Director General Education and Culture of  the European Commission, continued discussions from the March 2012 EU-Australia Education and Training Policy Dialogue and the Productivity Forum on Education in Industrialised Economies: Skills, Innovation and Economic Growth held in November 2012.

 

The discussions at the dialogue provided a platform for the parties to discuss common challenges faced in the uncertain global economic market, with the societal consequences of unemployment and skills shortages as well as the global challenges of climate change, food security, sustainable environments and ageing populations. 

 

Outcomes from the dialogue, as outlined in the joint statement, are based on the understanding that collaboration, education, and reinforcing the knowledge triangle, hold the keys to achieving our potential and delivering prosperity for all. The parties agreed to focus on three areas for further exploration and cooperation, including reaffirming the commitment to the International Education Co-operation Programme, ICI-ECP, (Encounter Program) through the ninth call currently underway and the tenth call to be announced by the end of 2013.

 

Delegates at the fifth European Union – Australia Education and Training Policy Dialogue.