The objective of the Lisbon Strategy is to make the European Union ‘the world’s most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustaining growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion’. This was the goal which emerged from the Lisbon European Council summit of March 2000, and the target date for achieving it was set at 2010.

To achieve this ambitious goal Heads of State agreed that substantial modernisation of Europe’s education and training systems was necessary, to make Europe a world leader in the quality of the education and training it provides. Any transformation necessary in each of the member states will be carried out by the states themselves and taken forward on a European level through cooperation, sharing of experiences and the setting of common goals. This is known as the ‘open method of coordination’.

The goals of the Lisbon Strategy and their implications for higher education are closely linked with the objectives of the Bologna Process, and the drive to create a European Higher Education Area by 2010. Areas where these goals affect higher education systems include: enhancing quality in HE across Europe; removing barriers to student and teacher mobility; promoting lifelong learning and guidance; improving Europe’s research capacity; and encouraging language learning.

In 2006, the European Commission issued a Communication on: ‘Delivering on the modernisation agenda for universities: education, research and innovation’. The Communication identifies nine areas where it feels changes should be made so that Europe’s universities can contribute to the implementation of the Lisbon strategy. Specifically, the relationship between HEIs and the business community is of strategic importance. The UK welcomes the Commission’s recognition of the importance of HEIs in reaching the Lisbon Strategy goals.

In keeping with the schedule of the Lisbon Strategy, education ministers have agreed on three major, shared objectives to be achieved by 2010, benefiting both the European Union and individual citizens themselves. They are:

• To improve the quality and effectiveness of EU education and training systems
• To ensure that these systems are accessible to all
• To open up education and training to the wider world

The European Commission’s ‘Education and Training 2010’ programme attempts to integrate all education and training actions geared towards the Lisbon Strategy currently taking place at European level. It recently warned that accelerated reforms and stronger political commitment will be necessary if the goals established in Lisbon are to be met.