Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Message From Europe
http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2009/05/04/equitable-access-to-pse-in-europe/
I believe, on the heels of Obama's ambitious goals for higher education, that this constitutes a pretty serious challenge to be heeded globally. In essence, the members of the European Higher Education Area have said, "who's got next?" in terms of committing to deeper more meaningful access to higher education for all citizens and the idea that the student population in higher education institutions should be more diverse and reflective of the societies outside their walls.
Let me also just take a second to address a debate that is sure to ensue, because it does every time "Europe" manages to do something constructive on higher ed, this is no way some sort of indictment of our federation. Yes, Europe has (seemingly) successfully integrated many states with often competing, sometimes converging interests to act (or propose to act) on higher education issues. The primary feature of their efforts, however, is the recognition that action requires compromise and cooperation. It also allows individual states the freedom to act independently in their own jurisdiction, both in terms of pace of reform and the form those changes will take. None of this is precluded in our constitution. Let's repeat, the constitution is not an impediment to action on higher education reform in Canada.
If I could write a single speech for the Prime Minister today (and have him believe in what it said) it would contain the following sentences:
"That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete [post-secondary education] and meet a new goal: by 2020, [Canada] willonce again have the highest proportion of [post-secondary education] graduates in the world. The federal government will lead the way on this goal, but we will accomplish it in partnership with all provincial and territorial governments who we know understand the importance of expanding and profoundly deepening access and success for young Canadians."
Now let's go do this thing.
(H/T to Dale Kirby at Macleans)
I believe, on the heels of Obama's ambitious goals for higher education, that this constitutes a pretty serious challenge to be heeded globally. In essence, the members of the European Higher Education Area have said, "who's got next?" in terms of committing to deeper more meaningful access to higher education for all citizens and the idea that the student population in higher education institutions should be more diverse and reflective of the societies outside their walls.
Let me also just take a second to address a debate that is sure to ensue, because it does every time "Europe" manages to do something constructive on higher ed, this is no way some sort of indictment of our federation. Yes, Europe has (seemingly) successfully integrated many states with often competing, sometimes converging interests to act (or propose to act) on higher education issues. The primary feature of their efforts, however, is the recognition that action requires compromise and cooperation. It also allows individual states the freedom to act independently in their own jurisdiction, both in terms of pace of reform and the form those changes will take. None of this is precluded in our constitution. Let's repeat, the constitution is not an impediment to action on higher education reform in Canada.
If I could write a single speech for the Prime Minister today (and have him believe in what it said) it would contain the following sentences:
"That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete [post-secondary education] and meet a new goal: by 2020, [Canada] will
Now let's go do this thing.
(H/T to Dale Kirby at Macleans)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)