Main outcomes

BPF possible speakers

The IO WG members agreed on a short list of names for possible BPF keynote speakers. The final decision will be taken by Romania, as host country, in consultation with the BFUG Chairs for the second semester of 2012, Denmark and Azerbaijan.
The NCPs will be consulted once more on possible BPF keynote speakers, through e- mails circulated by the BFUG Secretariat.

Information sessions’ format

The members of the IO WG endorsed the structure of the BPF Information sessions. The first session would focus on information on the Bologna Process developments and interregional exchanges, while the second one would focus on encouraging meaningful discussions on EHEA core topics (recognition, QA, etc.).
Proposals for possible speakers of the information sessions will be sent to the BFUG Secretariat via e-mail. The structure of the information/ regional exchange sessions and their purposes will be circulated to the NCPs for feedback.

BFP background paper

The paper should be shortened to ten pages overall, with maximum 1.5-2 pages for each thematic chapter, which will include no more than three questions for the ministers to debate within the Bucharest BPF. Both the EHEA and non-EHEA perspective should be included in a balanced manner in each chapter.
The revised versions of the chapters will be circulated to the BFUG Working Groups dealing with the respective topics so that their feedback is included in the final versions.

List of possible countries and organizations to be invited at the BPF

The IO WG members endorsed the current list of countries and organisations to be invited in the Third BPF with one addition: Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF). The document will be circulated to the BFUG for its January 2012 meeting.

Bucharest Bologna Policy Forum statement – Draft 0

Specific re-wording was suggested in various paragraphs of the document and Draft 1 will be rewritten accordingly.
References to the current economic crisis and the role of higher education in the economic recovery should be inserted in the BPF Statement.
The NCPs will be consulted on the BPF Statement and whether they consider fit for purpose organising the future editions of BPF in connection to the Bologna Ministerial Conferences. Additionally, the NCPs input will determine if the future events can be organised at regional level as well.

IO WG final report

The IO WG members concluded that the Ministers should reinforce the commitments from the 2007 “EHEA in a global setting” strategy, also including the aspect of mobility.
The stakeholders and the NCPs should be involved more in the organisation of future BPFs. A smaller group could act as the BPF Programme Committee.
The IPN activity should be continued only if financial resources are ensured through a specific project.

Future objectives and activities of the International Openness WG

A clear analysis on how the 2007 “EHEA in a global setting” strategy was implemented could be performed in 2015, should the next stocktaking report comprises specific information on this topic.
In order to fulfil its objectives, the IO WG agreed it should continue its activity but under a different structural setting, possibly under the form of a task force, not necessarily a BFUG WG.
Countries’ involvement in preparing the policy issues for the BPF is still needed, but the consultation with the BFUG and the NCPs might be sufficient, thus the need for the existence of the IO WG in the current form is to be discussed further in the BFUG and in the last IO WG meeting in February 2012.

Draft agenda

(1)    Adoption of the Agenda

WG International Openness - Bucharest November 2011 - Draft agenda

(2)    Adoption of the Minutes of the WG meeting on 19 May 2011

WG International Openness - Brussels May 2011 - Draft Minutes - version 09.11.2011

(3)    Updates and decisions taken within the BFUG meeting in Cracow, 13-14 October 2011 in relation to the IO WG work

Summary of the Cracow BFUG meeting discussions related to the IO WG work

(4)    Discussion on the organizational aspects of the Bucharest Bologna Policy Forum

a.    Discussion on the BPF possible speakers and sessions’ format

Overview of the BPF speaker proposals and sessions' format - version 09.11.2011

b.    Discussion on the BFP background paper

Bologna Policy Forum background paper - Draft chapters - version 09.11.2011

c.    Discussion on the list of possible countries and organizations to be invited at the BPF

List of countries and organisations to be invited to the Third BPF - version 09.11.2011

(5) Discussing the Bucharest Bologna Policy Forum statement – Draft 0

Draft Statement of the Third Bologna Policy Forum - version 1.2 on 09.11.2011

Roadmap for consultation on the Third BPF Statement - version 13.11.2011

(6) IO WG final report:
a.    Discussion of other recommendations from the BFUG WGs/ network which have an impact on the IO WG final report

b.    Discussion on the IO WG final report and possible recommendations to be included in the 2012 Bucharest Ministerial Communiqué

c.    Discussion on the future objectives and activities of the International Openness WG

Overview of BFUG WG - impact on the work of the IO WG - version 09.11.2011

WG International Openness - Draft report - version 13.11.2011
WG International Openness - Draft report Annex 1 - version 13.11.2011
WG International Openness - Draft report Annex 2 - version 13.11.2011
WG International Openness - Draft report Annex 3 - version 13.11.2011
WG International Openness - Draft report Annex 4 - version 13.11.2011
WG International Openness - Draft report Annex 5 - version 13.11.2011

(7)    Any other business