Election touchstones for the parties

The German Rectors´ Conference (HRK) questioned the parties currently represented in the German Bundestag (AfD, Bündnis90/Die Grünen, CDU, CSU, Die Linke, FDP, SPD) about their strategies and goals regarding university policy. The answers are translated to English and published here as soon as they have reached the HRK.

The original answers (in German) can be found here.

Question 1: The role of universities as drivers of innovation and cultural development

Universities are at the heart of the knowledge triangle of research, teaching and innovation. Previously, the EU Commission primarily considered universities to be educational institutions. In 2018, this began to change and is reflected in the stronger communication and cooperation between the administrative bodies of the EU (Directorate-General), e.g. in the network competition "European Universities", and the creation of further synergies between teaching/studying and research in the EU Structural Funds. How could universities be better represented in the political and organisational structures of the EU Commission in future?

Answer by Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)

Answer by Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)

The AfD still sees universities as places of teaching and research subject to the educational authority of the member states. We reject the establishment of European universities under the authority of the EU. Involvement of universities in EU bodies is not necessary if educational duties remain in the hands of member states.

Answer by Bündnis90/Die Grünen

Answer by Bündnis90/Die Grünen

Universities are undeniably at the heart of the European academic landscape in which people receive an education and conduct research. Ideally, they are the intellectual hubs of society. Bearing this in mind, universities ought to play a greater role in EU research policy. Networking and exchange are essential to this; the EU Commission needs to make better use of these. For European universities in particular, this programme must be equally supported by the commission members for education and for research.

Answer by Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU) and Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU)

Answer by Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU) and Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU)

The European Commission, particularly the Directorate-General for Education and Culture and the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, already regularly and systematically involve universities and relevant national (such as the HRK) and European umbrella organisations (such as the European University Association or the League of European Research Universities) in their opinion-shaping activities. A specific, current example of this is the process of establishing the first pilot call for the European university networks last year by the Directorate-General for Education and Culture. Furthermore, the concerns of universities and umbrella organisations are proactively and successfully put forward by their respective local representatives or offices in Brussels to the various offices of the European Commission as well as other EU institutions and stakeholders on an ongoing basis.

Answer by DIE LINKE

Answer by DIE LINKE

DIE LINKE considers universities well looked after in the area of education at the European level. Teaching and the advancement of early career researchers are two core functions of universities. In our opinion, expanding the organisational structure of education to include academia would be a welcome step in strengthening research and teaching as a unit at universities.

Answer by Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)

Answer by Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)

We intend to re-model the Bologna Conference as a European university conference. It should agree on a specific set of measures for safeguarding academic freedom in the European Higher Education Area, bringing participation in education to fruition and facilitating more mobility, exchange and comparability.
We value the voice of the German Rectors’ Conference. Its call for a "European education, research and innovation community" serving as a model for the future of Europe in March 2017 was part of the reason why the European Parliament is campaigning for the funding for the Erasmus+ programme to be tripled. This occurred just in time for the start of debates about the programme alignment of the EU's new medium-term financial framework and received particular attention as the call was backed by the French Rectors' Conference (CPU). Such joint initiatives that come at the right time could also positively impact European higher education policy in future.
What's more, the European Parliament also supports the concept of European universities and has incorporated it into Erasmus+. The newly elected European Parliament will need to continue to work on the exact concept. A key issue will be creating a "European Education Area by 2025" in the next parliamentary term. In the course of this, the evolution of the European Higher Education Area, which can now look back on a 30-year history, will certainly be more closely considered. There have been many positive elements but past mistakes must not be repeated. We are expecting the HRK to put forward ideas on how policies for the common Higher Education Area can be wisely interlinked with those for the Education Area.

Question 2: Promoting multi-level cooperation in university policy

Following President Macron's Sorbonne speech and in accordance with the Göteborg European Council, the EU Commission declared its vision of the European Education Area in 2017. Generally speaking, educational policy is a matter for member states. In light of the example of the new competition of university networks "European Universities", how can the multi-level cooperation between the EU, member states and states/regions be strengthened?

Answer by Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)

Answer by Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)

The AfD is calling for educational policy to remain under the authority of the individual states. We welcome the international scientific cooperation of universities, which was also possible before without the intervention of the EU, however, we reject cooperation with the objective of standardising education throughout the EU. We respect the different educational traditions of the member states.

Answer by Bündnis90/Die Grünen

Answer by Bündnis90/Die Grünen

We share the vision of a common European Education Area and support the founding of European Universities. As strategic partners, European university networks can be key instruments of European integration and thus make valuable contributions to the interlinking of member states' existing internationalisation strategies. Together with academic organisations, European and national decision-making levels are already devising concepts to coordinate internationalisation strategies and make them more efficient. We want to promote these strategies. Increased presence and activities abroad of the individual member states can improve exchange and should therefore be consolidated and strengthened. To guarantee the transfer of successful instruments and concepts, we rely on the funding of networked consultative structures at the European level. The European ideal should not fall at bureaucratic hurdles. We intend to continue dismantling existing administrative and legal hurdles in cross-border activities and university cooperation within the EU.

Answer by Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU) and Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU)

Answer by Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU) and Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU)

The CDU and CSU welcome the 2017 initiative of French President Macron and the Heads of State and Government in the EU to develop European university networks. These networks can contribute towards strengthening the European Higher Education Area, the European identity and Europe's competitiveness. If we are successful in taking European university cooperation in teaching, research, innovation and transfer to the next level and embedding this in universities at the institutional level, Europe can advance in important future areas. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGCT) could be enhanced as a tool to support the cross-border cooperation of university alliances. The EGCT was established to facilitate cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation between member states or their regional and local authorities. In the view of the CDU and CSU, a EGCT could be specifically set up to support European university networks. The Erasmus+ programme committee and the ad hoc working group for the European networks convened by the EU Commission should be closely involved.

Answer by DIE LINKE

Answer by DIE LINKE

DIE LINKE sees increasing funding for the exchange of researchers, students and higher education and research management as indispensable for strengthening cooperation between universities in different EU member states. This often creates networks that form the foundation for future cooperation. However, this needs to underpinned by adequate basic funding of universities and broad support for the mobility of university members. For this reason, we do not consider competitive processes to be conducive to facilitating this. In many cases, such as competition for the best minds, this results in less cooperation.

Answer by Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)

Answer by Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)

Two aspects ought to guide decision-making in future: Firstly, we have the promise, made during the 1997 Lisbon Recognition Convention, to simplify mutual recognition of foreign academic achievements and degrees. Secondly, we need to integrate the opportunities created by digitalisation in learning content and teaching methods in the area of education in a more targeted and consistent manner. A European Education Area and the European Higher Education Area will only be able to reach their full potential if freedom of movement is guaranteed for the greatest extent possible for both teachers and students alike. This would be possible if decisions about locations are based on the research, teaching or educational priorities alone and are not hindered by language barriers or administrative obstacles. For us Social Democrats, neither national borders nor prolonged administrative procedures should come in the way of mobility in education, teaching and research or the cooperation of universities. This requires more courage in educational cooperation! With the European Education Area initiatives and the renewed EU agenda for higher education, the EU Commission has put forward ground-breaking proposals which encompass improved language learning, a digital action plan, recognition mechanisms and targeted funding for the innovation capacity of universities. While respecting the responsibility of member states for learning content and shaping the relevant education systems as well as the diversity of their cultures and languages, we must succeed in agreeing on common ambitious and binding educational goals, with a view to ensuring that universities generate the skills in demand in the future at a high level.
In terms of European Universities, we recommend the funding of European university networks that should be structured according to the bottom-up principle with a broad geographical reach, with the result that all regions of Europe benefit. This cooperation will benefit research, teaching and innovation throughout the European Education Area. To this end, a special focus must be placed on the accessibility and inclusiveness of the universities. The revival of the Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programmes makes such networks and better interlinking of teaching and research possible.

Question 3: Share of the EU budget earmarked for research, innovation and education

In 2018, the European Parliament called for a greater budget of €120 billion for the upcoming EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (in constant price terms) and a greater budget of €41 billion (in constant price terms) for the Erasmus+ budget. In light of the pending overhaul of the multi-annual financial framework (MFR), do you see yourself as committed to the goal of securing this funding for research and innovation as well as education and mobility to guarantee Europe's competitiveness?

Answer by Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)

Answer by Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)

To ensure the competitiveness of the EU, companies predominantly require favourable conditions for their activity. Excessive regulation within the EU results in high costs. Given the exit of net contributor Great Britain, funding for the multi-annual financial framework (MFR) must be reduced substantially. Education and research spending should be borne by member states and not be reallocated through the EU. We are calling for budgets to become a national responsibility once more.

Answer by Bündnis 90/Die Grünen

Answer by Bündnis 90/Die Grünen

The environmental, social and digital transformation requires sound financing for the European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. In our view, the areas of climate research, peace and conflict research, artificial intelligence (AI) made in Europe and the European Open Science Cloud in particular, require greater European efforts. We therefore stand by the increase in funding requested by the European Parliament for the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and the Erasmus programme. It is important to us that the money is correctly distributed and directed towards the European common good and the protection of the environment. The tried and tested precautionary approach is a priority for us, since it promotes the development of socio-ecological innovations that are geared towards the needs of citizens and preserving our livelihoods. We see innovation policy as preparation for the future. A future-proof and competitive Europe offering opportunities predominantly thrives on the exchange of member states and their citizens. That's why we are continuing to campaign for the doubling of funds for the Erasmus programme. In doing so, we intend to ensure that there is a stronger focus on under-represented groups such as participants from vocational education/people in employment, from non-academic families and under-represented regions, so that Europe can be experienced irrespective of the financial status of one's parents or one's individual life situation.

Answer by Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU) and Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU)

Answer by Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU) and Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU)

The CDU ad CSU are committed to continuing to take the lead in the fiercely competitive global arena. That is why we are creating the best conditions for research and innovation. In concrete terms, we will ensure that the next steering and framework programme of the EU for research and development Horizon Europe is adequately funded in order to foster innovations – from the concept to the market launch. We intend to develop it further into an innovation budget under the motto "Future made in Europe". To further improve the mobility of pupils, trainees and students as well as of employees in adult education, we will significantly increase funding for the new Erasmus+ programme.

Answer by DIE LINKE

Answer by DIE LINKE

DIE LINKE is calling for an increase in spending on education and academia at all levels of government. The low level of public spending on education in Germany in particular, compared to the rest of the world, leads to marked social inequalities in the education system.
At the same time, Europe – along with the rest of the world – faces the challenge of bringing about radical change in its economic practices. Keeping man-made climate change and the overexploitation of ecosystems at bay requires a huge socio-economic transformation.
More funding needs to be made available for these overarching objectives in European education as well as university and research policy. EU member states with less economic output will not be able to effect such a change without the support of the EU.

Answer by Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)

Answer by Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)

"Education for all – ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all" is the 4th Sustainable Development Goal which the EU, its member states and the Social Democrats feel committed to. Education plays a critical role in the European Pillar of Social Rights that was created in 2017. This significance must be reflected in the future EU budget, which is what the SPD is campaigning for in Europe. Therefore, the required funds must be earmarked in the 2021-2027 multi-annual financial framework in order to enable citizens to experience a European social policy.
The European Parliament has clearly positioned itself to call for programme funds to be tripled in the negotiations with the Erasmus+ Council for the programme years 2021 to 2027. The Commission's suggestion of reaching three times as many young people by doubling the budget harbours the risk of sacrificing quality. The SPD finds this unacceptable. With Erasmus+, a longer-term study experience abroad must guarantee what is normally combined with a physical change of location. Virtual learning can complement the exchange, but it cannot replace it.
The SPD was able to anchor its demands for more to be done to promote the mobility of young Europeans and teachers in the areas of adult and vocational education as well as school mobility including early childhood education in the Parliament's position in the next programme period. These areas are particularly important for improving the participation of people with fewer opportunities to study abroad and have not been adequately considered in the Erasmus+ budget. Funding for student mobility has also been further consolidated.
By tripling the Erasmus+ budget, we are setting the course that we want to take in creating a European Education Area by 2025. In the medium term, the SPD wants Erasmus+ to give all young Europeans the chance to go abroad as part of a learning experience, regardless of their parents' financial circumstances. In future, Erasmus+ will reach far more people, and those young people with fewer opportunities will benefit from the new inclusion strategy.

A well-funded research policy is just as important. As part of the Europe 2020 strategy, the member states of the EU have agreed to invest three percent of the European GNI in research and development by 2020. Most member states - including Germany - have a long way to go. At the same time, we can only fund one in seven good proposals for a research project with the current European research budget. For this reason, we can conceive of even greater budget than that which has been proposed by the Parliament. It is clear that only ambitious research funding will allow us to safeguard the international competitiveness of European companies in the future.

Question 4: Minimum standards for the autonomy of higher education

In view of the debates about the Central European University in Hungary and the treatment of universities in Turkey, should European universities benefit from a minimum level of autonomy in the European Higher Education Area and European Research Area and how would you define this minimum level?

Answer by Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)

Answer by Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)

The AfD defends the freedom of research and teaching. Having said that, the supervision of universities and approval of degree programmes must remain under the authority of member states, as should the definition of basic requirements that a university needs to meet.

Answer by Bündnis90/Die Grünen

Answer by Bündnis90/Die Grünen

We are very concerned to witness how nationalist and populist movements are on the increase in many parts of the world. They are directed against plurality, open-mindedness and tolerance and are stirring up an anti-academic sentiment in Hungary, Turkey and, sadly, in many other countries in Europe and the rest of the world. People who research and teach are being threatened, and universities themselves are coming under increasing pressure. We unequivocally condemn the massive restrictions placed on academic freedoms and the disenfranchisement of teachers, rectors, lecturers and researchers. Within the framework of diplomatic possibilities, we must emphatically advocate for the protection of academic freedom, without hastily cutting back on relations in research and science. It is at this level that contacts can be preserved between societies if distance to ruling powers is also necessary at the intergovernmental level. For this reason, we are committed to making academic freedom an important goal of German foreign and human rights policy. This includes providing German international offices with more staff for university and research policy, supporting research collaborations with countries with poorly defined academic structures in the development of their universities and research institutions and introducing targeted exchange programmes for academics and students.
The freedom of academia and research, which is reflected in university autonomy, is an essential aspect of democratic societies and a prerequisite for academic quality. For us, university autonomy means strengthening universities as independent organisations in their freedom of action and seeing them as experts on their own account, independent of political instrumentalisation. Policy-makers need to develop a framework for action for autonomous universities. Autonomy encompasses policy-makers reaching (target) agreements with universities and providing competitive and financial incentives.

Answer by Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU) and Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU)

Answer by Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU) and Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU)

Europe shares common values that include academic freedom, the responsibility of science and the institutional autonomy of universities, in addition to democracy and the rule of law. However, current political developments in some EU member states compromise these principles of the European Higher Education Area. The CDU and CSU are calling for an independent board of experts to regularly review the rule of law, with particular regard for academic freedom.

Answer by DIE LINKE

Answer by DIE LINKE

DIE LINKE supports the call for a minimum level of autonomy for universities. To this end, we are also campaigning for the democratisation of universities, which will grant the various status groups of universities equal decision-making powers as far as possible. Having said that, this autonomy should not curtail other basic rights, such as the human right to education.

Answer by Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)

Answer by Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)

Autonomy with regards to the alignment of universities of applied sciences and universities in research, teaching and innovation is a product of academic freedom that is worth protecting.
However, it is not a goal in itself. Higher education institutions are increasingly working together on a collaborative basis, so self-governance bodies should design their own mechanism that avoids dual structures in teaching, research and innovation to the greatest extent possible. Arrangements and transparency of university planning are essential for this. Greater coordination of universities in terms of their education and research planning based on the strengths of each institution would be preferable.
Furthermore, certain training content must remain comparable if there is actually a desire to promote the automatic mutual recognition of study periods abroad. The pilot phase for European Universities takes a sensible approach to the conflict area between autonomy and cooperation. While maintaining autonomy, a common model is to be developed that creates the foundation for a common strategy, with its specific activities then being managed, implemented and evaluated on a collaborative basis. We are confident that this incremental cooperation will reveal the strengths and weaknesses of each respective partner, which can then be optimally balanced out and turned into a win-win situation for all those involved.
The limits of autonomy lie where it negatively impacts freedom of movement in education, teaching and research in a common education area. In this sense, an optimum balance can be struck at the independent level.
Ultimately, no single higher education institution should become a plaything of political majorities in a member state. We Social Democrats strongly condemn how the Hungarian government has dealt with the Central European University.

Question 5: Mobility in the European Higher Education Area and fostering a sense of community and cohesion in Europe

The structures for the European Higher Education Area are in place, but they need to be refined. Bearing in mind the financial aspects that could hinder involvement, what can be done to facilitate greater mobility of students and graduates within Europe? How can the EU assist universities in further promoting the sense of community and Union citizenship among the younger generation, particularly in times of an identity crisis in European cooperation and integration processes?

Answer by Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)

Answer by Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)

The programme-related mobility of students within Europe is to be welcomed. Yet, the AfD does not see promoting an EU-wide community spirit among students as the responsibility of universities. The increasing rejection of the EU among the public can only be remedied on the basis of major reform of the EU, not on the basis of the ideologically supported mobility of students.

Answer by Bündnis90/Die Grünen

Answer by Bündnis90/Die Grünen

Many people have already experienced free movement in Europe as apprentices, students, teachers and researchers. They embody the notion of European unity, of added value for everyone, and have the ability to pass it on and re-establish the European community and concept on its basis. In spite of this, the European Higher Education Area is yet to be fully realised almost 20 years after the Bologna Declaration was signed. The inspiring and powerful vision of a European Higher Education Area cooperating on the basis of open communication and Community objectives needs to be implemented more powerfully and actively. In our view, a truly European Higher Education Area facilitates mobility, is geared towards students, open-minded, appealing, high-performing, innovative and social. And not just for students, but also for teachers and researchers. That's why we want to eliminate risks and barriers that hinder the mobility of students and make a social hierarchy of Erasmus support mandatory, with a view to getting first-generation students and people from structurally disadvantaged regions enthusiastic about Europe. The individual member states also have a responsibility and must improve the conditions of study and care by providing sound basic funding to universities. To ensure that no achievement goes unrecognised, we are campaigning for a guarantee of recognition of academic achievements from other European countries and adequate student financing that facilitates periods abroad, regardless of social background.

Answer by Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU) and Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU)

Answer by Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU) and Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU)

Europe has freedom of movement, which guarantees the mobility of students. We are lobbying for young people in Europe to have the opportunity to directly experience the benefits of the European Union. We intend to broaden exchange programmes for this purpose. As part of the DiscoverEU initiative, there are plans to provide every 18-year-old with an Interrail ticket in future. This will enable young people to discover Europe more easily and make friends across national borders. Through the European Solidarity Corps, we are creating opportunities for young people to take part in voluntary and employment projects in their own country or abroad. We will significantly increase funding for the new Erasmus+ programme in order to foster the mobility of pupils, trainees and students.

In a broader sense, Germany has also succeeded in eliminating mobility obstacles in the past. BAföG grants for studying abroad are particularly noteworthy, as are the programmes of the DAAD and the EU. In addition, the CDU and CSU are campaigning for the widespread introduction of a European student ID, which is also likely to promote student mobility.

We also stand for constitutionally guaranteed academic freedom. From the CDU and CSU's perspective, it is not the responsibility of an academic institution to dictate the Community spirit or a certain idea to students, regardless of how well founded it may be. In fact, we consider the ability to think critically on the basis of European values to be a worthwhile goal of higher education. This requires the ability to enter into an open political discussion of the pros and cons of political and social ideas and of the various ways in which they can be structured and executed. This also involves actively mastering several European languages, as well as being familiar with and assessing European institutions and the various political systems of the EU member states.

Answer by DIE LINKE

Answer by DIE LINKE

DIE LINKE believes that financial hurdles in particular need to be overcome in order to strengthen the mobility of students and graduates. It is still predominantly young people from more affluent households who spend time abroad during or after their studies. Funding for studying abroad ought to be developed as a tool of broad support and not mainly as elitist and excellence funding.

Answer by Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)

Answer by Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)

Universities already serve as meeting points for many Europeans. We want to better support universities in their international alignment with funding from the bottom up for cross-border teaching and research.
The previously mentioned tripling of the Erasmus+ budget called for by the Parliament will enable far more young people to experience studying abroad. We Social Democrats will campaign for this funding to be asserted in negotiations with the Council. Complicated application processes prevent many people from taking part in the programme. For this reason, we call for the European Commission to considerably simplify application and administration processes and publish them in all 24 official languages of the EU in order to eliminate barriers.
Young Europeans for whom it would be difficult to take part in mobility measures due to their financial situation will receive financial support in future. The Parliament's position on the new Erasmus+ programme expressly makes provisions for continuing funding from the European Social Fund should circumstances result in a higher funding requirement. We Social Democrats are calling for applications not to be rejected on the basis of costs associated with inclusion measures under any circumstances, and will continue to campaign for education mobility not to depend on the financial situation of parents.

We Social Democrats want a European Education Area to encourage critical thinking and promote the shared, democratic values of the EU, including within the curricula. This includes encouraging political participation and active Union citizenship of students. On the basis of these values and goals, we want to create a European Education Area that offers true inclusion and truly facilitates access to high-quality, general and vocational education as well as life-long learning for everyone.

Erasmus+ promotes societal cohesion and intercultural understanding in Europe on a sustained basis. The success of the programme comes from being confronted with a foreign language and culture, and individual participants have to be open to them if they want to be successful. Even the European Court of Auditors has attributed significant European added value to Erasmus+ and praised the effectiveness of the programme.

We also support the application of the Council's recommendations of 22 May 2018 for the promotion of common values, including education and the European dimension in teaching, without reservation. The European Union is based on common values that should be conveyed and promoted from an early age at all levels and in all forms of general and vocational education from the viewpoint of life-long learning.
Understanding of European concepts and a common heritage as well as the awareness of the social, cultural and historical unity and diversity of the union are as indispensable to teaching as knowledge of how the European Union came about.

Question 6: Cooperation in education and research with other European countries

Research is not just a European venture, it is a global one. How can the EU contribute to ensuring that European research cooperation and the cross-border mobility of students and researchers remain open and flexible, with a view to transforming the EU into a global innovator in science in competition with the USA and China and uphold relations with the British education and research scene?

Answer by Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)

Answer by Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)

Researchers have always made international contacts without requiring assistance from the state. The EU cannot make a contribution to the international cooperation of researchers that the member states cannot make themselves. In Germany, international research and study visits can be funded by the DAAD.

Answer by Bündnis90/Die Grünen

Answer by Bündnis90/Die Grünen

The internationalisation of science and research is founded upon mobility, open-mindedness, diversity and freedom of research. Science thrives on exchange, cooperation and diversity.  The common European Research and Higher Education Area has the potential to be a model for international academic partnerships. The freedom of academics should be a guiding principle. To ensure that the EU becomes a global innovator in science in competition with the USA and China, all member states must commit themselves to deepening European cooperation in education, science and university and research policy, and closely coordinate and collectively develop their national strategies. Given the global competition for academic staff, we focus on exchange rather than head-hunting. This is the only way to ensure a "brain circulation", as opposed to a "brain drain" at the cost of the countries of origin, establishing solid cooperation beyond national borders and helping to create understanding between different peoples. This requires simplification of the recognition of foreign educational qualifications and dismantling of administrative regulations for foreign academics. Various career paths based on tenure track programmes, dual career models and a strategy for improved gender equality, and the participation of marginalised and under-represented groups in the academic sector can contribute to the appeal of Europe as a location for research.
Great Britain's exit from the European Union presents the common European research and scientific area with enormous challenges. After Brexit, we will make every effort to guarantee that viable research cooperation projects, mobility and exchange of researchers and students continue to be safeguarded in line with the European ideal.

Answer by Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU) and Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU)

Answer by Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU) and Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU)

The CDU and CSU are committed to continuing cooperation in the area of research between universities in the EU and in Great Britain after a potential Brexit. Our goal is for Great Britain to remain a part of academia and research in Europe. The exchange and mobility of all people participating in the programme areas of Erasmus after Brexit should therefore be structured in a way that is mutually beneficial. Great Britain's full membership of the Erasmus programme after 2020 should also be considered. Researchers from the 27 EU member countries who remain in Great Britain after Brexit should be supported in the clarification of questions regarding residence and work permits as well as in terms of visa requirements.
What's more, the CDU and CSU support the objectives of the EU Commission for the closer networking of European universities with countries outside of Europe. This includes the promotion of mobility from non-European countries for up to 135,000 students and university employees as well as the implementation of around 350 master's degree courses including scholarships for 25,000 students. Digitalisation is also a useful tool for strengthening the internationalisation of European universities. In the project "Online Pedagogical Resources for European Universities (OpenU)", approved in 2018, 21 European partners in the project consortium are addressing the question of how European university networks can forge ahead with teaching and learning, mobility and cooperation across borders and institutions using a common digital infrastructure. Moreover, a regional transition management system should be set up to provide better support to international students at the local level.

Answer by DIE LINKE

Answer by DIE LINKE

Solving global challenges calls for global responses. In the view of DIE LINKE, European mobility and research funding should therefore be generally structured as an open system. Every other country ought to have the opportunity to enter into partnerships that receive EU funding. Funding should be shared according to their level of development.
EU research funding must be directed at civilian fields, and European research standards, e.g. with regards to ethical principles, animal welfare and data privacy as well as technology assessment, must be observed. The involvement of all groups in society, e.g. in terms of social background and gender, in the exchange of students and researchers must also be maintained.

Answer by Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)

Answer by Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)

It is clear that we Social Democrats will advocate for Great Britain to have a strong relationship with the European Education and Higher Education Area. At the time of answering these questions, further details on this cannot be adequately provided given the uncertainty surrounding how Great Britain will proceed. The areas of education, research and teaching must continue to play an exemplary role for collaborative partnership in future.
On this point, the Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programmes are a key regulatory element of the EU. Partnerships already exist within both programmes that go far beyond the EU member states and the European Higher Education Area. Japan, China and the USA will continue to be partner countries in the Horizon Europe research programme. No one is questioning the cooperation between Europe and Africa within the future Erasmus+ programme. Cooperation in education, research and innovation in other countries of the world outside of the EU have the potential to bring export success and be a means for peaceful understanding at the same time.