Global Convention on HE: Work programme agreed at UNESCO Paris meeting
UK ENIC was part of a four-strong UK delegation, as a work programme to implement the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education (GRC) was agreed in Paris.
A year after the GRC entered into force, the first extraordinary session of the Intergovernmental Conference of the States Parties to the Convention took place at the UNESCO headquarters on 7 March. Delegates unanimously agreed a work programme focusing on:
- Further developing the draft operational guidelines to facilitate the GRC’s implementation
- Developing a draft recommendation on the relationship between the GRC and the other regional conventions
- Research and capacity building activities, and
- Advocacy and communication to promote understanding and awareness of the GRC.
The UK delegation in Paris comprised: Anne Anderson, Chair of the UK National Commission for UNESCO; Maxim Polya-Vitry, UK Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, British Embassy Paris; Pamela Wilkinson, International Education, Department for Education; and Chris Lyons, UK ENIC Head of External Engagement.
‘Through international agreement and collaboration, the Convention will make it easier for people to use their qualifications to work, live or study around the world,’ said Chris Lyons. ‘The adoption of the work programme at the Paris meeting represents a significant step towards removing barriers to mobility.
‘There was a very strong sense among our UK delegation of a positive and productive team effort, with UK ENIC providing support, technical expertise and recognition insights on the work programme where it was needed.
‘Looking ahead, UK delegates were particularly keen to be a part of a proposed open working group that will focus on the draft operational guidelines. It will help shape the GRC’s implementation, with UK ENIC expertise playing a key role as discussions progress more to technical matters around the GRC and recognition in practice,’ Chris Lyons added.
The Global Convention establishes universal principles for fair, transparent and non-discriminatory recognition of higher education qualifications, and qualifications giving access to higher education and offering avenues for further study and employment. With provisions on non-traditional learning modes, the Global Convention also facilitates the recognition of qualifications, prior learning and transnational education. In addition, it promotes the recognition of refugees’ qualifications, even in cases where documentary evidence is lacking. These are all areas in which UK ENIC has been proactive for some time, creating and providing relevant services and quickly responding to developments as they occur.
By ratifying the Global Convention, countries commit to strengthening international cooperation in higher education, raising its quality at home and worldwide, and helping make academic mobility and the recognition of qualifications a reality for millions around the world. The Global Convention entered into force in March 2023 and, as of March 2024, 28 States have ratified it.
Attendees at the Paris event included:
- Stig Arne Skjerven, Special Envoy / Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and President of the Bureau of the Global Recognition Convention
- Borhene Chakroun, Director, Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems, UNESCO Education Sector and Interim Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning
- Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of UNESCO General Conference
- Ms Stefania Giannini , Assistant Secretary General for Education
In addition, many representatives from across the ENIC-NARIC centres were in attendance, either within the States Parties or as observers.