2nd European Conference of regional Ministers of culture and education organised by the AER

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) chose “Globalisation in culture and education – WTO and GATS – the consequences of the liberalisation of public services in the fields of culture and education” as the theme of the 2nd European Conference of regional Ministers of culture and education.

Over 150 participants – Ministers and regional politicians of culture and education as well as experts in these areas – have registered for the conference on 18th October 2002 in Brixen at the invitation of Bruno Hosp, Minister of Culture of the Province of Bozen-Südtirol (I) and President of the AER Culture, Education and Training Committee. Participants will ponder the following essential issues:

– will national quality standards and the decisive significance of the educational system for the cultural identity of nations and regions be preserved when liberalising market access?

– will international agreements on qualifications of foreign service providers impose extraneous constraints on the local cultural and educational system?

– will the simplification of national and regional traditions in qualifications destroy cultural and educational traditions that normally would qualify as simple trade barriers?

The Conference will end with the formulation of a common strategy for the protection of cultural diversity and quality public education in Europe.

Two additional AER meetings will also be held on 17th October in Brixen: – Plenary session of the Culture, Education & Training, Youth, Media et Sport’. – Executive Bureau, in preparation of AER political positions in view of the General Assembly in Naples – I (28th and 29th November 2002).

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