On June 9, it's time for EU elections! The ballot has arrived and early voting is in full swing. But why should you vote in the EU elections? From a general perspective, all votes are important, and the election fulfills an important function in ensuring democratic principles within the EU. From the perspective of students, it can seem extra difficult, because what can the EU actually do for higher education and research? Despite the fact that most of the education policy is determined at the national level, there is something that happens at the EU level that has an impact on higher education in Sweden. Right now, several parallel initiatives and pilot projects are underway within the European education area, for example the European University Initiative, where several Swedish higher education institutions are part of international alliances. The European Commission has a new Council Recommendation on the issuance of the European Diploma, and a new adopted Council Recommendation with higher goals on student mobility within the Union. The EU is also an important research financier in Sweden.
In media reporting and election compasses, these questions are rarely given space. In order to find out where the Swedish parties' candidates for the European Parliament stand on education issues, SFS has done one election compass. There we ask four questions linked to higher education and research to the parties' top candidates. Emma Svensson and Andreé Lindahl are members of the SFS international expert committee Komit. Here are their reactions to the responses we received.
Academic freedom
Background and question: In both Sweden and Europe, in recent years we have seen an increased debate about academic freedom. Both the European Parliament and the European Student Union, ESU, warn that there is a decline in academic freedom in Europe and the rest of the world. Do you think that academic freedom needs stronger protection at EU level?
It is gratifying that almost all first names in the EU election answer that academic freedom is important and should be strengthened at the EU level, as constitutionally protected academic freedom is something that SFS has wanted to introduce in Sweden for a long time. Protecting academic freedom at the EU level would give the academy an extended protection in a Europe where academic freedom is currently threatened and undermined in many places. Everyone agrees, but now it's up to the proof! We expect the parties to push the issue in the EU, but also to raise ambitions in Sweden by constitutionally protecting academic freedom.
Research funding
Background and question: The EU's current framework program for research and innovation, Horizon Europe, expires in 2027. With that, it is expected that a new framework program will be drawn up and implemented during the coming term, do you think that the EU's research funding should increase?
Most of the candidates think that funding should increase, and argue for it as a priority area in the EU budget. In light of the fact that the EU has pursued a policy of cuts for several years, where the budget items for education and research have sometimes fallen into the trap of cuts when the money has been needed in other areas, it is good that the vast majority of parties are united that research funding should increase. We also hope that party representatives will oppose re-budgeting to fill leaks in other areas, as we see that research and higher education are a necessity that must be prioritized in order for us to tackle the world's future challenges.
Increased international exchange
Background and question: Within the EU's joint initiative for growth and employment, Europe 2020, a goal is included that at least 20 percent of graduates in higher education should have studied abroad. In a new proposal from the Commission to the Council recommendation "Europe on the way", it is proposed to raise the target to 25 percent. Of those who were examined during the academic year 2022/2023 in Sweden, nine percent had studied abroad, according to statistics from UKÄ. The figure is still lower than before the pandemic, when the percentage who studied abroad was 14-15 percent. Do you think that the number of Swedish students who study all or part of their education abroad should increase?
The candidates view increased student mobility within the EU positively, and highlight factors such as increased competence, knowledge exchange, and language skills as benefits of increased intercultural connections. SFS agrees, and wants to emphasize the importance that the possibility of mobility benefits all students. Somewhat surprising is that no candidate directly mentions the EU's flagship initiative in the field, the European University Initiative (EUI), which increases international exchange between higher education institutions by enabling them to receive EU funding to enter into transnational alliances. The initiative involves several Swedish universities. Alice Bah Kuhnke, MP, wants to see increased conditions for the collaborations that Swedish higher education institutions have with other European higher education institutions, which should include the alliances that exist within the framework of EUI. Karin Karlsbo, L also touches on the subject and presents concrete proposals and related initiatives, such as a common European education diploma (examination mark), which was presented in a new education package from the commission earlier this spring, a common admissions platform, and better opportunities to transfer study credits between countries.
CULT
Background and question: The Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) is responsible, among other things, for matters relating to the Union's education policy, including the European Higher Education Area, the promotion of the European Schools system and lifelong learning. Are you interested in sitting on the committee for culture and education (CULT)?
Only two of the surveyed candidates, Heléne Fritzon, S, and Alice Bah Kuhnke, MP, are interested in actively working on educational and research issues by sitting in CULT. Some of the candidates admittedly answer that they would like to see their own party represented in CULT, but that it is uncertain whether priority will be given to taking a seat on the committee. In any case, more candidates should seize the chance to influence higher education and research to be at the forefront of meeting the needs of academia and society.
Now don't miss the chance to make your voice heard, go and vote in the EU elections!