The Aarhus Declaration underlines importance of EU investment in education, research and innovation

The declaration is the result of the EUA’s (European University Association) annual conference that took place last month at Aarhus University in Denmark, which focused on the role of universities in developing talent in Europe.

Europe’s political leaders are carrying out negotiations on the next EU budget cycle after 2013, the Declaration emphasize the role of universities in promoting talented individuals and in contributing to the EU 2020 strategy for smart sustainable and inclusive growth.

EUA is concerned and states that: Europe cannot afford to run the risk of losing a generation of talented people, or of a serious decrease in research and innovation activity, while its competitors are investing heavily in universities and the innovators of tomorrow, “Europe’s universities collectively add value to European society and the European economy. Looking forward to the discussion on the EU budget post 2013, the considerable achievements of the last decade should not be wasted, ” the declaration says.

The complete strategy of Aarhus Declaration can be dowload here.