Relating to governmental action in the university sphere

Recommendation 107 (1957)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

(seeDoc.561, draft Recommendation of the Committee on Cultural and Scientific Questions and Explanatory Memorandum by M. Erler). This Recommendation was adopted by the Assembly at its 30 th Sitting, on 8th January, 1957

The Assembly,

Having regard to its Recommendation 41 (1950) relating to European Universities;

Considering the special importance of university education and research for the achievement of the spiritual unity of Europe ;

Noting with satisfaction the work of its Committee on Cultural and Scientific Questions, the purpose of which was to define, in conjunction with competent international university organisations, the rôle of the Council in assisting the European universities to play their part in developing a sense of community among European peoples;

Considering that the "Conclusions" adopted at that Committee's Special Meeting on European universities, held in Paris from 11th to 13th June 1956, may henceforth be regarded as a common programme of work providing a basis for close co operation between university bodies concerned with the carrying out of a number of practical schemes of European interest in their particular sphere ;

Desirous of playing its part in this common task,

Recommends to the Committee of Ministers the following measures :

1 to ensure the early adoption and ratification of the Convention concerning the recognition of periods of study spent in a university of another European country ; and to request Member Governments thereafter to implement as broadly as possible the principles advocated in this Convention ;

2 to extend the teacher exchange system already operating under the cultural programme of the Council of Europe and to increase the publicity given to this activity ;

3 to invite Member Governments to encourage universities in their respective countries :

to introduce special curricula in those fields where the problems and the development of European integration provide a new subject for research and specialised teaching ;

to introduce the expedient of "open chairs", this being one of the best means of facilitating the stay and the work of foreign professors in universities [(1) See Recommendation 108.]

to organise parallel courses by the pairing of universities on the basis of bilateral agreements between themselves, thus promoting the free movement of students from one country to another;

4 to ask Governments to consider the possibility of requiring those entering certain branches of the civil service to have some knowledge of the structure and working of international organisations in general and European organisations in particular;

5 to propose that Member Governments should, where necessary, arrange for the relaxing of legislation precluding the appointment of aliens as full professors in their universities.