Preface

This publication represents our joint policy paper to Parliament. The policy paper contains our proposal for a coherent plan for enhanced internationalisation of Danish education and training.

Intensified global competition is a reality that demands a proactive response. Denmark has a strong base to start from. Knowledge is one of the most important factors in global competition, and education is the key to progress and welfare for both the individual and society.

It is therefore important to accept the challenge at every level and across the board within the scope of the education system. This will increase both our production of knowledge and our ability to attract knowledge. One of the prerequisites for this to happen is that schools and educational institutions must have opportunities to develop on an international basis, i.e. partly to develop teaching and education of international standards, and partly to develop as players in international cooperation and on the international education market.

The attitude and role of the Government are clear. We must first and foremost set targets and create a good framework for internationalisation work, while the players in the education system must meet the targets and utilise the framework. The decentralised Danish education system is a strength in this respect, but we have to agree on the strategy for achieving the set targets.

We hope that the policy paper will help to bring focus and perspective to the debate, enabling us to develop and enhance our shared visions, our intentions, our ability to innovate and our utilisation of existing resources. Therefore, our concern is to strengthen and target a process that is already under way. April 2004

Ulla Tørnæs, Danish Minister of Education

Helge Sander, Danish Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation

This page is included in the publication "Enhanced Internationalisation of Danish Education and Training" as Preface
© The Ministry of Education 2004