The EESC supports fostering joint programmes among higher education institutions within and beyond European University Alliance projects, ensuring quality assurance and including all relevant stakeholdersin their implementation. It emphasises the need for broad collaboration among stakeholders to effectively implement the initiatives, particularly highlighting the fundamental values of student and staff participation following the Bologna Process. The EESC calls for the involvement of relevant labour market stakeholders in defining study programmes that have particular relevance to the labour market. It emphasises the need for adequate resources to implement these initiatives effectively.
In today's complex geopolitical context, the openness and borderless cooperation in the research and innovation sector may be exploited and turned into vulnerabilities.
Download — Parere del CESE: Proposal for a Council recommendation on enhancing research security
The anti-smuggling package, proposed by the European Commission, comprises three elements: a proposed directive on countering migrant smuggling; reinforcing the role of Europol in combatting smuggling; and intensifying cooperation with partner countries to tackle this issue globally. The EESC adopted a favourable opinion on the package, acknowledging that combating migrant smuggling needs a new impetus and better coordination at all levels. Although the EESC welcomes the directive, it warns that its content could seriously affect the fundamental rights of migrants, and those assisting them on humanitarian grounds.
