EU pledges to create ‘fifth freedom’ of knowledge

As part of the EU’s ongoing quest to make itself more competitive, the bloc’s leaders have suggested creating a “fifth freedom” of knowledge to be added to the four original principles of free movement of persons, capital, services and goods in the European Union.

“Member states and the EU must remove barriers to the free movement of knowledge by creating a ‘fifth freedom’”, the heads of states and governments concluded on Friday (14 March) in a statement following their traditional spring summit.

As part of the initiative, the bloc has pledged to boost cross-border mobility of researchers, students, scientists and university teachers, as well as labour markets and work conditions for European researchers and further reforms in high education.

The EU is already providing funding and possibilities for student exchange programmes but some countries falling behind on investment in education, research and development.

Read full story: EU Observer, 14 March 2008