Given at the ESU BM 61 / EQUNET second conference, the presentation gives an interpretation of equity policies in Higher Education in Europe and suggestions on how to increase effectiveness of lobbying policies addressing equity issues. www.equnet.info

1. WHY
CARE
ABOUT
EQUITY?
some perspectives from the EQUNET project
Anthony F. Camilleri
ESU/EQUNET conference
Sofia – 08.11.2011

3. access
across
the EHEA is
inequitable

4. We checked....
gender balance
net entry rates
entry via alternative routes
participation based on occupational /
educational background
income gap of students
ratios of foreign students

5. consequences A student from low socioeconomic background
- less likely to attend Higher Education
- likely to choose different courses of
study
- more likely to work during studies
- far less likely to have a mobility
experience

6. “my country...”
ratio of students with working-class fathers vs. general population

7. the student body entering, participating
in and completing higher education at
all levels should
reflect the diversity of
our populations

8. European Policies are not
effictive enough
• 12 different EU instruments • Results speak for themselves
mention equity in Higher • Independent studies confirm
Education lack of effect so far
• Part of the Bologna Process
since 2001

9. “equity is improving...”
80
70
60
50 2125 First stage
secondary
40
30
20 Tertiary
10
0
1970-1980 2000-2010

10. Equity is not only about
financing, but...

11. WE NEED MORE DATA BUT....
WE HAVE MORE THAN
ENOUGH DATA
TO ACT

12. Horrifying
ESU Reaction to the 2011 Modernisation Agenda

13. equity of completion is also
equity of outcomes

16. LAZY
Chinese Premiere on Europeans at Cannes

17. FINACIAL CRISIS
STEMS FROM
INEQUALITY

18. a proposal....
EQUITY should not
be about WELFARE

19. EQUITY IS A PRE-REQUISITE TO ACHIEVE
CRITICAL MASS
FOR A KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY
(which is supposedly the answer to all our problems)
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