On 19-20 February 2024, the 88th meeting of the Bologna Follow-Up Group (BFUG), organized under the joint chairmanship of Belgium and the Holy See, was held in Brussels (Belgium). The meeting was opened by senior representatives, including the Minister of Higher Education of the French Community of Belgium, Françoise Berthier, and the co-chairs of the BFUG, Liesbeth Hens and Caroline Hollela. Partner organizations also actively participated in the event, including the Council of Europe, UNESCO, EQAR, EURASHE, EUA, ENQA, ESU.

One of the key issues on the agenda was the consideration of the Roadmap for preparations for the Ministerial Conference and the Global Policy Forum, scheduled for 2024 in Tirana (Albania). The meeting participants agreed on a work plan for the next two years, taking into account the necessary deadlines and documents requiring development.

The working groups also held discussions on the draft agenda for the upcoming ministerial meeting, as well as issues related to fundamental values, the social dimension, learning and teaching.

During the meeting, participants exchanged views on issues such as global policy dialogue, the implementation of the Bologna process in newly joined countries and the development of National Qualifications Frameworks.

Also, international BFUG experts continued their work on documents regulating the implementation of the Bologna process. In particular, changes to the Rules of Procedure of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) for 2022-2024 were discussed.

Continuing the meeting, the participants discussed the issue of creating a permanent secretariat, where comments and suggestions were made for further refinement of this initiative.

The meeting confirmed the global significance of the Bologna Process as a tool for the development of education and improving the quality of higher education in the EHEA. The meeting ended with an exchange of ideas and experiences, creating a fruitful basis for future cooperation and development of education in the region.