(Ansamed) - NAPLES, APRIL 26 - The goal of the 2-day event that
was opened today at the Oriental Studies University of Naples,
focusing on the theme ''Lifelong Learning in the Mediterranean
Area'', is to form a highly specialised network of Mediterranean
universities for the continuous training of professionals who
can use their skills in the world of work. Teachers from nearly
all Mediterranean countries have come to the meeting. The event
is organised by the Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) and
the Oriental Studies University leads the training project which
''will develop new skills and will make specialised workers more
mobile,'' explained Luigia Melillo, president of the Centre for
Lifelong Learning at the Orientale University. ''These skills,''
Melillo continued, ''are valuable in a context of
internationalisation." For example, the network will train
business lawyers specialised in different countries in the area,
but also experts in bioethics who can give advice in fields that
are heavily influenced by the different religions in the area.
''We have invited 18 thinkers from the Euromed area to
Naples,'' explained Joseph Mifsud from Malta, president of
EMUNI, ''to discuss concrete issues like transport, civil
protection, energy and SMEs. The results of this Think Tank will
later be presented to the Union for the Mediterranean." Many
challenges are waiting, starting with the energy sector. In this
sector, ''the link between European and Maghreb countries is
very strong,'' specified Jelel Ezzine, general director of the
general department for international cooperation of the Tunisian
government. ''After the Arab Spring,'' he explained, ''we are
redesigning the relations with European partners which will be
even more concrete, as becomes evident from field projects on
renewable energy set up by Italy and Tunisia, for which highly
qualified professionals will be needed in Tunisia as well." The
same s true for the relations between Spain and the Maghreb
countries: ''We are open for discussion,'' confirmed Alejandro
Del Valle, teacher at the University of Cadiz. ''We are
rebuilding the dialogue on a solid foundation and we will
strengthen our ties with Moroccan universities, the University
of Tangiers in particular."
High education against the crisis is also the path indicated
by Maria Amelia Loucao, pro-rector of the University of Lisbon:
''One of the EU goals for 2020 is to have 40% of people
graduate, while the current rate in Portugal is 20-22%. We have
to make young people understand that it is more difficult to
find a job without an advanced degree. We will work on the
educational projects EMIMU can offer, projects that go beyond
the existing courses of single universities." In fact, the
projects focus on high specialisation: management and
enhancement of cultural heritage; development of the production
sector in Tunisia; Bio-law, bioethics and biotechnology;
international legal and economic relations.
The conference is also attended by Marco Esposito,
development councillor of the Municipality of Naples, who
underlined that ''we must invest in an Mediterranean business
network and an education network. Professionalism is crucial in
this context: for example, we have top lawyers here in Naples,
but they don't only have the Regional Administrative Court of
Law to deal with, they must also learn to give advice to
companies that are active internationally." Present in Naples is
also Hussain Sinjari, Iraqi ambassador to Portugal who has
opened a dialogue between European and ''Iraqi universities,''
he explains, ''which are opening their doors to the world after
decades of dictatorship and wars that have isolated us. In Iraq
we no longer invest in weapons but in education and research.
Some universities, like the one in Dohuk in Iraqi Kurdistan, but also the universities of Baghdad and Basra, have made great progress."
Some universities, like the one in Dohuk in Iraqi Kurdistan, but also the universities of Baghdad and Basra, have made great progress."
