Joint declaration of the CPU, the HRK and the KRASP:
 

Since the Lisbon Declaration in 2000, which established the knowledge triangle "Research – Training
– Innovation" as the foundations of growth and development of a society and a knowledge economy, these objectives have continuously been reaffirmed by successive governments in each European country as well as the European Commission.

Major emerging countries have committed themselves vigorously in this way, investing heavily and consistently for many years in institutions and programmes of higher education and research. This effort has already produced tangible results in terms of research output, raising qualification levels of their population, and increased dynamism of their economies. This just goes to show that nowadays investment into higher education and research are the backbone of societal development and economic prosperity.

Recent systematic and undifferentiated budgetary restrictions as a response to the economic crisis in many countries leads to a decline of research output, innovative capacity and employment opportunities, inevitably followed by social tensions, especially in the younger generations whose future looks bleak.

While national budgets are under discussion and the EU budget has to be adopted for the period 2014-2020, the three Rectors Conferences call upon their national governments and the European Union to attach highest priority to investment in modernisation and development of higher education, research and innovation. Spending devoted to these goals, upon which the future of Europe depends, must live up to the challenges European societies and economies are currently facing. The "Horizon 2020" programme of the EU should pass the threshold of 71 Billion Euro, being discussed now. Furthermore, national budgets should not include investment in the modernisation and development of higher education, research and Innovation into the calculation of the 3 per cent of GDP deficit limit for the annual budget.

Signed by:

• Professor Jean-Loup SALZMANN, President, Conférence des Présidents d'Université (CPU)
• Professor Horst HIPPLER, President, Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK)
• Professor Wieslaw BANYS, President, Konferencja Rektorów Akademickich Szkół Polskich (KRASP)