Cyprus has a tradition of internationalisation since its Independence, in 1960. Following Independence, Cyprus maintained close co-operation with international organisations, like UNESCO, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Most of the public non-university level institutions of higher education were established as joint projects between the Cyprus government and these international organisations.
Of much great importance for the island’s education system was the accession of Cyprus to the European Union, in 2004, which brought in focus the European and international dimension in education. Cyprus has not enacted any special legislative regulations regarding the introduction of the European and international dimension in education. However, both before and after accession the European dimension became a major strand of the government’s educational policy with important developments in this area, such as the adoption of the Eurydice project, in 1980; joining the Socrates Programme, in 1997, and its substitute, the Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013; and, the signing of the Bologna Process, in 2001.
By signing the Bologna Process, Cyprus has signaled its support of the main objectives of the initiative, namely the increase in mobility and employability of European higher education graduates.
By signing the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) 2007-2013, Cyprus has secured participation in the Comenius, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci and Grundtvig sub-programmes, as well as other related Actions. The aim of the LLP 2007-2013 is to give learning opportunities from childhood to old age and support projects and activities that foster interchange, cooperation and mobility between education and training systems within the EU. In order to enhance the management of the LLP 2007-2013, Cyprus set up an independent National Agency (Ίδρυμα Διαχείρισης Ευρωπαϊκών Προγραμμάτων Δια Βίου Μάθησης - ΙΔΕΠ) in 2007.
The government also set up the European Office of Cyprus (EOC) in May 2007. Its aim is to inform its members of developments and policies at the level of the European Union, as well as to support them to absorb funds from European grants. The European Office of Cyprus currently has nineteen member organisations and operates with two support centres, one in Nicosia and one in Brussels. On a daily basis, targeted information is promoted to members according to their areas of interest.
The European and international dimension in education has been further enhanced by the adoption of new legislation which permits public universities to offer, under certain preconditions, programmes in a foreign language as well as trans-university programmes of studies in a foreign language, such as the Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses or similar European programmes.
A number of bilateral or multilateral activities undertaken, either at school or the higher education level, involve real or virtual mobility. Real mobility programmes mainly take place at the higher education level.
Education for Sustainable Development and Green Transition in the Mediterranean Region
On 27-28 June 2024, under the coordination of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth (MESY), took place the ministerial meeting of the nine Mediterranean countries that are member states of the European Union.
The aim of the meeting was to strengthen the countries’ cooperation in issues of education for sustainable development (ESD) and address environmental, social, economic and geopolitical challenges of the region. The organization, for the first time, of a MED9 level ministerial meeting on ESD, showed the importance attached to it and highlighted its value as a a valuable tool for cooperation between Mediterranean countries to create more prosperous, equitable and sustainable societies.
The Summit, which was attended by 70 representatives of the nine countries and international/regional organizations, was held in parallel with the high-level meeting of the United Nations committee on education for sustainable development, with the participation of 450 participants from 54 countries. This is a significant success, since through the two meetings, Cyprus strengthened its important role in developing regional cooperation on issues of education, environment and sustainable development.
The outcome of the meeting, resulted in conclusions on ESD and the green transition in the Mediterranean, which was adopted unanimously, with the following key points:
- The need for urgent, coordinated action at all levels of governance and focusing on education to address the environmental and socio-economic challenges of the Mediterranean
- Transforming, by 2026, 50% of each country's schools into sustainable schools
- The need to integrate digital and green skills into vocational education and training programs exchange of best practices through the implementation of the Mediterranean Strategy for ESD
- The creation of a three-year cooperation program for the MED9 countries based on regional programs included in the Mediterranean Action Plan on the education for sustainable development 2030.
European Conference on Educational Research
During the European Conference on educational research, which took place on August 27, 2024 at the University of Cyprus, the Minister of Education, Sport and Youth (MESY), stressed the benefits of participating in academic conferences such as the European conference on educational research.
The conference, which is renowned for its academic excellence and rigor, attracts more than 3000 scholars from around the globe and the minister stated that Cyprus is honored in hosting this highly influential event, through the University of Cyprus.
The theme of the conference this year was "Education in an Age of Uncertainty: Memory and Hope for the Future".
The minister stated that we live in an era marked by rapid transformations and unpredictability and therefore the role of education has never been more critical.
She called upon the necessity to build new partnerships and inspire one another to envision an educational landscape that not only adapts to change but also thrives in it.
World Congress of Cypriots of the Diaspora
The Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, participated at the World Congress of Cypriots of the Diaspora, which took place from July 30 to August 2, in Nicosia.
In the context of the Conference, the Minister presented the vision, objectives and flagship actions of the Ministry.