The World Conference on Higher Education (Paris, 1998) and the World Conference on Science (Budapest, 1999), together with their respective outcomes, the World Declaration of Higher Education and the Science Agenda. Framework for Action represent two important milestones which defined fundamental principles for the in-depth reform of higher education systems and the advancement of science for society throughout the world. 

In the European region, UNESCO’s Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (BRESCE) together with the European Centre for Higher Education (CEPES), in close partnership with regional and international partners, has endeavoured towards implementing the recommendations of these two important documents. More specifically, in recent years, UNESCO-BRESCE has offered a neutral platform for dialogue and co-operation for policy-makers and academia of the South Eastern Europe. Several events were considered pioneering initiatives in the sub-region, e.g. theinternational Conference and High-Level Round Table ‘Why Invest in Science in South Eastern Europe?’ (Ljubljana, Slovenia, September 2006), theConference of the Academies of Sciences from Eastern and SEE countries: ‘Global Science and National Policies. The Role of Academies (Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, 4-5 May 2007), the Science Policy Forum ‘Science for the Future, Science for Society. The Parliamentary Perspective’ (Romania, June 2007). The conclusions and recommendations adopted on that occasions made a clear case for UNESCO to continue to act as a catalyst and neutral broker in the sub-region with a view of supporting SEE countries in the development and implementation of quality science, higher education and innovation policies. 

Overall Goal Support the adoption of a forward-looking approach of Higher Education, Science and Innovation governance with a view to contribute to the building of knowledge societies in South Eastern Europe. 

Objectives improving governance capabilities in science, higher education and innovation; promoting the role of science, higher education and innovation within national development strategies; fostering regional and international competitiveness and cooperation in the field of Higher Education, Science and Innovation; increasing the visibility of science and higher education at national and regional levels; contributing to the celebration in 2009 of 10 years since the organisation of the World Conference on Science (Budapest, 1999) and the World Conference on Higher Education (Paris, 1998). 

Participants The Forum shall bring together some 100 participants, representatives of the Ministries of education and science, Universities, Parliamentary Committees for science and research, Academies of sciences, Science and Research funding bodies from South Eastern European countries as a priority, as well as of European and international organisations. 

Structure of the Forum The Forum will be composed of four sessions. Each session will consist of a first part, plenary, and a second part divided into several parallel workshops. Each workshop will illustrate the theme introduced in the plenary from different angles. Conclusions of each Session will be submitted as recommendations to the plenary in the Concluding session. 

Organizers UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (BRESCE), Ministry of Education and Science of Montenegro 

With The Financial Support of Italian Government, Swiss State Secretariat for Education and Research, Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)- SAREC 

Responsible officer for this event Iulia Nechifor, Programme Specialist, Science Policy & Capacity Building, email : i.nechifor(at)unesco.org 

RELATED : World Conference on Higher Education (Paris, 1998) World Conference on Science (Budapest, 1999) Conference and High-Level Round Table ‘Why Invest in Science in South Eastern Europe?’ (Ljubljana, Slovenia, September 2006) Conference of the Academies of Sciences from Eastern and SEE countries: ‘Global Science and National Policies. The Role of Academies (Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, 4-5 May 2007) Science Policy Forum ‘Science for the Future, Science for Society. The Parliamentary Perspective’ (Romania, June 2007)