Mobility and social dimension: fundamentals of the European Higher Education Area and the Bologna process

Abstract

Objective

From the systematic analysis of the content of the documents of the Bologna Declaration (1999) and of the biennial ministerial summits (2001-2015) as well as the revision of European and Spanish university policy documents, it examines the evolution of the Bologna Declaration over two decades, with particular emphasis on the social dimension and mobility.

Methodology

The methodology used has been a comparative analysis of the policies followed in the 2008-2011 period with those followed in 2017.

Conclusions

The analysis shows that twenty years after the Bologna Declaration and the beginning of the process of building the EHEA, it is necessary to continue insisting on overcoming obstacles for effective mobility, especially in the social dimension, understanding that university policies for improving the living conditions of students, among which university housing, require an increase in public spending and a system of scholarships and grants that guarantee equity and equality in access.

Originality

The proposed analysis aims to place access to university housing as an essential element to address the challenges raised by the European Union regarding Higher Education in relation to mobility (recognition of degrees, homologation, cultural and linguistic exchange, ...) and the social dimension (equity, access, equal opportunities, scholarships and grants, ...).