Several concurrent trends are increasing the likelihood that short courses, microcredentials, and flexible learning pathways will become a regular and even dominant feature of education and training globally. This policy paper reflects on these trends with special reference to the post-secondary education sector, and explores ways to organize…

It is rare in contemporary times to encounter international education policy reports that inspire hope and excitement for the future, such as we are offered in the 1972 report of the International Commission on the Development of Education set up by UNESCO in 1971 and chaired by Edgar Faure. "Learning to be: The world of education today and…

This article traces the evolution of the French policy PISA debate from 2001 to 2014 by analysing the results of two original qualitative researches. Theoretically, this debate is the outcome of specific policy configurations, which predetermine its scope, content and effectiveness. These configurations are themselves described through their…

Environment and sustainable development show how policies are becoming ever more complex and ambiguous. This trend calls for new evaluation approaches. They need to be more clearly focused on specific, explicit concerns. They must be driven by a strategic concept of use to overcome the vulnerability to manipulation of many integrative, essentially…

Discusses current activities to revitalize French science and industry and this nation's economy. These include increasing the civil research and development budget nearly 20 percent per year, establishing new links between science and industry, and involving scientists in research policy. (JN)

Higher education policy-making in France, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, and whether it fits the national policy styles of those countries, is investigated. Aspects of policy change, centralism, consultation, openness, conflict level, and deliberation are discussed. (Author/MLW)

The French experience of the last few decades provides some lessons for policymakers seeking to meet the needs for facilities at various educational levels. Two conclusions stand out: the lasting nature and impact of educational infrastructure; and (2) policy formation stands to gain from foreseeing as fully and clearly as possible the probable…

An analysis of advisory councils in France's centralized system also proposes a framework for such councils in policy formation in other countries. The analysis looks at the main features of such groups, how they are placed within the system, and what may be learned from the French experience. (MSE)

Provides an overview and comparison of the historical trends in information policy-making and recent proposals for the information infrastructure in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the European Union, and Canada. The role of the private sector, including transnational corporations, is also considered. (MES)

Describes a project to provide developing countries with access to scientific and technological information produced in connection with French bilateral development cooperation programs. Making an inventory of the available material, the users of the information, processing the information, and the development of a documentation policy are…

Discusses immigrants, ethnic minorities, and questions of citizenship in Europe, the role of the city in addressing local citizenship and participation, and the policies and institutions intended to foster participation. Describes the project entitled "Multicultural Policies and Modes of Citizenship in European Cities." (CMK)

This report focuses on the consumer information potential of computerized telecommunication systems, their possible advantages and drawbacks for the consumer, and the new policy issues created by the new medium, i.e., the possible economic, social, and legal implications for consumers. Topics addressed include the main features of the new…

Reviews the implementation program for computer assisted instruction in French secondary schools. The initial time-sharing system is evaluated, and plans for the succeeding phase using microcomputers are described. (BK)

Different types of existing regulations and legislation for correspondence education in France, West Germany, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States are reviewed for the benefit of other countries developing policies. For each country surveyed, four sections are provided in the report: a brief description of the educational system, as…

Summarizes problems resulting from the shortage of academic positions in Europe, Canada, and the United States. Analyzes pertinent factors and presents some proposed governmental programs to solve these problems. (SK)