Motion for a resolution | Doc. 13893 | 30 September 2015

How to encourage the migration of international students across Europe

Signatories: Alexander [The Earl of] DUNDEE, United Kingdom, EC ; Lord Donald ANDERSON, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Brian BINLEY, United Kingdom, EC ; Mr Irakli CHIKOVANI, Georgia, ALDE ; Mr James CLAPPISON, United Kingdom, EC ; Mr Jeffrey DONALDSON, United Kingdom, EC ; Ms Daphné DUMERY, Belgium, NR ; Mr Bernard FOURNIER, France, EPP/CD ; Sir Roger GALE, United Kingdom, EC ; Ms Anette HÜBINGER, Germany, EPP/CD ; Ms Liana KANELLI, Greece, UEL ; Mr Terry LEYDEN, Ireland, ALDE ; Sir Alan MEALE, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Olivia MITCHELL, Ireland, EPP/CD ; Mr Killion MUNYAMA, Poland, EPP/CD ; Mr Robert NEILL, United Kingdom, EC ; Ms Julia OBERMEIER, Germany, EPP/CD ; Mr John PRESCOTT, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Barbara ROSENKRANZ, Austria, NR ; Mr Jim SHERIDAN, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Robert WALTER, United Kingdom, EC

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

According to statistics, the number of foreign students and graduates in Council of Europe member States has been systematically declining over recent years.

Regrettably, the way statistics are collected and presented in the majority of countries does not allow for the distinguishing of students and graduates from other categories of migrants. Furthermore, the present discussions on the refugee crisis result in a tendency to overlook this question which has serious consequences for some universities and economies.

Indeed, this decrease in numbers has many consequences. Firstly, there is a growing shortage of graduates in certain subjects and many employers have difficulties in the recruitment of certain specialists. Secondly, in some countries, for example the United Kingdom, universities and employers are anxious to recruit international students and graduates.

Therefore, the Parliamentary Assembly should encourage public authorities internationally to promote student and graduate movement. Migration statistics should thus also distinguish this component in its own right.