The European higher education area in 2024 : Bologna process implementation report

More than two decades after the launch of the Bologna Process, the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) is now evolving in a context where a series of major crises have arrived in quick succession: the COVID-19 pandemic followed by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, a cost of living crisis, various manifestations of climate emergency and war in Israel and Gaza following the atrocities committed on 7 October 2023. These crises pose challenges to society as a whole, and also have a major impact on higher education. Like other sectors, higher education may suffer social and economic consequences at a time of crisis. At the same time it also contributes - through teaching, research and assisting rational policy development - to finding a path towards a brighter future. The 2020 Rome Communiqué, emphasises this path, outlining a vision for an inclusive, innovative and interconnected EHEA by 2030, able to underpin a sustainable, cohesive and peaceful Europe. This report shows where steps have been taken, and gives some indication of the distance still to travel. The report is divided into six self-contained but inter-related chapters, giving a snapshot of the European Higher Education Area, and assessing how far policy commitments have been implemented.