DICHIARAZIONE CONGIUNTA DELLE CONFERENZE DEI RETTORI ITALIANA E TEDESCA
(CRUI and HRK) ALLA FINE DELLA RIUNIONE TENUTASI A VILLA VIGONI, MENAGGIO(Como)
28 MAGGIO 1993

1.
The Executive Boards of the Rectors’ Conferences CRUI and HRK confirm their Joint Declaration of 6 October 1990 in order to further intensify the bilateral cooperation between Italian and German higher education institutions. CRUI and HRK welcome the support given by the Italian and the German Heads of the Government on the occasion of their Joint Statement of 18 September 1992 and its subsequent consultations.

2.
CRUI and HRK agree on working groups from both countries which will prepare integrated study courses including reciprocal recognition of academic records, examinations and degrees in economics (including business studies), philologies (in particular German and Italian studies) and computer sciences (informatics etc.).

3.
Due to the differences in the academic training of lawyers in Italy and Germany, both Rectors’ Conferences also agree on working group to examine the establishment of integrated study courses including reciprocal recognition of degrees (diplomas) in law studies.

4.
Both Rectors’ Conferences stress the necessity of intensifying language teaching efforts in the respective foreign languages within the frame of a European dimension as a corner stone for mutual understanding and on behalf of the exchange of students and scientists. Furthermore, thus enhancing the profile of the universities, research projects and courses of study in the humanities concerning both countries should be developped.

5.
Both sides now expect the Governments to sign the governmental agreement on academic equivalences which had been drafted some time ago.

6.
CRUI and HRK call upon both the Governments of their countries and the Commission of the European Communities to improve the conditions for student housing in order to intensify the bi-and multilateral exchange of students. The issue needs urgent attention as the lack of suitable housing facilities at affordable costs for students has become the decisive obstacle for an expansion of international exchange.

7.
Both sides welcome that the Vigoni Programme for the promotion of junior scientists as initiated and agreed upon by CRUI and HRK in 1990 has been implemented successfully. They expect that its funding will be further increased according to its attractiveness to the universities.

8.
In order to promote inter-university cooperation with third partners the two Rectors’ Conferences agree on a continous mutual exchange of information about bi-and multilateral cooperation with higher education institutions in Central and Eastern Europe as well as in the Mediterranean area.

9.
Both Rectors’ Conferences reinforce that basic as well as applied research in universities are decisive for the progress of science, improvement of study curricula, and the training of junior researchers.

10.
With regard to the common cultural heritage of both countries, CRUI and HRK suggest a further intensification of scientific, cultural and political cooperation between Italy and Germany by means of the establishment of an Alcide De Gasperi-/Konrad Adenauer-Programme for the exchange of guest scientists. Both Rectors’ Conferences will undertake efforts to ensure the funding of these visiting chairs by means of third party funds.

Written in German, English and Italian language, each text being equally valid.

Menaggio (Como), 28 May 1993

President of WRKProf. Dr. Hans-Uwe Erichsen   President of CRUIProf. Dr. Gian Tommaso Scarascia Mugnozza