Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale94

Having regard to the moral and cultural contribution of Higher Education

of the Catholic Church to the life of society;

Recognizing the common elements and the diversity which exist in the

educational traditions, systems and values of both the Holy See and

the Republic of China;

Convinced that these common elements and diversity of the cultures and

Higher Education Systems, expressed in Higher Education Institutions with

a clear profile and mission, constitute an exceptional resource;

Desirous to enable especially young people to take full advantage of the

cultural resources by facilitating access for students and academics to the

educational resources of each Party, with due regard to domestic regulations;

Willing to promote active international collaboration in an ever more

globalised world of Higher Education and taking advantage of the role of

the Catholic Church as transnational Higher Education Provider on a global

scale, and of the Holy See as member of four continental/regional UNESCO

Conventions on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education; 1

Affirming the need of effective measures and trustful collaboration in

between partners to assure and promote quality in Higher Education;

Conscious of the wide-ranging changes in Higher Education in the world

resulting in considerably increased diversification within and between na-

tional education systems, and of the need to adapt the legal instruments

and practice to reflect these developments;

Conscious of the need to find common solutions to practical challenges

in regard to the recognition of studies, diplomas and degrees in Higher

Education in the world;

Conscious of the need to improve current recognition practice and to

make it more transparent and better adapted to the current situation of

Higher Education in Asia and the world;

Considering that the recognition of studies, certificates, diplomas and

degrees obtained in another Higher Education System represents an impor-

tant measure for promoting academic mobility;

1 Latin America and the Caribbean Region, Mexico City 1975; Africa, Arusha 1981; Asia and the Pacific Region, Bangkok 1983/Tokyo 2011; UNESCO European Region, Lisbon 1997.