Editor's Summary
8 June 2006
Continental drift
Europe, once dominant in higher education and scientific research, is in danger of becoming an also-ran. That's the view of Chris Patten, former European commissioner for external relations and now chancellor of two UK universities. In a Commentary, he explains that he sees little hope for the 'Lisbon strategy', the European Union's aspiration to become the world's most competitive knowledge-based economy by 2010. The market economy cannot supply the necessary investment in knowledge and learning, and without it Europe will lag behind the United States, China and other Asian countries in the competition for global markets, prestige and political influence.
Commentary: Europe pays the price for spending less
Europe's contribution to the global advancement of science and the promotion of learning is in decline. Better funding of universities and research institutions is needed to reverse this trend, argues Christopher Patten.
doi:10.1038/441691a