From 24 to 26 May 2026, the 33rd Annual Joint Meeting of the ENIC-NARIC Networks was held in Athens, Greece, bringing together 144 experts in recognition of qualifications from different countries, representatives of UNESCO, EC and CoE and international organisations to discuss the future of recognition and modern trends in international cooperation in higher education.
The meeting that was hosted by DOTAP, and was opened with a presentation on recent developments in higher education and recognition in Greece, followed by a reception at the Acropolis Museum. Throughout the meeting, the participants focused on challenges and opportunities related to digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and the development of recognition systems in Europe and beyond.
The keynote address delivered by Professor Phil Newton of Swansea University focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on assessment of learning, as well as its negative implications for fraud in the field of education. The keynote speech set the scene for further discussions throughout the meeting on digital recognition ecosystems, challenges related to automatic recognition, and the recognition of qualifications in international contexts.
Participants also shared updates on the recent activities of the Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee, the ENIC Bureau, the NARIC Advisory Board, and ELCORE. Discussions highlighted the importance of exchanging experience on automatic recognition practices, strengthening cooperation among the networks, and improving information exchange in order to ensure fair and transparent recognition procedures.
The meeting featured 12 sessions dedicated to various issues in the field of qualification recognition, including “Artificial Intelligence and Education Fraud: Opportunities and Threats”, “Cooperation for the Implementation of the Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee Bureau Workplan 2025–2028”, “Artificial Intelligence and the Recognition of Qualifications”, and “Automatic Recognition of Qualifications in Europe: Where Do We Stand Today?”, among other topics.
The meeting concluded with a forward-looking discussion on the strategic priorities of the ENIC-NARIC Networks and reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation, mutual trust, and innovation in shaping the future of recognition.
