Experience of diploma recognition under EEC General System Directives in the Netherlands

摘要

The recognition of qualifications in regulated professions has a relatively long history within the EEC and EU. It begins with Sectoral Directives that were underpinned by a general aim to harmonise educational programmes so that automatic recognition could be facilitated. When harmonisation proved too challenging, the General Directives System, which put the professional recognition of migrants' qualifications on a case by case basis without prior harmonisation of education, was introduced. The paper overviews this history, before describing some of the difficulties that have been encountered during implementation of the General Directives in the Netherlands, along with some of the results of that implementation. Finally, some general remarks and observations are offered, with regard to the working of the system and the particular situation in the Netherlands.