"Considering that higher education should play a vital role in promoting peace, mutual understanding and tolerance, and in creating mutual confidence among peoples and nations;
Considering that the great diversity of education systems in the European region reflects its cultural, social, political, philosophical, religious and economic diversity, an exceptional asset which should be fully respected;
Desiring to enable all people of the region to benefit fully from this rich asset of diversity by facilitating access by the inhabitants of each State and by the students of each Party's educational institutions to the educational resources of the other Parties, more specifically by facilitating their efforts to continue their education or to complete a period of studies in higher education institutions in those other Parties;
Considering that the recognition of studies, certificates, diplomas and degrees obtained in another country of the European region represents an important measure for promoting academic mobility between the Parties;
Attaching great importance to the principle of institutional autonomy, and conscious of the need to uphold and protect this principle;
Convinced that a fair recognition of qualifications is a key element of the right to education and a responsibility of society; […]
Conscious of the need to find common solutions to practical recognition problems in the European region;
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 the European region;"
(Treaty n°165, Lisbon 11.04.1997)
25 years after the drafting of the Lisbon Convention, in compliance with and safeguarding the principles it promotes, the Italian Professional Association of Credential Evaluators (APICE) saw the light in 2022.
APICE networks and supports the community of credential evaluation professionals, promoting excellence and collaboration through training, research and professional development. In accordance with its statutory aims, the main activities through which the Association intends to pursue its objectives are: