Bologna Declaration (1999)

Following the joint declaration of the European Ministers of Health in Bologna, in 1999 the 29 signatory countries agreed on a common goal to create a European Area for Higher Education, committed themselves to an action plan with a set of specified objectives and pledged to reform their higher education structures in a convergent way. The deadline for completion is 2010.

The Bologna objectives include the introduction of a new Bachelor/ Master degree structure with a credit system and a system of certification of the quality of the new programmes. The Bachelor degree will require a minimum of 3 years study.

EFAD aims to promote the development of the profession and to develop dietetics on a scientific and professional level in the common interests of the member associations. It was decided that the time had come for the dietetic associations to work together with the higher education institutes towards achieving a common standard for dietetics across Europe.

At the General Meeting of EFAD, held in Roskilde, Denmark in September 2003, delegates adopted the Roskilde resolution 

The Roskilde Resolution, adopted by EFAD members in 2003, called on Dietitians & Educators to:

• Agree a description of the role of a dietitian working in Europe
• Introduce a minimum qualification of a 3 year degree, benchmarked at a defined level, with an Education Credit Transfer System (ECTS)
• Agree a European Dietetic Benchmark Statement, including a practical placement benchmark, for the education of dietitians in Europe
• Set a benchmark for teachers of dietetics
• Agree a common “language” by defining all technical terms used
• Establish national registration of dietitians to protect the title “dietitian”
• Consider the possibility of introducing registration as a European dietitian

Roskilde Resolution (2003)