World watch

Bonn

Germany is to set up a "Forum for Education" to work out a blueprint for important reforms in schools, higher education and research. It will present its conclusions at the end of 2001. The forum will include representatives from politics, education, business and trade unions.

The aim is to "end the stand-off between the different interest groups" and to get them to work together to modernise Germany's education system, said education minister Edelgard Bulmahn.