With the World Conference on Higher Education [1] -- sponsored by the United National Scientific and Cultural Organization -- scheduled to open in Paris at the end of the week, regional pre-conferences are issuing recommendations for the body. Delegates from Arab nations on Friday issued a "Cairo Declaration" [2] on their goals, with an emphasis on ways that higher education can promote peace and development. European delegations met this month as well and issued the "Bucharest Message" [3] calling for an emphasis on access and equity. The U.S. delegation will be led by Jill Biden, [4] wife of Vice President Joe Biden and an adjunct at Northern Virginia Community College.