Only 14 systems had higher funding in 2016 than in 2008 and 8 of those have a faster growth in student populations compared to the increase in funding. 19 systems still had lower levels of direct public funding than at the time of the financial crisis. The EUA (European University Association) Public Funding Observatory's long-term analysis over 2008-16 indicates that systems such as Austria, Germany and Sweden show sustainable investment patterns, characterised by both significant and sustained funding growth. Other systems feature more limited, slower investment in "more of an austerity context" – these include Denmark, France and the Netherlands. There are a series of systems which have continued disinvesting throughout the period, such as Italy, Spain and Latvia. During a webinar discussing the findings, Thomas Estermann, EUA's director for governance, funding and public policy development, said on Wednesday: "We still have 19 systems with lower funding in 2016 than in 2008, and that shows this is a very challenging situation and it takes a very long time to catch up. We really would like to make a drastic call for change and encourage national funders to step up investment, really invest, but also invest at the European level, particularly in the period where we discuss the next level of European framework funding. Otherwise we will not have a higher education and research area that is competitive at an international level." (Fonte: B. O'Malley, www.universityworldnews.com 14-12-17)