The 25th anniversary celebrations of the Erasmus Programme were launched at a press conference by the Commissioner responsible for education, culture, multilingualism and youth, Androulla Vassiliou.
She was joined by 66 "Erasmus ambassadors" from the 33 countries participating in the scheme. One student and one staff member have been chosen to represent each country, based on the impact Erasmus has had on their professional and private lives.
During a 1 ½ day launch conference the Erasmus ambassadors discussed the programme's impact and shared their vision for its future while working on an "Erasmus Manifesto", which will be unveiled during the Danish EU Presidency conference on "Celebrating Erasmus 25 years past achievements and future perspectives" in Copenhagen on 9th May 2012. In addition, the Erasmus ambassadors were awarded during a ceremony in Théâtre de Vaudeville for their commitment to the programme by Commissioner Vassiliou and were received by the newly elected President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz.
Please see the pictures, read and listen to the stories of the ambassadors or follow the conference highlights:
Conference programme "Launch of the 25th anniversary of the Erasmus Programme 2012" (Brussels, 30th to 31st January 2012).
Meet the Erasmus ambassadors.
Press conference video.

By Dylan Kwok. Located in the northeastern part of Europe, Finland is situated between Sweden and Russian. As the daughter of the Baltic Sea, it not only shares the same time zone with the Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, but also Greece and Turkey. If we draw a circle with a five-hour flying radius and Helsinki in the center, it will cover the Arctic villages in the north and the Mediterranean towns in the south. This Nordic EU member may seem remote, but flying to Helsinki in facts takes only 8 hours from Beijing. With the national airliner providing direct flights from 11 major cities in Asia to Helsinki, this northern world design capital has becoming more popular among travelers flying between the two continents.
The egalitarian education system of the country has also made Finland a popular destination for international applicants. The number of Asian students who seeks upper education has been increased in the past decades. There are several major reasons that attract foreign students to pursue their graduate degree in Finland, including: the tuition-free master degree programs offered in English, various world-class facilities available on campus and the EuRopean Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students aka ERASMUS. Established in 1987, the ERASMUS program supports students to undergo exchange programs between different European Universities during their studies. “Walk ten thousand miles. Read ten thousand books.” The classic Chinese proverb has definitely inspired many Chinese students including a Hong Kong media artist Chow Yik.
Yik studies Visual Culture in Aalto University’s Pori campus. Famous for its annual jazz festival, Pori is a coastal city on the southwest border of Finland. Studying in a medium-sized city, Yik was able to fully experience the nature in this country of thousand lakes in her first year. From picking mushrooms and berries; to winter swimming in avanto after Finnish sauna, her days in Pori has enriched her perspective in art and media. Being in the smaller town also encouraged her to attend different school organized trips and oversea projects including an Arctic visit to Tromsø (Norway) two workshops in Vilnius (Lithuania) and Istanbul (Turkey). Thanks to the Erasmus program, she is now on a one-year exchange in France at école supérieure des beaux-arts de Nantes Métropole. Not only that she can now travel around central Europe easily, she has even visited Morocco in Africa!
The Pori-based student is planning to finish her thesis in Helsinki after her exchange, so that she can visit the rest of Scandinavia to complete her Grand Tour. This extensive experience has widened her horizons. She has also made more friends from different countries. But I believe the most valuable insight she has acquired, is the new way to look at her own country, and the most unique insight one can gain from studying overseas.
A Hong Kong native, Kwok has been practicing spatial design since his graduation in 2009 from the University of Art and Design. Having lived in various cities in East Asia, North America and the Scandinavia in the past decades, Kwok has experienced different educational settings in ideologically contrasting societies. He is now working on projects related to livability, innovation, and design activism.

The Erasmus University Charter (EUC) provides the general framework for the European co-operation activities a higher education institution (HEI) may carry out within the Erasmus programme. It is a prerequisite for HEI to organise student mobility and teaching and other staff mobility, to carry out Erasmus intensive language courses and intensive programmes, and to apply for multilateral projects, networks, accompanying measures and to organise preparatory visits. Call for proposals EUC 2012.
Specifically, the EUC allows higher education institutions to apply for Erasmus funding to:
• Send its students for studies to HEI abroad
• Receive students for studies from HEI abroad
• Send its students for placements to enterprises and other organisations such as HEI abroad
• Send its teaching staff to HEI abroad
• Receive teaching staff from HEI abroad
• Receive invited teaching staff from enterprises abroad
• Send its staff for training abroad
• Receive staff for training from HEI abroad
• Organise Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILCs)
• Coordinate Erasmus Intensive Programmes (IPs)
• Coordinate Erasmus multilateral projects
• Coordinate Erasmus academic and structural networks
• Coordinate accompanying measures
• Organise preparatory visits
In addition, EUC holders may apply for the ECTS/DS label through a specific call for proposals. See the Executive Agency website for further information.
Awarded by the European Commission following a call for proposals, the Charter sets out the fundamental principles and the minimum requirements with which the higher education institution must comply when implementing its Erasmus activities.
The institution's application for an EUC includes an Erasmus Policy Statement (EPS) setting out the institution's overall Erasmus co-operation plan in coherence with the strategy defined in the mission statement of the institution and specifying the measures and actions the institution intends to introduce in order to fulfil the requirements of the Charter. The EPS should be published and given wide visibility.
Higher education institutions can apply for three different types of charters:
1. The Standard Erasmus University Charter is for institutions which wish to apply for Erasmus funding for transnational student mobility for studies, for transnational mobility activities for teachers and other staff and/or to apply for EILCs, Erasmus IPs, multilateral projects, networks, accompanying measures or preparatory visits.
2. The Extended Erasmus University Charter (Student Placements only) is for institutions which wish to apply only for Erasmus funding for transnational student mobility for placements.
3. The Extended Erasmus University Charter (Standard Charter and Student Placements) is for institutions which wish to apply for activities covered by both the Standard and the Extended University Charter (Student Placements only).
When awarding the EUC, the Commission informs the recipient institution as to whether its Charter refers to study activities or placements or both.
The EUC is awarded for the entire duration of the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP). EUC compliance is monitored on an ongoing basis, and the Charter may in the last resort be withdrawn by the Commission if an institution fails to meet its EUC commitments.
Institutions and national authorities shall notify the European Commission without delay of any change in the situation or status of the institution which might necessitate changes to or withdrawal of the Charter.

"Erasmus for All" new programme launched by the Commission
Erasmus for All is the new EU programme for education, training, youth and sport proposed by the European Commission on 23 November 2011. See http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus-for-all.
Erasmus for All would bring together all the current EU and international schemes for education, training, youth and sport, replacing seven existing programmes with one.
Up to 5 million people would benefit from EU grants for education & training opportunities abroad between 2014 and 2020.
Links
    * Leaflet.
    * Commission's proposal COM (2011) 787.
    * Press release.
See http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus-for-all.
Erasmus for All: 5 million in line for EU funding
Brussels, 23 November 2011 - Up to 5 million people, almost twice as many as now, could get the chance to study or train abroad with a grant from Erasmus for All, the new EU programme for education, training, youth and sport proposed by the European Commission today. Among them would be nearly 3 million higher education and vocational students. Master's degree students would also benefit from a new loan guarantee scheme set up with the European Investment Bank Group. The seven-year Erasmus for All programme, which would have a total budget of €19 billion, is due to start in 2014. See http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus-for-all.
"Investing in education and training is the best investment we can make for Europe's future. Studying abroad boosts people's skills, personal development and adaptability, and makes them more employable. We want to ensure that many more people benefit from EU support for these opportunities. We also need to invest more to improve the quality of education and training at all levels so we are a match for the best in the world and so that we can deliver more jobs and higher growth," said Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
The Commission's Erasmus for All proposal would allow:
    * 2.2 million higher education students to receive grants to spend part of their education and training abroad (compared to 1.5 million under current programmes);
    * This figure includes 135 000 students getting support to study in a non-EU country, as well as non-EU students coming to study in the Union;
    * 735 000 vocational students would be able to spend part of their education and training abroad (compared to 350 000 under the current programme);
    * 1 million teachers, trainers and youth workers would receive funding to teach or train abroad (compared to 600 000 under current programmes);
    * 700 000 young people would go on traineeships in companies abroad (compared to 600 000 under the current programme);
    * 330 000 Master's degree students would benefit from loan guarantees to help finance studies abroad under a brand-new scheme;
    * 540 000 young people would be able to volunteer abroad or participate in youth exchanges (compared to 374 000 under the current programme);
    * 34 000 students would receive grants for a 'joint degree', which involves studying in at least two higher education institutions abroad (this compares to 17 600 supported under the current programme);
    * 115 000 institutions/organisations involved in education, training and/or youth activities or other bodies would get funding to set up more than 20 000 'strategic partnerships' to implement joint initiatives and promote exchange of experience and know-how;
    * 4 000 education institutions and enterprises would form 400 'knowledge alliances' and 'sector skills alliances' to boost employability, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Background
Erasmus for All would bring together all the current EU and international schemes for education, training, youth and sport, replacing seven existing programmes 1 with one. This will increase efficiency, make it easier to apply for grants, as well as reducing duplication and fragmentation.
The Commission is proposing an increase of approximately 70% compared to the current seven-year budget, which would allocate €19 billion to the new programme in 2014-2020. The figure takes account of future estimates for inflation and includes expenditure foreseen for international cooperation.
The new programme will focus on EU added value and systemic impact, with support for three types of action: learning opportunities for individuals, both within the EU and beyond; institutional cooperation between educational institutions, youth organisations, businesses, local and regional authorities and NGOs; and support for reforms in Member States to modernise education and training systems and promote innovation, entrepreneurship and employability.
Two-thirds of the funding would be spent on mobility grants to enhance knowledge and skills.
The streamlined structure of the new programme – together with its significantly increased investment – means the EU will be able to deliver many more opportunities for students, trainees, young people, teachers, youth workers and others to improve their skills, personal development and job prospects. Erasmus for All will also promote research and teaching on European integration, and support grassroots sport.
Since 2007, an average of 400 000 people per year have received EU grants for study, training and volunteering abroad. Under the Commission's proposal, this figure would nearly double to almost 800 000. (In 2010, 560 000 received grants in the 27 Member States.
Next steps
This proposal is now under discussion by the Council (27 Member States) and the European Parliament who will take the final decision on the budgetary framework for 2014-2020.
For more information:
See also MEMO/11/818.
http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus-for-all.
Commissioner Vassiliou's website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/vassiliou.
European Commission: Education and Training website.

Final Validation Conference, Tuesday 8th November 2011, University Foundation, Coimbra Group Office, Rue d'Egmont, 11 Egmontstraat, B- 1000 Brussels.
Final Validation Conference is organised by the University of Padova and the Coimbra Group Office, in close cooperation with the University of Bologna and the University of Deusto, the methodological partner CHE Consult, as well as all the EMQT partners, in the framework of the EMQT project, an LLP Structural Network.
During the Conference, the outcomes and results obtained in this two-year-project and consolidated in the “EMQT Quality Tools’ Box” will be presented to the audience, who will include a Validation Panel of selected Experts in the field of Erasmus Mobility and internationalisation.
On that occasion, the Validation Panel will be asked to express their opinion on the EMQT products, sent to them prior to the meeting. All other attendants will also be able to provide their input and feedback thanks to the interactive sessions which will take place in parallel with the closed meeting of the Validation Panel.
The EMQT Quality Tools’ Box, which comprises a Questionnaire, a General Mapping Report, Guidelines for good practice and a List of useful Indicators, will hopefully support European Higher Education institutions to self assess their overall quality in the students’exchange.
For any additional information or for downloading the registation form, please click below on the relevant link. Should you need any further clarification or should you have any specific request, please send an email to Sara Pittarello (sara.pittarello@unipd.it). We are looking forward to meeting all of you in Brussels! The EMQT Coordinating team, Luigi F. Donà dalle Rose and Sara Pittarello, University of Padova, on behalf of all partners of the EMQT network.  Invitation letter for the Final Validation Conference. Draft agenda for the Final Validation Conference. Registration form for the Final Validation Conference. Information on accommodation for the Final Validation Conference.

By Brendan O'Malley. The Polish presidency of the European Union is planning to expand the Erasmus student and staff exchange programme to non-EU countries on its eastern and southern borders.
Barbara Kudrycka (pictured), the Polish Minister for Higher Education, said on Tuesday: "We would very much like to see a widening of the Erasmus-scheme to non-EU countries, not only our Eastern neighbors but also for example the ones in the southern neighbourhood. In my view, the best diplomats for countries are students and scientists."
She was speaking at the 22nd European Students' Convention in the Polish city of Lazy on Tuesday, a four-day event organised by the European Students Union, the umbrella organisation of 45 national unions of students from 38 European countries.
Kudrycka has previously called for all students from Eastern Partnership countries - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine - to be given the opportunity of studying in EU countries.
Allan Päll, the ESU's chairperson, backed the drive to expand Erasmus. "We think education mobility enriches the life of students, both from an educational and social perspective. Moreover, we firmly believe that mobility supports European integration." But he said that as well as enlargement of the scheme there should be an increase in the size of grants, especially for students who are less well off, as the biggest obstacle to mobility was lack of financial means.
The vast majority of European universities take part in Erasmus. More than 2.2 million students have participated since it started in 1987, as well as 250,000 higher education teachers and other staff since 1997. It has an annual budget of more than EUR450 million (US$648 million), and more than 4,000 higher education institutions in 33 countries participate, with others waiting to join.
An overriding aim of the programme is to help create a 'European Higher Education Area' and foster innovation throughout Europe. In addition to enabling students to study in another country for part of their degree - 'transnational mobility' - Erasmus helps higher education institutions to work together through intensive programmes, networks and multilateral projects.
In July, Kudrycka said one of the priorities of the presidency of the EU, which Poland holds until December, is mobility for PHD students. She said the presidency wanted to not only decrease legal and formal barriers to Eastern Partnership countries and increase in funding for mobility with them, but to include these countries in the Erasmus scheme.
"Today we consider mobility is an essential of the European Communitybecause mobility is an emanation of freedom and therefore the eastern dimension of mobility is becoming even more important," she said. "Students from European Partnership countries should be given the possibility of studying in EU counties on the same terms as students from EU countries."
According to the European Commission, Erasmus has become a driver in the modernisation of higher education institutions and systems in Europe and, in particular, inspired the establishment of the Bologna Process. There are plans to expand the programme to reach three million Erasmus students by 2012, the commission says.
Currently the scheme operates in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK.

Depuis sa création en 1987, le programme d'échange Erasmus a permis à près de 2 millions de jeunes Européens d'aller étudier dans un autre pays européen. Si la tendance actuelle se confirme, l'Union européenne atteindra son objectif d'aider 3 millions d'étudiants entre le lancement du programme et l'année académique 2012/2013. Voir la carte interactive.
Pour l’année 2009-2010, 213 266 étudiants européens ont bénéficié de ce programme. Les destinations les plus populaires auprès des étudiants ont été l'Espagne, la France et le Royaume-Uni. L'Espagne qui apparaît comme le champion Erasmus puisque c'est le pays qui a également envoyé le plus d'étudiants à l'étranger, suivie de la France, de l'Allemagne et de l'Italie.
Parmi les 30 213 étudiants inscrits en France partis en mobilité d'études Erasmus pendant l'année universitaire 2009-2010, 6828 sont partis en Espagne et 6238 étudiants au Royaume Uni, les deux destinations favorites des Français. L'Allemagne, l'Italie et la Suède sont également des destinations très prisées.
La France arrive en second dans le peloton des pays les plus appréciés par les étudiants européens, derrière l'Espagne qui a accueilli 35 389 étudiants l'année dernière. Sur les deux dernières décennies, ce sont les Français qui sont le plus partis (15,24% du nombre total d’étudiants).
Le programme permet d'étudier dans tous les pays de l'Union mais également dans certains pays non membres de l'UE comme la Croatie (les données pour la Croatie ne sont pas encore disponibles), l'Islande, le Lichtenstein, la Norvège et la Turquie. La Suisse est devenue cette année le 33e pays participant à Erasmus. En 2009-2010, 274 étudiants français sont ainsi partis étudier en Turquie.
En moyenne, les étudiants Erasmus se voient allouer une bourse mensuelle de 254 euros, ce qui représente une baisse de 7 % par rapport à l'année précédente. Cette baisse s'explique par une demande de participation au programme Erasmus largement supérieure au nombre de bourses disponibles.
Depuis 2007, Erasmus soutient également les stages en entreprise à l'étranger. En 2009-2010, un sur six étudiants (35 000) ont choisi cette option. Il s'agit d'une augmentation de 17,3 % par rapport à l'année précédente.
L'enseignement supérieur dans l'UE.
La mobilité est l'une des clés de la construction européenne. Voyager, s'installer, mais aussi étudier ou travailler dans un autre Etat membre, toutes ces possibilités désormais ouvertes répondent à l'un des principes fondamentaux de l'Union européenne: la libre-circulation des personnes. Pourtant, si le programme Erasmus qui fêtera ses 25 ans en 2012 a favorisé la mobilité des étudiants, force est de constater que ce phénomène reste marginal (environ 4% des étudiants européens). Comment expliquer la faible mobilité des ressortissants de l'Union européenne, alors même que les frontières ont été abolies entre les 27 Etats membres? Barrière de la langue, de la culture? Oui, certainement. Mais pas seulement.
Si l'Union européenne a créé de nombreux programmes en faveur de la mobilité étudiante, les systèmes d'enseignement supérieur restent disparates. De même, bien que la majorité des Etats membres se soit engagée à appliquer les accords de reconnaissance mutuelle des diplômes, celle-ci est rarement effective. Son absence est un frein à la mobilité des travailleurs. Alors, dans une Union européenne qui compte vingt-sept membres, peut-on imaginer qu'un jour les études supérieurs soient les mêmes partout ? Peut-on envisager un marché du travail européen où chaque diplôme aurait la même valeur ? En signant la Déclaration de Bologne en 1998, c'est ce que se sont engagés à faire 47 pays membres du Conseil de l'Europe. Le but: construire un Espace européen de l'enseignement supérieur.
Le Processus de Bologne dépasse l'Union européenne, mais celle-ci en est le moteur : grâce au système LMD (Licence/ Master/ Doctorat), mais aussi au crédits ECTS mis en place dans le cadre d'Erasmus (système de crédits qui permet aux différentes formations d'être sanctionnées par un diplôme de valeur équivalente), l'UE tente aujourd'hui d'harmoniser son système universitaire. Découvrez à travers ce dossier les origines du Processus de Bologne et les grandes étapes d'un Espace européen de l'enseignement supérieur encore en construction. Harmonisation des systèmes universitaires, gouvernance des universités, reconnaissance des diplômes, vous trouverez dans ces pages les clés indispensables pour se repérer dans ce vaste espace de l'enseignement supérieur en Europe. Le Processus de Bologne. La reconnaissance des diplômes dans l'UE. Vers un classement européen des universités? La gouvernance des universités européenne.

Partir en Erasmus.
Etre Européen ce n'est pas seulement se déplacer comme on le souhaite pour les vacances, c'est aussi pouvoir partir étudier un semestre ou un an dans l'un des 31 pays du programme Erasmus.
Erasmus ? Oui, vous avez bien lu. Ce programme européen en matière d'enseignement supérieur a trouvé son nom en référence à Erasme de Rotterdam, un philosophe et humaniste néerlandais du XVIe siècle. Le programme Erasmus a été créé en 1987, et depuis lors, plus de 2 millions d'étudiants européens en ont déjà profité et, en 2009/2010, 30 213 étudiants français.
"Partir en Erasmus" est devenu une véritable institution ! A partir de la deuxième année post-bac, de plus en plus d'étudiants partent pour une année universitaire, en Espagne, en Allemagne ou encore en Norvège.Introduction. Le programme Erasmus. Informations pratiques. Témoignages et vidéos d'étudiants Erasmus.

L'Europe de l'éducation et de la formation.
Le traité de Rome ne prévoyant pas de compétence commune en matière d'éducation et de formation, c'est avec le Traité de Maastricht que les termes d'éducation, d'étudiants ou de formation professionnelle ont fait leur apparition dans le vocabulaire européen. Cependant, comme le montre le programme ERASMUS créé en 1987, l'Union européenne a commencé à agir dans le domaine de l'éducation avant 1992.
L'Union européenne favorise la coopération entre Etats membres en matière d'enseignement, complète leur action et encourage l'émergence de pratiques innovantes, tout en respectant pleinement la responsabilité des États membres pour le contenu de l'enseignement et l'organisation du système éducatif ainsi que leur diversité culturelle et linguistique. Depuis 2010, l'action communautaire dans le domaine de l'éducation et de la formation est gérée par la commissaire européenne Androulla Vassiliou (Chypre). Ses autres domaines de compétence sont la culture, le multilinguisme et la jeunesse. Objectifs. Fonctionnement. Financement. Exemples d'application. Sites utiles.

Passeport Mobilité des apprentis.
Vous souhaitez bouger en Europe au cours de votre apprentissage ? Ce passeport vous donne toutes les clés pour connaître les démarches à suivre, choisir votre destination, préparer votre départ et profiter entièrement du voyage !

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a cross-border exchange programme which gives new or aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to learn from experienced entrepreneurs running small businesses in other European Union countries. Apply now.
The exchange of experience takes place during a stay with the experienced entrepreneur, which helps the new entrepreneur acquire the skills needed to run a small firm. The host benefits from fresh perspectives on his/her business and gets the opportunities to cooperate with foreign partners or learn about new markets. The stay is partially funded by the European Union. Whether you are a new or highly experienced entrepreneur, the programme can offer strong added value to your business: possible benefits include exchange of knowledge and experience, networking opportunities across Europe, new commercial relations or markets abroad.
The European exchange programme for Entrepreneurs
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs helps provide aspiring European entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to start and/or successfully run a small business in Europe. New entrepreneurs gather and exchange knowledge and business ideas with an experienced entrepreneur, with whom they stay and collaborate for a period of 1 to 6 months. The stay is partly financed by the European Commission. 
Benefits
As a new entrepreneur, you will benefit from on-the-job training in a small or medium-sized enterprise elsewhere in the European Union. This will ease the successful start of your business or strengthen your new enterprise. You can also benefit from access to new markets, international cooperation and potential possibilities for collaboration with business partners abroad.
As a host entrepreneur, you can benefit from fresh ideas from a motivated new entrepreneur on your business. He may have specialised skills or knowledge in an area you do not master, which could also complement yours. Most host entrepreneurs enjoyed the experience so much that they decide to host other new entrepreneurs afterwards.
It is really a win-win collaboration whereby both of you can also discover new European markets or business partners, different ways of doing business.
On the longer-term, you will benefit from wide networking opportunities, and, possibly, decide to continue your collaboration, possibly as long-term business partners (e.g. joint ventures, sub-contracting activities, contractor-supplier relationships, etc).
"Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs" is financed by the European Commission and operates across the European Union with the help of the local contact points, competent in business support (e.g. Chambers of Commerce, start-up centres, incubators etc.). Their activities are coordinated at European level by the Support Office of the Programme. Please read the programme guide for more information on conditions of participation. This guide is also available in German and French.