Event report

Context, purpose, subject and structure/methodology of the event The debate “Mobility and education” is part of a series of meetings, entitled “Ideas on the Future of Europe” which is organised by the European Federalist Youth (GFE) under the patronage of the National Youth Council. The aim of the round of meetings – and therefore also this meeting within the series – is to promote a debate between associations/groups that are aimed solely at young people, on the main topics concerning the future of Europe, largely reflecting the thematic areas of the Conference on the Future of Europe itself. The debate, which builds on the ideas contained in the document “Ideas on the Future of Europe”, approved by the bodies of the GFE, aims, on this occasion as in the following, to involve the associations/guest groups in an informal discussion aimed at an intermediary as direct as possible, through several short rounds of speeches. As far as the technical modalities of the event are concerned, the event was broadcast live on Facebook. Number and type of participants present (general or specific public, with details if possible) The live stream had a good audience feedback, with an average of 10 people who followed the debate during the hour and twenty of duration on live Facebook, in addition to the 9 on Zoom. If available, demographic information on the participants (e.g. age, gender, etc.) The instrument used for the live show did not allow to record information about the type of participants, although the age of the participants suggests that the audience was mostly composed of young people. Main topics discussed during the workshops/seminars/assembles On the subject of the discussion, this covered, in line with the title of the meeting, the main challenges facing the European Union (EU) regarding education and student mobility. Main ideas suggested by participants during the event, speeches and topics shared or debated that led to such ideas As regards the ideas expressed by the speakers: Gianluca Bonato (GFE’s National Treasurer) introduced the debate underlining how mobility and education, two central issues in every society, in their evolution must be supported by a policy response. It is necessary not only to consider what policies should be adopted at the level of education and mobility, but also to the fact that the institutions themselves need to change in order to carry out these policies effectively. Challenges that also await the European Union. Ruben Pratissoli, Head of Foreign Affairs of the University Union (Udu), highlighted during his speeches that student mobility, and in particular the Erasmus project, is one of the most important opportunities that has enabled the exchange between different cultures and that it is therefore necessary to finance it further; the distribution of Erasmus grants should be fairer and better taking into account the socio-economic conditions of students and the cost of living in the host countries; it is important to increase the role of student representation in decision-making both for the Erasmus programme and for example for the European University Initiative. Giovanni Telesca, president of Erasmus Student Network Italia (ESN) began by stressing the importance of the possibility given by the Conference on the Future of Europe to citizens to develop initiatives, ideas and plans for the future. Highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic had a strong impact on student mobility choice and experience; recognition of the role of volunteers of student associations and their formal competences must be relaunched; ESN is particularly committed to monitoring the effective implementation of the inclusiveness, digitalisation and sustainability assumptions in the new Erasmus programme; the importance of international mobility should also be promoted at the level of vocational training. Andrea Giua, National Coordinator for the Spring of Students, began by finding that the systems of the right to study had been completely fragmented, thus stressing the need for a social Europe acting as a link not only in education but also in terms of the services of the right to study; the need for a more connected Europe capable of reaching all territories without leaving out the smallest universities in university alliances; a forward-looking Europe that can fund basic research projects in areas that do not seem urgent; encouraging full-time, new infrastructure, making ordinary disciplines that develop language and digital skills; mobility needs to be made more inclusive not only by increasing economic but also language skills; it would also be effective to promote a European student card to create a European student citizenship. Thus concluded the GFE Treasurer Gianluca Bonato, who recalled that the platform of the Conference on the Future of Europe must be an opportunity for citizens to dialogue with the institutions in order to try to have an impact on how the European institutions must change. He stressed that most of the proposals discussed could not be made without a reform of the Treaties. The general atmosphere and the expected follow-up The participation in the debate was very lively and interactive, leading to convergences on the broad picture. In addition, the key role to be attributed to the Conference on the Future of Europe has been underlined several times during the event by the participants. Written summary Participants agree that there is a need to manage education and mobility policies at European level so that the funds allocated to the right to study can be distributed more equitably by making the principles of inclusiveness and sustainability effective. They also believe that policies for reforming the educational plan should be promoted, increasing digital and language disciplines. Finally, they agree on the active role that student representatives must play in decision-making processes. Proposals that participants have agreed to submit Need for a reform of the Treaties for the effective implementation of the proposed policies on mobility and education. Reform of the educational plan and teacher training towards greater digitalisation and language skills. Greater influence in the governance of the representatives of the various student associations. Greater inclusiveness and sustainability in the distribution of scholarships given to European mobility programmes.