The European Council is advocating for expanded study and work abroad opportunities both within and beyond the European Union to enhance Europe’s competitiveness in the global shift towards green and digital transformations.
In a recent recommendation titled “Europe on the Move“ the Council outlined ambitious targets to increase the number of EU citizens engaging in study, training, or informal learning outside their home countries. The focus is particularly on individuals who have fewer opportunities to travel abroad, promoting a more inclusive approach to international education.
“Mobility has long been a core element of the EU project. Learning abroad offers valuable skills and fosters a deeper understanding of the EU’s shared values,” said Caroline Désir, Minister of Education for the French Community of Belgium, during a Council meeting on May 13.
Désir emphasized that the new recommendation aims to broaden opportunities for all EU citizens to benefit from the unique advantages of studying, training, or learning in a foreign country.
Despite these benefits, a 2022 survey of Europeans aged 15-30 revealed that only 15% had participated in study or training programs in another EU country. In response, the Council has set new goals: by 2030, 23% of higher education graduates and 12% of vocational education and training students should have experienced learning mobility.
The Council’s recommendation also seeks to enhance learning mobility for educators and staff who face barriers to accessing training opportunities abroad.
The European Commission highlighted the ongoing challenge of insufficient foreign language skills, which remains a significant barrier to studying and working abroad, as well as to fully experiencing Europe’s rich cultural diversity.
The recommendation noted the advantages of increased learning mobility, including addressing skills gaps crucial to the green and digital transitions and fostering a strong sense of European citizenship and shared values across the continent.
At a conference in April 2024, European universities were warned that Europe is currently lagging behind global competitors in producing patents, startups, and unicorns that drive the digital economy. To remain competitive, the Council emphasized that at least 20% of those benefiting from learning mobility by 2027 should come from groups with fewer mobility opportunities, promoting inclusivity in international education and training.
To help member states meet these goals, suggested measures include enhancing foreign language education at all levels, raising awareness of mobility opportunities, and improving the recognition of the benefits of studying or training abroad.
The Council’s report reiterated that, “A lack of foreign language competence remains an obstacle to embarking on learning mobility experiences, studying and working abroad, and fully discovering Europe’s cultural diversity.” It further emphasized that improving foreign language instruction and offering courses in different languages could attract more students to engage in learning mobility.
As the EU negotiates its tenth program for Research & Innovation (R&I), the Guild of European Research Universities has urged the EU to maintain open collaboration with non-EU partners like Switzerland and the UK, despite current geopolitical challenges. The Guild has previously advocated for the reintegration of the UK and Switzerland into Erasmus+, aiming for long-term cooperation and support in international education initiatives.
