EAEC Newsletter December 2011.pdf - European Association for ...

DECEMBER 2011
E u r o p e a n A s s o c i a t i o n o f E r a s m u s C o o r d i n a t o r s
EAEC newsletter
this issue
P1. Erasmus Congress and
Exhibition 2012
P2. “Erasmus For All”: A
new challenge for EAEC
P3-6. “Erasmus For All” - 5
million in line for EU
Funding
ERASMUS Congress
and Exhibition 2012
ERASMUS Congress and
Exhibition 2012
ERACON 2012
www.eracon.info, eracon@ucy.ac.cy
www.eaec.eu.com, info@eaec.eu.com
18-22 April 2012
Babes-Bolyai University
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
EUROPEAN Career Guidance
Conference 2012
CAREER-EU 2012
www.career-eu.info
www.eacg.eu, career.eu@ucy.ac.cy
P7. East Meets West -
International Congress and
Exhibition
European Association
of ERASMUS
Coordinators
University House
“A.G.Leventis”
Building
P.O.Box 20537
1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
T: +357 22 89 4278
F: +357 22 89 5015
info@eaec.eu.com
www.eaec.eu.com
www.eracon.info
The ERASMUS
CONFERENCE
grows bigger,
becomes a
CONGRESS and
hosts CAREER-EU
2012.
The European
Association of
ERASMUS
Coordinators (EAEC),
in cooperation with the
Babes-Bolyai University organizes the 8 th
Annual ERASMUS Congress and
Exhibition, from 18-22 April 2012, in Cluj-
Napoca, Romania. In parallel, the 3 rd
Annual CAREER–EU Conference 2012 of
the European Association
of Career Guidance,
(EACG) will be held.
ERASMUS coordinators,
placement managers,
professionals with an
interest in the LLP/ERASMUS Programme
and belong either to the academic or
business world ,are invited to participate in
the ERASMUS Congress and Exhibition
2012 and to make presentations and submit
written papers on their experiences in areas
related to the LLP/ERASMUS Programme.
Proposals for sessions within the Congress
are also welcome.
ERASMUS POSTER DESIGN
COMPETITION 2012
Within the framework of Erasmus Congress,
the Erasmus Poster Design Competition
has been taking place since 2008. The idea
is to reward the excellent poster designs
that institutions produce for Erasmus
Under the patronage of
Mrs Androulla Vassiliou,
Member of the European
Commission
promotional purposes. Eligible for
participating in the competition are
institutional representatives participating
and registering at the ERASMUS Congress
2012. Each institution could submit up to
two posters.
For more information please visit out
website site www.eracon.info or contact us
at eracon@ucy.ac.cy .
CAREER-EU POSTER
DESIGN COMPETITION
2012
This competition was
established in order to reward
the best poster designs that
institutions and organizations produce for
Career and Employment purposes. An
institution or organization is
eligible to participate in the
competition if at least one
representative participates
and registers for the
CAREER-EU 2012
Conference. Each institution/organization
can submit up to two posters.
ERASMUS GO-EXCHANGE EDUCATION
FAIR 2012
During the ERASMUS Congress a two
stage Go-Exchange ERASMUS Educational
Fair will take place, in which each
participating institution could provide
information on the programs offered and
opportunities for teacher and student
mobility, as well as ERASMUS student
placements and staff training opportunities.
The Fair is also expected to serve as a
basis for the promotion of bilateral
agreements between institutions, as well as
between institutions and enterprises.

EAEC Newsletter, December 2011, page 2
EAEC CELEBRATES THE 25 YEARS OF THE
ERASMUS PROGRAM in 2012
The European Association of ERASMUS
Coordinators plans the following activities for
celebrating the 25 Years of ERASMUS.
People who were either ERASMUS
Institutional Coordinators for more than
15 years or have been serving as
ERASMUS Institutional Coordinators
since the beginning of the ERASMUS
Program in their countries, could send to
EAEC their nominations. Top list will be
awarded with the Erasmus Minister
Label.
An anniversary poster design
competition with the theme “25 years of
Erasmus”.
A special issue to mark the “25 Years
ERASMUS Anniversary", in which EAEC
Members will present their institutional
profile, as well as their ERASMUS
Institutional Coordinator’s profile, will be
published.
THE INENTER CONFERENCE
509962-LLP-1-2010-1-CY-ERASMUS-ECUE
17-19 APRIL 2012, Babes-Bolyai University,
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
People attending the ERASMUS Congress could
arrive one day earlier and take part in the
INENTER project Conference without any extra
registration fees.
The European project INENTER which stands for
“Improving the placements and INternships from
academia to ENTERprises”, aims to develop and
apply a medium – long term quality strategy
aiming at identifying needs, raising awareness,
and introducing and developing actions, models,
measures, tools and good practices regarding
the internships and placements of students of all
levels, in industry and enterprises. The
partnership aims in developing a methodology
and tools for measuring the quality of such
activities. The project aspires to attain a better
and stronger communication and cooperation
between enterprises and academia, with
emphasis on the placement of students in
industry, as well as developing cooperation of
research activity of postgraduate students that
could involve enterprises.
Photos from Cluj-Napoca
ERASMUS FOR ALL: A New Challenge for EAEC
“Erasmus for All”, the EC proposal for the new programme for education, training, youth and sport (2014
-2020), is about to bring together all the current related EU and international schemes, accommodating
for a huge number of students, academics and professionals.
This will have a direct effect on EAEC, as 7 existing different programmes will be under the umbrella of 1,
in the following ways:
New members (academics, professionals, organizations, institutions), from different backgrounds, will
be interested in joining EAEC
New activities, strategic partnerships and synergies will be developed amongst EAEC members
The ERASMUS Congress will be targeted to an increased number of people resulting in a larger
audience
New themes to be covered and discussed within the ERASMUS Congress will arise
All the above will result in EAEC becoming bigger and more influential, having a key role to play for the
promotion of the new programme in the European and international arena.
Therefore, a new challenge for EAEC and for its members lies ahead!

EAEC Newsletter, December 2011, page 3
Erasmus for All
5 million in line for EU funding
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 on 23 rd November
2011. 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.
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;
Support for reforms in
Member States to
modernise education
and training systems and
promote innovation,
entrepreneurship, and
employability.
Erasmus for All will replace seven
existing programmes with one: it
brings together the existing Lifelong
Learning Programme (Erasmus,
Leonardo da Vinci, Comenius and
Grundtvig), Youth in Action, and five
international cooperation
programmes (Erasmus Mundus,
Tempus, Alfa, Edulink and the
programme for cooperation with
industrialized countries). The main
actions of the existing programmes
will continue (i.e. learning mobility,
cooperation projects and support for
policy reform), but activities will be
strengthened where the systemic
impact is strongest and where there
is a clear EU added value.
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.
Two completely new elements will be
part of Erasmus for All:
A loan guarantee scheme to
help Master's degree students
to finance their studies abroad
and to acquire the skills needed
for knowledge intensive jobs.
The creation of 400 'knowledge
alliances' and 'sector skills
alliances'. Knowledge alliances
are large-scale partnerships
between higher education
institutions and businesses to
promote creativity, innovation and
entrepreneurship by offering new
learning opportunities and
qualifications. Sector skills
alliances are partnerships
between education and training
providers and businesses to
promote employability by forming
new sector-specific curricula and
innovative forms of vocational
teaching and training.
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.
This proposal is now under discussion by the Council of the EU (27 Member States) and the
European Parliament who will take the final decision on the budgetary framework for 2014-2020.
More information: http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus-for-all/

EAEC Newsletter, December 2011, page 4
What is Erasmus for All?
Erasmus for All is the new programme proposed by the European Commission for education, training, youth and
sport. It would start in 2014 and would significantly increase the funds allocated for the development of knowledge
and skills. Erasmus for All is based on the premise that investing in education and training is the key to unlocking
people's potential, regardless of their age or background. It helps them to increase their personal development,
gain new skills and boost their job prospects.
What will Erasmus for All support?
Erasmus for All will have a streamlined structure which will improve effectiveness, which means more grants for
students, trainees, teachers and others. The benefits for individuals will also bring benefits for the EU economy as
a whole.
Opportunities for mobility and cooperation will be significantly strengthened under the new programme: in
particular, there will be more funding available for study, training, teaching and volunteering opportunities abroad
for higher education and vocational students, trainees, teachers, trainers and youth workers. There will also be
more opportunities for education and training institutions or youth organizations to engage in partnerships to
exchange good practice and with businesses to promote innovation and employability, as well as greater support
for IT platforms, such as e-twinning, to connect schools and other learning providers via the internet.
The programme will support three main types of actions:
Learning opportunities for individuals, both within the EU and beyond, including: study and training,
traineeships, teaching and professional development and non-formal youth activities such as volunteering.
Erasmus for All would provide opportunities for learning abroad for up to 5 million people across all education
and training sectors. Europeans would have the option to study, train or teach at higher education institutions
anywhere in the world, and non-European students and staff would have more opportunities to study, teach
and learn in Europe. Extending the programme beyond the EU's borders will increase the attractiveness of
European higher education and at the same time support the development of higher education elsewhere in
the world.
Institutional cooperation between educational institutions, youth organizations, businesses, local and
regional authorities and NGOs, to encourage the development and implementation of innovative practices in
education, training and youth activities, and to promote employability, creativity and entrepreneurship.
Support for policy reform in Member States and cooperation with non-EU countries, with a focus on
strengthening the evidence-base for policy making and exchange of good practices. Support will include the
implementation of EU transparency tools, cross-country studies and support for specific policy agendas such
as the Bologna (higher education) and Copenhagen (vocational education and training) processes.
Two completely new elements will be part of Erasmus for All:
ERASMUS for All
Frequently Asked Questions
A loan guarantee scheme to help Master's degree students to finance their studies abroad and to
acquire the skills needed for knowledge intensive jobs.
The creation of 400 'knowledge alliances' and 'sector skills alliances'. Knowledge alliances are largescale
partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses to promote creativity, innovation and
entrepreneurship by offering new learning opportunities and qualifications. Sector skills alliances are
partnerships between education and training providers and businesses to promote employability by forming
new sector-specific curricula and innovative forms of vocational teaching and training.

EAEC Newsletter, December 2011, page 5
How will Erasmus For All differ from the current programmes?
The main aim remains the same – to improve people's skills and ultimately their employability as well as to support the
modernization of education and training systems. Erasmus for All would replace seven existing programmes with one: it
brings together the existing Lifelong Learning Programme (Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci, Comenius and Grundtvig), Youth in
Action, and five international cooperation programmes (Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Alfa, Edulink and the programme for
cooperation with industrialized countries).
The main actions of the existing programmes will continue (i.e. learning mobility, cooperation projects and support for policy
reform), but activities will be strengthened where the systemic impact is strongest and where there is a clear EU added value.
There are also a number of new innovative proposals, such as the Erasmus Master's degree student loan guarantee scheme,
the knowledge alliances and the sector skills alliances. A single programme will result in simpler application rules and
procedures, as well as avoiding fragmentation and duplication.
Why do we need a new EU approach to education and training?
The world was different when the existing programmes were created. We are currently experiencing one of the most
tumultuous economic periods of our time. The EU has responded with a co-ordinated strategy for growth and jobs called
Europe 2020 – and education and training are an integral part of this.
The European job market is also changing. The number of high-skilled jobs is growing while the number of low-skilled jobs is
decreasing. It is estimated that by 2020 nearly 35% of all jobs will require high skills, innovation capacity and the ability to
adapt. One of the headline targets in the Europe 2020 strategy is to raise higher education attainment to 40% (from 32%
now). . Erasmus for All can contribute by helping people to gain more and better skills through opportunities to study and train
abroad.
The other education headline target in the Europe 2020 strategy is to reduce the share of early school leavers from 14% to
less than 10%. To contribute to this goal, Erasmus for All will support modernization at all levels of education and training,
including school education, from early childhood to secondary level and initial vocational training. Non-formal learning will be
supported as well through youth exchanges and volunteering.
How will Erasmus For All address youth unemployment?
Erasmus for All will help young people to get training and skills that can increase their personal development and job
prospects. Studying abroad can also increase language skills and adaptability. Studies have showed that students who have
spent part of their studies abroad are more likely to take up a job abroad when entering the labour market.
Erasmus for All also recognizes the importance of non-formal learning. Evidence shows that getting a job is not just about
having the right diploma; employers increasingly look for skills acquired through non-formal learning experiences such as
volunteering. Indeed, 75% of those who had participated in the European Voluntary Service said that their career prospects
had improved thanks to this experience.
Who will be the main beneficiaries?
As the name suggests, Erasmus for All is open to all learners and trainers, through any public or private body active in
education, training, youth and sport. It will support formal and non-formal learning experiences and activities across all
sectors.

EAEC Newsletter, December 2011, page 6
Will the target beneficiaries change from those supported by the existing programmes?
No. The new programme will still focus on the needs of young people, whether they are pupils, students, trainees, volunteers
or involved in associations. It will place more emphasis on support for teachers, trainers, information officers and youth
workers because of their importance as 'multipliers'.
Cooperation projects will focus more on including business as partners with educational establishments and youth
organizations.
Schools will be encouraged to collaborate with their peers in other EU countries to enhance the impact of EU support and
promote synergies between different forms of cooperation, such as pupil and staff mobility and educational projects. As for
adult education, the programme will boost mobility of teachers and trainers and foster closer cross-border cooperation
between organizations.
Some activities supported by the current programmes will be reduced or discontinued in view of their limited systemic impact,
or because they provide poor value for money or if they could be more efficiently supported through other EU funding, such
as the European Social Fund (ESF). Mobility of people who are already on the job market, for instance, would be more of a
priority for the ESF.
What is the added value of a student loan guarantee at EU level when many Member States have their own
student loan scheme?
Student loan schemes exist in a number of countries, but they are often restricted to studies in national institutions or to
undergraduates. Many national loan schemes have restrictions in terms of portability abroad.
The proposed EU student loan facility focuses on Master's students studying in a different European country. Master degree
courses are likely to be more expensive than undergraduate courses. The initiative would be complementary to national
funding schemes, where they exist. .
What else is the Commission doing to increase student and youth mobility?
Funding is important, but money alone is not enough to make mobility a realistic opportunity for all. This will require a joint
effort and new partnerships to remove obstacles which persist at national and regional levels. Part of this effort will be to
improve the availability of information, to ensure grants and loans are "portable" (i.e. that they can be used by students
studying or training abroad) and to improve recognition for study and training results.
In May, EU Education Ministers agreed on a joint plan [in the form of a Council Recommendation] to remove obstacles to
studying or training abroad.
Why has the Commission decided to stop using existing names of mobility programmes such as
Leonardo da Vinci, Comenius and Grundtvig?
Erasmus is a name which is widely recognized by the public and strongly associated with learning abroad and European
cooperation. In setting up an integrated single programme, it makes sense to avoid multiple names and to capitalize on the
popularity and awareness of the Erasmus brand.
Which countries will be able to participate in Erasmus for All?
Erasmus for All will be open to all EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, EU candidate countries
benefiting from a pre-accession strategy and other countries in the Western Balkans.
In addition, non-EU, mostly neighborhood countries, will be able to benefit from actions aimed at promoting study and training
opportunities abroad, as well as youth activities.

EAEC Newsletter, December 2011, page 7
Under the auspices of the
Cyprus Presidency
of the
Council of the EU 2012
The East-Meets-West on Innovation
and Entrepreneurship Congress and
Exhibition will be held during 1-4
September 2012 at the University of
Cyprus in Nicosia, Cyprus. The
Congress is organized by the
European Office of Cyprus and will
explore new tools so as to bring
researchers and enterprises together
from all over the world. The Congress
will serve as a highlight global event
for harnessing the potential of
entrepreneurship to transfer
innovation ideas into products and
services.
More than 1000 delegates
representing more than 50 countries
are expected to attend the event.
Cyprus’ prime location supports
networking between East and West.
Cyprus as an EU member state will
hold the EU Presidency Council
during the second six months of 2012.
Sessions will involve key players who
wish to network and develop
partnerships. Several sessions will
run in parallel on different scientific
fields as well as innovative services.
An Exhibition on innovation with a
number of communication events is
expected to host the main
stakeholders of the research
community and entrepreneurs from all
over the world.
INTERNATIONAL
CONGRESS AND
EXHIBITION
1-4 September 2012
Nicosia, Cyprus
The main objective of the Congress is to promote cross-national
collaboration between East and West as a tool to overcome
national limitations on knowledge, financial resources,
technology and services.
More specifically, the Congress aims to:
1. Improve links between scientific and business communities
2. Promote private sector investment in science, innovation and
enterprise development
3. Encourage SMEs and scientists to exploit global knowledge
resources
4. Increase innovation financing mechanisms
For these reasons, the Congress will trigger discussions on
innovative policy tools and measures needed to build the
necessary human capital, infrastructure and financial
instruments to create and facilitate international collaborations.
The Congress and Exhibition will offer:
1. Round table meetings where delegates will have the
opportunity to discuss issues and draw conclusions on
innovation and entrepreneurship
2. Sessions with international key note speakers giving the latest
insights on innovation and entrepreneurship, policy and
priorities
3. Exhibition of innovative research outcomes, products and
services, employment and career guidance services. 4 Special
meetings, communication and other social events will be
included in the programme
CYPRUS IS THE CROSSROADS OF
EAST AND WEST,
LETS ALL MEET THERE
www.eastmeetswest.eu.com
Get on the e-mailing list...write to: eastwest2012@ucy.ac.cy