Is Erasmus in danger?
Following the declaration of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, MEPs debated under the title “Is Erasmus in danger?” the situation of the education programme during the EP’s plenary session in Strasbourg.
DAHR’s MEP Csaba Sógor, who considers the centuries old tradition of being educated in Europe of the Hungarian youth from Transylvania to be indispensible to the cultural heritage of the Hungarian minority, expressed his opinion in writing:
“The economic difficulties of EU Member States are well known, but I consider it to be unworthy of the EU to let the Erasmus programme or the cohesion funds destined for underdeveloped regions to be threatened by financial troubles. The Erasmus programme is a milestone in the EU’s success story and requires an additional EUR 90 million for its continuation. It means a lot all those who benefit from it. It is justified to find the resources in the budget for this programme because this is one of the projects that make the EU’s benefits tangible and through it the citizens feel the actual usefulness of the EU. The Erasmus programme is in fact the putting into practice of European values, just like the Euro, the Schengen Area and the right to free movement.
I find it interesting that, along with issues regarding the Euro, some Member States urge for the reform of the Schengen Area and the tightening of the right to free movement at a moment when the financing of the Erasmus programme has come under threat. Let us be honest: this amount is insignificant compared to the common budget and the bailouts of the Euro crisis. It is unacceptable to threaten especially those programmes and achievements that can be most linked to the EU through restrictions. This way we would make the professional perspectives of the future generation more difficult and feed euroscepticism within the youth.”
“The economic difficulties of EU Member States are well known, but I consider it to be unworthy of the EU to let the Erasmus programme or the cohesion funds destined for underdeveloped regions to be threatened by financial troubles. The Erasmus programme is a milestone in the EU’s success story and requires an additional EUR 90 million for its continuation. It means a lot all those who benefit from it. It is justified to find the resources in the budget for this programme because this is one of the projects that make the EU’s benefits tangible and through it the citizens feel the actual usefulness of the EU. The Erasmus programme is in fact the putting into practice of European values, just like the Euro, the Schengen Area and the right to free movement.
I find it interesting that, along with issues regarding the Euro, some Member States urge for the reform of the Schengen Area and the tightening of the right to free movement at a moment when the financing of the Erasmus programme has come under threat. Let us be honest: this amount is insignificant compared to the common budget and the bailouts of the Euro crisis. It is unacceptable to threaten especially those programmes and achievements that can be most linked to the EU through restrictions. This way we would make the professional perspectives of the future generation more difficult and feed euroscepticism within the youth.”
