Arqus participates in the European Degree session at the ESN – Erasmus Generation Meeting 2024 in Seville

The Arqus Secretary General, Fernando M. Galán, is participating this Saturday in the Erasmus Generation Meeting, the largest student conference focusing on the Erasmus+ programme organised by the Erasmus Student Network, which is taking place in Seville from today until Sunday, 7^th April 2024.

The Erasmus Generation Meeting is the largest student-led event focusing on learning mobility and the implementation of the Erasmus+ programme, and it seeks to provide a unique space to bring together students, alumni and authorities working on Erasmus+ and other mobility programmes.

Under the theme of Removing barriers to active and equal participation, the 2024 edition will have two main pillars: Inclusive international opportunities for all students and young people and Participation in democratic life in light of the European Parliament elections in 2024. The event will feature ESN’s flagship project, “Erasmus Generation in Action”, co-funded by the European Parliament, which seeks to mobilise the Erasmus Generation to participate in democratic life and increase their awareness and engagement regarding opportunities and benefits offered by the EU, with a specific focus on the elections of the European Parliament taking place a few weeks after the event.

In its third edition, it is expected that the event will gather more than 1000 participants and include more than 200 dynamic sessions with over 180 speakers committed to fostering inclusivity, combatting discrimination, and nurturing active citizenship.

Among the guests, the EGM 2024 will count on the participation of Mr Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission, Jaume Duch Guillot, the spokesperson of the European Parliament and Director-General of Communication of the institution, Juan Cruz Cigudosa, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities in Spain, and Sira Rego, Minister of Youth and Children of Spain.

The content of this year’s edition will put the spotlight on many hot topics very related to the Arqus Alliance’s main themes, such as inclusion, participation in democratic life, the fight against discrimination and the general implementation of mobility programmes.

Fernando M. Galán, Arqus Secretary General, and Yann-Maël Bideau, Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG EAC) will chair the session “On the pathway to the European Degree” on Saturday, 6^th April, from 12:30 to 14:00 CEST. The session will adopt the format of a Knowledge Hub and will delve into the specifics of the European Degree pilot projects, outlining their objectives and discussing the potential impact on student mobility. Fernando M. Galán will present the results of the EDLab project developed by Arqus together with three Alliances (ENLIGHT, EUTOPIA and SEA-EU). Namely, Fernando will share how this project has notably contributed to the blueprint for a European Degree by testing the implementation of European and international joint degree programmes and the European Degree Label with special emphasis on France, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

The Meeting will also feature dance and music performances, a flag parade showcasing the rich tapestry of cultures, enlightening plenary sessions, interactive workshops and the bustling hub of innovation known as the EGM Expo. During the event, the participants, together with the external jury, will have the opportunity to choose the Erasmus Destination of the Year 2024. The winners of the ESN Awards, highlighting the initiatives from around the Erasmus Student Network, will be also announced during the EGM.

The open sessions may be followed on the ESN YouTube channel.