The first and biggest event of the Erasmus Generation will take place in Porto, from the 7th to the 10th of April, bringing together more than 800 participants from all over Europe in a conference on future mobility, with a focus on the new Erasmus+ program 2021-2027.
The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) opens the dialogue on the future of mobility, giving voice to the Erasmus generation to learn, discuss, share, express their concerns and find solutions, at what will become an annual student-organised conference for students on the internationalisation of education, in the emblematic European Year of Youth. The Erasmus Generation Meeting rests on four pillars - diversity and inclusion, digital transformation, environment and climate action, and democratic participation and civic engagement - which will be discussed in over 80 different sessions, facilitated by both ESN members and trainers and speakers from external partners, universities, and partner associations.
The event organised by Erasmus Student Network Portugal and supported by the European Commission features video messages from the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, as well as the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, an alumna of the Erasmus+ programme herself, and Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, expressed her gratitude to the ESN volunteers in a written statement, highlighting their work as “instrumental to making the Erasmus+ programme a true success”.
Erasmus Generation Meeting will open with a Flag Parade on Thursday afternoon, followed by the Opening Ceremony, which will be live-streamed on ESN’s Facebook page and the official pages of Erasmus+ and Representation of the European Commission in Portugal. During this time, will have guest speakers such as Rui Moreira, Mayor of Porto; Ana Cristina Perdigão, Director of the National Erasmus+ Agency - Education and Training; Joana Lima, Deputy Director of the National Erasmus+ Agency - Youth in Action; Sofia Moreira de Sousa, Representative of the European Commission in Portugal.
The opening ceremony will also feature "Dialogue with the Erasmus Generation", which is to be the flagship moment in celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the Erasmus+ programme. The idea of the dialogue is to share the personal experiences of Erasmus alumni from different generations in a dynamic and engaging way, focusing on the personal side of the experience and reinforcing the idea of belonging to the same "Erasmus Generation", regardless of age, nationality and background.
On the 8th of April, alongside the sessions which are taking place over the course of three days, there will be a 'Career Fair', promoted by Talent Portugal together with ESN, where companies from various industries will be in contact with the participants in order to publicise job opportunities in Portugal and support the employability of Europe’s youth and Erasmus+ alumni.
On April 9, the 'Mobility Fair' will take place, with the participation of more than 40 countries of the Erasmus Student Network representing over 1000 higher education institutions, as well as Portuguese universities such as the University of Coimbra, University of Porto, University of Aveiro, and others.
The event’s partners and sponsors include SITEL, Porto City Council, Responsible Party Project ESN has had for over a decade with their partner, Pernod Ricard, Talent Portugal, Eurosender, Yes-Trips and Licor Beirão.
Follow ESN