After a two-year break, Swiss education representatives returned to Brussels to discover what is new in EU education and why it matters for Switzerland.
After the end of the pandemic-related restrictions, Swiss education delegations are back in Brussels to engage with EU partners. On 8-10 November 2022, the annual SwissCore Education Seminar took place after a two-year break. The Education Seminar is one of SwissCore’s main offers for representatives from Swiss universities, national agencies (Movetia, Educa and Education21), regional and national public authorities as well as students and teachers to learn about the newest developments in European education policy and programmes and to connect with the European institutions and stakeholders.
The Education Seminar showcased a number of EU initiatives that are open and relevant for Swiss education institutions, despite the ongoing political obstacles between Switzerland and the EU. In the field of higher education, the delegates followed presentations on the European Universities initiative, including from UnaEuropa, Eutopia and CIVIS, and learnt how Swiss higher education institutions (HEI) can and are participating in the European University alliances (see SwissCore article). The HEI delegates also discussed the topic of micro-credentials and new forms of learning as well as the Students-at-Risk (StAR) project by the Swiss Students Union (VSS-UNES), inspired by German Academic Exchange Service’s (DAAD) Hilde-Domin-programme. In the field of school education, the delegates discovered new possibilities for schools in the Erasmus+ programmes, in particular the Erasmus+ Teacher Academies. In further discussions, the school sector representatives learnt about support and training opportunities provided by the European Schoolnet (EUN) and its European School Education Platform (now including eTwinning and School Education Gateway), which is fully open for Swiss stakeholders as Switzerland is a member of EUN. Lastly, possibilities for engagement with the Education for Climate Coalition, a network of pupils and teachers active in sustainability and climate change action, were presented to the group. In each presentation and discussion, the focus was put on how Swiss education actors can actively engage with or contribute to the EU actions, either directly or with support from the Swiss programme for Erasmus+. This forward-looking aspect was an important element of the SwissCore education seminar.
The Education Seminar kicked off with an official welcome at the Swiss Mission to the EU to discuss the current state of Swiss-EU relations with a view of a Swiss association to Erasmus+. Afterwards, the Swiss delegation visited the European Parliament and heard the European perspective on Erasmus+ and a potential Swiss association. On that occasion, representatives of the Culture and Education Committee of the European Parliament voiced clear support for an immediate resumption of negotiations for an Erasmus+ association. The Swiss representatives expressed their strong interest and commitment to the MEPs to re-join Erasmus+ and fully contribute to strengthening education systems and delivering for young people.
On the social side, the group was officially welcomed at the VUB Campus in Brussels, and participated in the reception hosted by the Swiss Deputy Head of Mission. On that occasion, the President of the Erasmus Student Network International (ESN), Juan Rayon, held a passionate speech on the importance of Erasmus+ for our continent, including Switzerland.