THE ERASMUS PROGRAMME CELEBRATES ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY

The ERASMUS programme was launched in June 1987 and 3244 participated in its first academic year. Now, more than 150 000 people benefit each year from the programme. The Commission and the 31 participating countries will celebrate its 20th anniversary throughout the year 2007.

The ERASMUS programme, which is arguably one of the best-known Community actions, encourages student and teacher mobility, and promotes transnational cooperation projects among universities across Europe. The scheme currently covers nine out of every ten European higher education establishments. It was named after Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466 – 1536), who was a Dutch humanist and theologian.

ERASMUS has developed beyond just being an educational programme. It gives many European university students the chance of living for the first time in a foreign country, and it has reached the status of a social and cultural phenomenon. Well over 1.5 million students have so far benefited from Erasmus grants, and the European Commission hopes to reach a total of 3 million by 2012.

	Erasmus Day celebrations taking place in the participating countries
	Press release : Erasmus @ 20: the Commission launches the celebrations for the anniversary of its flagship education programme
	Extracts from the press conference by President Barroso and Commissioner Figel (03'35")
	Photo coverage
	Erasmus Programme, facts and figures (Frequently Asked Questions)
	Erasmus Programme, how does it work ? (Frequently Asked Questions)
	External Evaluation of the Impact of Erasmus Mobility on Students' and Teaching Staff Access to Employment and Career Development : Report - Executive summary
	Survey of the Socio-Economic Background of the Erasmus Student : Report - Technical annexes

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	Last update: 21-05-2007