EU : Erasmus must also benefit to poorest students

The EU?s educational exchange programme Esrasmus will celebrate next year its 20th birthday. Despite its success, measured each year by the rising number of students taking part in educational exchanges in other EU Member States, Erasmus still remains an elitist choice, because of the too low subsidy allowed to each participant. Figures recently published by the EU institutions indicate that students from less-favourable financial backgrounds cannot afford the cost of such a mobility. The European Commission recognizes that “Europe?s porest students are unable to benefit from the scheme”. Some months ago, the Erasmus students staying in France for one year put the pressure on the national authorities, claiming for a decent and affordable housing for foreign youngsters. In the meantime, the Erasmus programme is considered as the main driver for the EU communication and one of the best achievements of a coordinated European action. The programme began in 1987 with just 3,244 students taking part. By 2005, the number had risen to 144,032. The digital media Café Babel born in 2000 on the initiative of two Italian Erasmus students staying in Strasbourg represents what could be done in terms of youth mobility: the creation of a social European enterprise without borders. www.cafebabel.com