Erasmus loss post-Brexit ‘would be massive’ in Wales

Background information:

Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport, which aims to boost skills and employability as well as modernise education, training, and youth work and promote innovation, entrepreneurship and employability across Europe. Erasmus+ succeeds the former Erasmus, Comenius, Youth in Action, Leonardo, Grundtvig and Transversal programmes which ran from 2007-2013.

It has a budget of approximately €14.7 billion (£12 billion) across Europe to help more than four million people to study, train, gain work experience or volunteer abroad. It also supports transnational partnerships between education, training and youth organisations as well as grassroots sport projects. Almost €1 billion will be allocated to the UK over seven years, where it is expected to enable around 250,000 people to take part. The British Council manages the Erasmus+ programme in the UK, in partnership with Ecorys UK.Report of comments by Dr Hywel Ceri Jones, a founding father of the EU's Erasmus programme and former Director General for employment, social policy and industrial relations for the European Commission. He was speaking at the official celebration at the Senedd in Cardiff, Wales in November 2017 for the 30th anniversary of the Erasmus Programme.

He said that Wales faced a 'mountain to climb' if access to European study opportunities was not secured post-Brexit.

See also a report published in November 2017 from Universities Wales The Economic Impact of International Students in Wales.

British Council: Wales: Erasmus+ https://wales.britishcouncil.org/en/education/erasmus

Institute of Welsh Affairs: ClickonWales, 12.05.17: What does Brexit mean for the future of Welsh universities? http://www.europeansources.info/record/what-does-brexit-mean-for-the-future-of-welsh-universities/

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Find more information on Wales and the EU Referendum, 23 June 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/advSearchLink?keyword=brexit%20wales%20&searchOption=all

EurActiv, 27.11.17: Erasmus architect fears for project’s future in native Wales http://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/erasmus-architect-fears-for-projects-future-in-native-wales/

Wales Online, 21.11.17: This is the huge contribution that foreign students make to the Welsh economy http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/huge-contribution-foreign-students-make-13929242

Universities Wales: News, 21.11.17: Study shows international students at Welsh universities are bringing significant and positive benefits to Wales http://www.uniswales.ac.uk/study-shows-international-students-at-welsh-universities-are-bringing-significant-and-positive-benefits-to-wales/

Universities Wales: Report, November 2017: The Economic Impact of International Students in Wales http://www.uniswales.ac.uk/wp/media/Unis-Wales-international-student-research.pdf

Universities Wales: Publications: Universities Wales response to consultation on the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill and its implications for Wales, September 2017 http://www.uniswales.ac.uk/wp/media/Unis-Wales-response-to-EU-Withdrawal-Bill-consultation-20170904.pdf

Universities UK International: Studying in the UK: FAQs and Key Messages 2017-2018 http://www.uniswales.ac.uk/wp/media/UUKi-FAQs-for-potential-EU-students-17-18-May-2017.pdf

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