Press Release: Erasmus: changing lives, opening minds for 25 years

Erasmus, the world's most successful student exchange programme, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Nearly three million students have benefited from a study period or work placement abroad since the creation of the Erasmus programme in 1987. Under the slogan, 'Erasmus: changing lives, opening minds for 25 years', the silver anniversary celebrations was launched on 30 January 2012 by Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.

Erasmus mobility is at the heart of the Commission's strategy to combat youth unemployment by focusing more on skills development – an issue which will be discussed by heads of state and government at the Informal European Council.

ESO: Background information: ERASMUS Programme http://www.europeansources.info/record/erasmus-programme/

European Commission: Memo/12/54: Frequently Asked Questions: Erasmus Programme http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/12/54&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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