Education
The EU supports Member States in their efforts to provide the best education and training for their citizens. It also promotes multilingualism in Europe, helping with the teaching and learning of languages, encouraging mobility of students, trainees, teachers and young people, and facilitating exchanges of information and experience. Through the Erasmus+ programme, the EU also provides funding, tools and resources for individuals, organisations and policy reform.
The European Commission is prioritizing the development of a “Union of Skills” to enhance Europe’s competitiveness. This involves boosting investment in STEM education, digital skills (including AI and cybersecurity), and entrepreneurship training across disciplines. The European Year of Digital Citizenship Education in 2025 highlights the importance of preparing learners for a digitally connected world, emphasizing ethical, responsible, and effective online engagement. Initiatives like the European Universities Initiative, now encompassing a significant number of alliances, aim to foster transnational cooperation, develop joint programs, and enhance student and staff mobility. Efforts to achieve mutual recognition of qualifications across the EU will continue, facilitated by tools like the EU Student Card and the Bologna Process.
Universities in the US are under attack. While the Trump administration pretends to punish them for their alleged compliance with or support for “antisemitism” (ie pro-Gaza demonstrations) and “anti-white racism” (ie diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives), the real targets are academic freedom and freedom of speech.
Recently, several European universities, such as Aix-Marseille University in France and Free University Brussels, have set up initiatives to provide a haven to “the biggest victims of this political and ideological interference”.
Several European countries have also started to discuss plans to bring leading international scientists to Europe. Few have been so blunt as the minister of education, culture and science in the Netherlands, Eppo Bruins, who defended his initiative in classic Dutch mercantile language: “Top scientists are worth their weight in gold for our country and for Europe.”