ΕDUCATION AND CULTURE..

Erasmus hits new record with 8.5% increase in student exchanges MEDIA and 'Creative Europe' in the spotlight at 65th Cannes Film Festival A renewed collective commitment towards a fully functioning : European Higher Education Area Ministers discuss "Erasmus for All" and "Creative Europe" programmes Erasmus 25th Anniversary Competition Androulla VassiliouCommissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth "The Erasmus programme, whose silver anniversary we are celebrating this year, is one of the biggest success stories of the European Union. The figures speak for themselves – and would have been even higher if we had the resources to match demand. In these difficult times, the skills gained through Erasmus studies and placements are more valuable than ever"

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In the spotlight Erasmus hits new record with 8.5% increase in student exchanges  Twenty-five years after its launch, Erasmus has become the best known EU programme and the most successful student exchange scheme in the world. More than 231 000 students received Erasmus grants to study or train abroad during the 2010-11 academic year – a new record and an 8.5% increase compared to the previous year. With its focus on languages, adaptability, inter-cultural awareness and leadership, Erasmus provides young people with vital skills to boost their employability and personal development. Since it began in 1987, the programme has provided more than 2.5 million European students with the opportunity to go abroad to study at a higher education institution or for a job placement in a company. On current trends, the European Union will reach its target of supporting 3 million Erasmus students by 2012-13.

MEDIA and 'Creative Europe' in the spotlight at 65th Cannes Film Festival Eighteen films supported by the European Commission's MEDIA programme were in the Cannes Film Festival's 'Official Selection' this year, of which seven were in competition for the Palme d'Or, notably "Amour" by Michael Haneke, "The Angel's Share" by Ken Loach and "Jagten" (The Hunt) by Thomas Vinterberg (full list in annex). During the Festival, Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, awarded the first 'Prix MEDIA' to Iranian film-maker Asghar Farhadi and also discussed the Commission's proposed new 'Creative Europe' programme, which includes MEDIA, with film directors and professionals. The new programme, which focuses on the cultural and creative sectors, has received strong support from EU Culture and Audiovisual Ministers. A renewed collective commitment towards a fully functioning : European Higher Education Area Education Ministers from the 47 countries participating in the Bologna Process met in Bucharest to review progress in Higher Education reforms and set priorities for the next three years. In their Communiqué, Ministers emphasised the importance of higher education to Europe's capacity to deal with the economic crisis and to contribute to growth and jobs. In doing so, the Communiqué echoes the EU Agenda for the Modernisation of Higher Education presented by the Commission in 2011 and creates stronger links between Bologna and EU policies. Ministers discuss "Erasmus for All" and "Creative Europe" programmes On 10-11 May, in public deliberation, the EU Education Ministers and EU Culture Ministers discussed for the first time the Commission proposals for the "Creative Europe" and "Erasmus for All" Programmes for the period 2014-2020. In both cases they reached a partial agreement on these future programmes. The Commissioner for education, culture, youth and multilingualism, Androulla Vassiliou was delighted that there had been such broad consensus on the major points. Activities supported by both programmes will represent a strong European added value, and the programmes will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy and its flagship initiatives, she said. Discussions did not concern the budget, which will be debated during the ongoing negotiations on the multiannual financial framework. Erasmus 25th Anniversary Competition Hundreds of Erasmus students participated in the public competition to celebrate the 25th Erasmus Anniversary organised on Facebook between the 29th February and 30th April. Every participant could upload to the Youth on the Move Facebook Page a text, photo or a video (or a combination of all) regarding his/her Erasmus experience.  The top 10 were selected and participants voted then on Internet to choose the three winners. More than 500 votes were cast. 11 May 2012 What do Picasso, McCartney, Einstein and Erasmus have in common? 08 May 2012 EU Architecture Prize exhibition in Düsseldorf 04 May 2012 Youth entrepreneurship versus youth unemployment - Policy Brief on Youth Entrepreneurship 26 April 2012 Bologna process: Higher education reform key for jobs and growth 24 April 2012 Sharing Language for Industry Growth: LIND-Web Platform 30-31 May 2012 Meeting of Competitiveness Council 01 June 2012 Heritage Prize ceremony - Lisbon 07-08 June 2012 EU business forum on skills, Brussels 11-12 June 2012 Symposium on Well-being of young people Open calls Education: Open Call for Tender EAC/03/2012 - Development and Running of the Marie Curie Alumni Association – Deadline: 18 June 2012 Sport: study on sports organisers' rights in the EU MEDIA: updated calendar of Distribution calls and deadlines Selected projects MEDIA: support to distribution , i2i audiovisual  projects and promotion  Youth: Support to bodies active at European level in the field of youth (Action 4.1) Culture: Support to European cultural festivals (Strand 1.3.6) Loans for vocational education and training in Europe  Necessary conditions for ECVET implementation Recommended annual taught time in full-time compulsory education in Europe  Leonardo da Vinci – Vocational training – Compendium 2011  The European Higher Education Area in 2012: Bologna Process Implementation Report  Youth Employment - European good practice projects EU Expert Groups "Good Governance" and "Sport, Health and Participation" - Reports Erasmus Manifesto  Leonardo da Vinci - Facts and Figures 2007-2011