{"id":7076,"date":"2017-06-11T13:49:50","date_gmt":"2017-06-11T13:49:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/site.aegee.org\/?p=7076"},"modified":"2018-07-20T12:22:49","modified_gmt":"2018-07-20T10:22:49","slug":"policy-paper-on-the-summer-university-project-and-the-recognition-of-aegee-as-a-provider-of-short-term-youth-mobility-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/site.aegee.org\/policy-paper-on-the-summer-university-project-and-the-recognition-of-aegee-as-a-provider-of-short-term-youth-mobility-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Policy Paper on the Summer University Project and the recognition of AEGEE as a provider of short-term youth mobility programs"},"content":{"rendered":"

01 | Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

AEGEE-Europe \/ European Students\u2019 Forum is a non-governmental, politically independent, and non-profit student organization which has around 13000 members from more than 200 cities in 40 countries all over Europe.[1]<\/sup><\/sup><\/a> The mission of AEGEE is creation of borderless Europe, which could be implemented by giving the young people opportunities of cultural exchange, integration and travelling.[2]<\/sup><\/sup><\/a> Visiting different countries is the best way to broaden the mind and share cultural diversity. However, quite a lot of destinations are still rather problematic for young people to reach, mostly due to bureaucratic (visas) and financial (high ticket prices) barriers. Moreover, many opportunities are missed due to lack of information: Most young people have only heard\u00a0 about Erasmus student exchange, although\u00a0 there are\u00a0 a lot of other possibilities (for instance, the Youth Exchange Training Course, EVS, the EU Aid volunteers, etc.). Since the foundation of AEGEE many steps towards broader availability of travel have been taken, especially in the Schengen Area. However, there are still many obstacles to mobility in Europe: As 25% of the AEGEE network is outside the European Union, visa problems can sometimes be substantial.<\/p>\n

In the following paper the importance of youth mobility will be explained in terms of the biggest and most significant project of the organization: the Summer University. While long-term mobility programs supported by universities (like Erasmus) are broadly recognized, there are still short-term mobility programs supported by international NGOs, which also contribute a lot to creating European citizens. First of all, in section 3 the essence of the Summer University project will be described, as well as its history, development, purpose and diversity. Further, in section 4 the methodology of the research will be explained. The research presents the results of a questionnaire conducted among members of AEGEE on the impact of participation in and\/or organization of a the Summer University on their life and personality, and also the statistic and description of various mobility barriers faced by members of the organization\u00a0 when trying to reach the place where the SU will take place..<\/p>\n

Based on the results and statistics of the survey and the position\u00a0 of AEGEE, illustrated in section 5, recommendations about possible measures concerning visa procedure and possible international support of NGOs (as stakeholders in organizing mobility projects and events) from the institutions and local governments will be given in section 6.<\/p>\n

02 | Context\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

The issue of youth mobility programs is as urgent as ever, especially taking into account not only the question of individual development but also the social situation in Europe, decrease of the level of European identity and solidarity, and raising Euroscepticism.<\/p>\n

To the question concerning the Erasmus program (which \u201cenables European students to spend part of their studies at another higher education institution or with an organisation in Europe\u201d), a large majority of Europeans express a positive opinion about it (86% \u2018positive\u2019); just 5% have a negative opinion, and 9% are unable to answer.[3]<\/sup><\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The essence of the Erasmus program – as well as its main benefit – is its contribution to creating European citizens in the sense\u00a0 for which the whole European policy strives: democratic, tolerant, open-minded, with a wide range of interests. The importance of this program cannot be understated (especially in view of the rise of populism, nationalism and Euroscepticism), but we must keep in mind that Erasmus is not the only mobility program which can help to achieve this aim. There are many other long-term and short-term mobility programs with various contents\u00a0 but with a common result. One of these programs, coordinated by AEGEE-Europe, is the Summer University project\u00a0 (detailed in section\u00a0 3).<\/p>\n

One undeniable advantage of the Summer University project over the Erasmus program is that it is open\u00a0 to absolutely all young Europeans regardless of background or whether they are studying at university (only students can take part in the Erasmus program). Besides, not all European countries are involved in the Erasmus program so far, whereas the Summer University project is accessible for citizens of any European country\u00a0 (both EU\u00a0 and non-EU).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

03 | The Summer University Project<\/strong><\/p>\n

AEGEE provides young people with a lot of opportunities for travelling and self-development by organising various international projects and events. The biggest and most significant project, which is described in detail below, is Summer University.<\/p>\n

The Summer University project was established in 1988 and this is one of the largest and most successful youth exchange independent short-time mobility volunteering project organized by an NGO.[4]<\/sup><\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Summer Universities are events which\u00a0 take place during summer for between one and four weeks in most of the cities in which\u00a0 AEGEE is present. Understanding and exploring the multicultural dimension of the European continent, overcoming national and cultural stereotypes, fighting for tolerance and creating open-minded citizens are some of the reasons why 20 to 50 young Europeans from all over Europe come together in each Summer University.[5]<\/sup><\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The second part of its name – \u201cUniversity\u201d – is not simply a word, it is very significant, concerning AEGEE\u2019s aim of non-formal education and being realized with workshops, discussions, presentations or even projects provided by either experienced members of AEGEE or by other partner institutions.[6]<\/sup><\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The idea of this project belongs to Daisy Kopmels (member of AEGEE-Amsterdam, 1988). First Summer Universities were 10 language courses offered to 320 applicants, taking place in Bellaterra\/Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, Heidelberg, Kiel, Milano, Amsterdam, Orl\u00e9ans, Paris and Toulouse. The languages which were studied at these courses were Catalan, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch and French.[7]<\/sup><\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The following timeline illustrates the development of the\u00a0 project:<\/p>\n