Call for continued participation in study programme
THE Welshman who developed a study programme which has helped millions of students study in European countries has urged the Welsh Government to secure the continuing participation of UK students in it.
Hywel Ceri Jones, a former senior director of the European Commission, told an event at the Senedd that the Erasmus programme should continue.
Dr Jones said that the stories of former Erasmus students from all over the world confirmed how it can change their lives and careers.
But he said: “There is a risk that within the UK, we fail to realise fully the formidable challenge of replacing all the policies and programmes embraced under Erasmus+, if we were to exit from them, precisely at the point at which they will be given even greater strategic EU priority and funding throughout the 2020s.
“It is difficult nevertheless to avoid thinking of the ‘rogue elephant in the room’ with Brexit raising persisting, troubling uncertainties about the future of co-operation in so many policy spheres which we now enjoy through our membership of the EU.
“If in the end the UK were to confirm exit from the EU, which I fervently hope will not be the case, the Welsh authorities will have a massive mountain to climb if it has to replace the range of European and international partnerships to help ensure that our young people at all levels are equipped to succeed in our globalised and globalising world.
“At this critical point in the negotiations, and in the persisting atmosphere of lack of clarity on the future, the Welsh Assembly and Government should urgently affirm once again the strategic value Wales attaches to continuing full participation in both Erasmus+ and Horizon 20/20 as necessary complements to continuing membership of the EU’s internal market.”
Dr Jones said by 2020 the Erasmus+ programme will have involved over nine million people in all – students, apprentices, youth, volunteers and staff.
A Welsh Government spokesman responded: “Our Brexit White Paper clearly set out our belief that Wales should continue to be part of programmes such as Erasmus and Horizon 2020 which have both brought significant benefits to Wales.
“We want to see the arrangements which enable EU students to study at UK institutions, and vice-versa, to continue when the UK is outside the EU. Our universities work with counterparts across the EU and the exchange of students is a key part of Wales being an outward looking nation.
“Wales’ scientific and research community must not be left isolated from our close European partners and we must continue to be part of EU-led research programmes such as Horizon 2020.
“We have made our views clear to the UK Government and pressed them for assurances that current levels of investment and involvement in the likes of Horizon 2020 continue alongside the free movement of researchers.
“Science, research and innovation are hugely important to Wales and we do not want to see our universities and businesses cut off from vital funding, see an exodus of researchers or be unable to attract talent from across the world.
“Wales remains open, outward facing and international in outlook and Brexit will not change that.”