Investigation
'Green' Erasmus+ project sending students by plane
An EU-funded school programme aimed at promoting environmental awareness is sending students across Europe - by airplane.
News in Brief
- Michel to miss Strasbourg plenary due to Covid contact
- Kaczyński wanted for questions on political spying
- Blinken and Lavrov meet on Friday to discuss Ukraine
- Lobbyists had 613 meetings with MEPs on digital services act
- Breivik appeals for parole, 10 years after Norway massacre
- German chancellor takes tough stance on Russia pipeline
- MEPs keen to speed up green-transition fund for poor
- Political crimes reach two-decade high in Germany
Infographic
EU spends €71m promoting meat, despite climate goals
Meat production contributes far more to climate change than vegetables - yet a programme to promote European food allocated €71.5m in three years to pushing meat products.
Opinion
Greta is right: We need courage to change
Hundreds of thousands of people are joining Greta Thunberg on Friday for a Global Strike for Future. We can only support the appeal of these young people, who resolutely aim to forge a sustainable Europe, a sustainable planet.
MEPs demand more female candidates for top EU posts
At the same time, three male candidates for posts at institutions such as the European Central Bank, were approved by the EU parliament.
EUobserved
Schoolkid 'climate strikers' outnumber MEPs at debate
In response to the now worldwide movement of concerned school children, the EU parliament held a debate about climate change. But those pupils attending were not allowed to speak, only to listen.
Investigation
Saudis paying College of Europe to lobby MEPs
The Bruges-based College of Europe is setting up private meetings with the EU institutions for seven ambassadors plus seven high-level officials from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Opinion
Let's put women in charge of peace talks
We need a more meaningful representation of women in EU institutions and on EU's negotiation tables abroad. The most successful EU deal in the last years, the Iran deal, was brokered by women – Frederica Mogherini and Helga Schmid.
Opinion
Know your enemy
By sidelining Soviet-era graduates of Russia's most prestigious academic institution - the Moscow State Institute of International Relations - Warsaw is failing to learn a key lesson: Know Your Enemy.
Opinion
UK universities must brace for a 'no-deal' Brexit
Generations of students could lose out if the UK goes down the same path as Switzerland on the Erasmus+ student exchange scheme.
Opinion
European universities need to remain competitive
The EU must develop and implement new knowledge, and translate it into innovative solutions. Creating 20 European universities by 2024 is a good start.
'Cultural shocks' on menu for future EU education strategy
Education ministers met in Brussels to discuss the next steps of the European strategy for education.
EU wants 'entrepreneurship' in education systems
The EU Commission is setting out ideas to help youngsters to be more fit for the future job market and to develop a European identity.
Opinion
Innovation can keep EU universities ahead of the pack
With a tighter EU budget post-Brexit, universities must break down their silos, and concentrate on the 'triangle of knowledge' - education, research and innovation.
EU-Africa summit on youth met with scepticism
Civil society groups representing young people were told at the last minute they would not be able to speak at an EU-Africa summit billed to focus on youth.
At 30, 'Erasmus' eyes language skills and degree recognition
To mark the 30th anniversary of the Erasmus student exchange programme, the Commission backs French president Emmanuel Macron's ideas on bi-lingualism and mutual diploma recognition.
Infographic
Beyond Erasmus - where and why European students travel
The dream of studying abroad is one of the most tangible benefits of EU membership to many young people - but the cross-border flows in south-east Europe show a very different picture.
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Latest News
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- EU navies to hunt pirates in West Africa
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- 'Hundreds' of Russian mercenaries in Mali, EU confirms
- Euro countries start haggling on fiscal rules
- New doubts raised on tracking ads ahead of key vote
Opinion
Fighting for young people's social future
Young people in the gig economy in big cities need 'one-stop shops', as pioneered in Rotterdam, to help them access all their rights - but that requires funding.
Finance ministers are 'toughest challenge' to education policies
The European Commission is trying to convince member states to pay more attention to youth and education policies.
Brexit could 'undermine' UK's elite education status
British universities have taken the top two spots on the world university rankings, but could Brexit threaten to undermine the recent success?
EU's Roma policy struggles to produce results
Vera Jourova, the EU commissioner for justice, is seeking more "practical" solutions to address the issue of Roma integration as she begins to rework the policy and rethink its spending.
Auditors: No idea if EU's €18.3bn young farmers scheme worked
Finding a suitable successor is a problem for many ageing European farmers, but according to the European Court of Auditors it is unclear how EU funds help to address the problem.
UK's universities set 'Brexit wish list'
British academics want to guarantee residency and work rights for their EU staff, as well as "enhanced mobility opportunities" for UK and EU students, mostly by keeping British participation in EU funding programs.
EU 'rebrands' youth corps
The European Commission proposes a €341-million budget to get unemployed people into volunteering activities or traineeships that “promote solidarity” in their own countries or abroad.
EU overestimated ICT jobs gap
EU leaders said there would be almost a million ICT vacancies by 2015, and made digital skills a priority, but in reality the number of vacancies was much lower.
Threatened Budapest university calls for EU support
The head of the Central European University wants the European Commission to prevent the Hungarian government from shutting it down.
EU gives Hungary more time for 'dialogue'
The European Commission will analyse the new higher education bill and consider infringement procedures by the end of April.
Opinion
Orban’s unpatriotic attack on CEU
Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, wants to see the closure of Central European University with recent legislative changes. But his actions are truly difficult to justify when thinking as a patriot.
Thousands protest Hungary university bill
Protesters reportedly called on Hungarian president Janos Ader to veto a bill that would close down Central European University in Budapest.
Pressure mounts on Hungary over university law
EPP group leader Manfred Weber calls for the European Commission to investigate Hungary, but the centre-right party still stands by prime minster Orban in the wake of international uproar over legislation targeting the Central European University.
Anti-Soros university bill sparks protest in Budapest
Thousands gathered around the Central European University on Tuesday to protest against a legislative bill that targets it, while the US embassy and the German president expressed their support for the institution.
Fewer EU pupils being taught two foreign languages
In 2015, 58.8 percent of all EU pupils at lower secondary level were being taught two or more languages at school. A year earlier, that figure was 59.9 percent.
Opinion
A bold call for traineeship equality
The EU ombudsman's slapdown of the EU diplomatic service's unpaid internship programs offers a glimmer of hope to a future of paid internships in Europe.
