Erasmus+ Cluster Meeting and Contact-Making Seminar for Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East

Sara AMBROGIANI
Sara AMBROGIANI

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The Erasmus+ Week 2024 for Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East - Cluster and Contact Making Meeting, brought to you by the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) of the European Commission and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, on 13-14 November 2024, and online via the RingCentral virtual platform.

The event will gather Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training institutions from Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East and Europe which are active in the Erasmus+ programme or potentially interested in developing cooperation under this scheme. Participants will be joined by stakeholders involved in the implementation and promotion of the Erasmus+ programme, such as the Erasmus+ National Focal Points from both regions, Erasmus+ National AgenciesEuropean Union Delegations from the two regions, the European Commission and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency.

Erasmus+ Cluster and Contact Making Meeting (afternoon of 13 November and the morning of 14 November) 

The Cluster Meeting on the 13th and 14th of November will support and highlight the cooperation between Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East and European education actors, discussing the experience of Erasmus+ beneficiaries and inspiring potential newcomers. In doing so, the event will address the overall meeting theme of Digital in Education (explained in more detail below).

Contact-making session (afternoon of 14 November)

The half-day contact-making session will foster potential further cooperation between Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East and European stakeholders. Facilitated exercises will enable participants to meet and engage with each other, with a view to forming project partnerships. The online and in situ participants will take part in different activities, designed to make best use of their physical or online situations.

Overall theme: Digital in Education

This year’s thematic focus will be Digital in Education. Rapid digitalisation over the past decade has transformed many aspects of work and daily life. Driven by innovation and technological evolution, the digital transformation is reshaping society, the labour market and the future of work.

The education and training system is increasingly part of the digital transformation and can harness its benefits and opportunities. However, it also needs to effectively manage the risks of the digital transformation, including the risk of a digital divide where certain people - or regions - can benefit more than others, and prepare for the rapid deployment of Artificial Intelligence. The digital transformation in education is being driven by advances in connectivity, the widespread use of devices and digital applications, the need for individual flexibility and the ever-increasing demand for digital skills.

We have learned much from the COVID-19 crisis, which has heavily impacted education and training and accelerated digital change.

In line with the strategic priorities of the European Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027), the Erasmus+ programme can play a key role in supporting citizens of all ages in acquiring the digital skills and competences they need to live, learn, work, exercise their rights, be informed, access online services, communicate, critically consume, create and disseminate digital education content.

Global Gateway

Finally, the Erasmus+ programme is part of and contributes to the Global Gateway initiative. In this context, the event will focus on the necessary articulation of two of the Global Gateway's main objectives, namely “Accelerating the digital transition” and “Improving education and training”. 

The draft agenda for the event will be available shortly.