Statement on the Financial Perspectives
for the years 2007 to 2013

Preamble

ESIB - the National Unions of Students in Europe is the umbrella organisation of 45 national
unions of students from 34 countries and through these members represents over 10 million
students. The aim of ESIB is to represent and promote the educational, social, economic and
cultural interests of students at a European level towards all relevant bodies and in particular the
European Union, Council of Europe and UNESCO.

ESIB's opinion on the matter

ESIB supports the decision by the European Parliament to reject the budget for 2007 to 2013
proposed by the European Council.

ESIB is deeply concerned that an increase of less than 1% in finances for education is
insufficient to properly support all processes and changes that are currently happening in the
European Education Area.

Education and research are key elements in building the future Europe of knowledge, which is
stated as one of the key priorities of the Lisbon process. Investments in education, research and
innovation should therefore not only be regarded as favourable but as of crucial importance to
the achieving of the knowledge-based society.

The mobility of students is a key measure to promote the Europe of knowledge, tolerance and
the feeling of European Citizenship. Student Mobility provides for extensive academic and
cultural exchange and experiences thus directly contributing to the growth of a European
Dimension. With ERASMUS, seen by the European Commission as one of the most successful
EU projects today, the Union has brought over one million students abroad during the last 15
years. However, ESIB strongly believes that even more students must be able to benefit from
the academic and cultural experience of studying abroad. Spending a period of study abroad
should no longer be the exception but an integral part of one’s holistic academic experience.
ESIB therefore strongly supports the goal to substantially increase the number of students
involved in ERASMUS yet we fear that targeting a larger audience without increasing the
investment in the project, might lead to a reduction of the programme’s quality.

European students want to see a clear sign that their governments believe in and fully support
the Bologna process, with particular regard to student mobility. The Bologna Process brings with
it the biggest changes most European universities have ever seen. Its proper implementation will
truly create a European Higher Education Area capable of supporting the needs of its students,
teachers and future employers.

ESIB believes that in order to achieve any of the goals stated above, the Heads of State and
Government have to support education with a lot more than just promises.

ESIB calls upon the European Council to reconsider their decision on the budget for 2007-2013
and to take measures to substantially increase the finances for education, in order to meet the
upcoming challenges. ESIB encourages the European Parliament and its committees to strive
for an improved financial situation in the budget for Education within the negotiations between
the EU institutions.