Erasmus Student Network (ESN) participated in the 10th Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Regional Forum, which took place in Barcelona from the 22nd to the 28th of November, reinforcing its commitment to cooperation, youth engagement and mobility across the Euro-Mediterranean region. The Forum brought together institutions, policymakers and civil society organisations from both shores to discuss how shared challenges can be addressed through stronger, more coordinated regional action.
This year’s edition placed a particular emphasis on resilience, crisis response and the role of education. ESN contributed to these conversations by highlighting the perspectives and needs of students, especially those affected by conflict and restricted educational pathways, while also underlining the crucial role of cooperation and internationalisation as key drivers of more inclusive and resilient higher education systems. By showcasing how cross-border partnerships, academic exchanges and joint programmes can open up learning opportunities even in times of instability, ESN stressed that international cooperation is not only a tool for mobility, but a lever to reduce inequalities and support the long-term recovery of higher education in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Renewing the UfM–ESN Memorandum of Understanding
This renewal comes at a particularly symbolic moment, as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process and the launch of the new Pact for the Mediterranean, marking a renewed commitment to regional cooperation and shared prosperity. ESN and the UfM have already built a strong track record of collaboration, grounded in a first Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019, and this new agreement consolidates and deepens that partnership for the years ahead.
A key milestone of this year’s Forum was the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ESN and the UfM. This renewed agreement strengthens a long-standing partnership and sets the framework for three more years of joint action in the fields of youth participation, academic mobility and intercultural understanding across the Mediterranean.
Through this commitment, ESN and the UfM will continue working together to:
- create more inclusive and resilient mobility opportunities,
- promote youth involvement in regional decision-making,
- foster dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding among Mediterranean communities,
- support initiatives that empower students as drivers of positive change.
Through the renewed MoU, ongoing advocacy and active involvement in regional dialogues, ESN remains committed to building a Mediterranean region where students, youth and communities can thrive through cooperation, mobility and mutual understanding.
ESN’s Contribution to the Higher Education and Research Recovery Discussions
As part of the UfM Regional Forum’s side events, ESN participated in the thematic roundtable “Bridging Knowledge in Crisis: Regional Cooperation for Higher Education and Research Recovery”. This session gathered key voices from universities, regional networks, national authorities and experts from crisis-affected areas, including representatives from Syria, Palestine, Libya, Lebanon and Euro-Mediterranean institutions.
Representing ESN, Emna Memmi, Liaison Officer for Africa and the Middle East, presented our research on international education in conflict-affected environments, focusing in particular on the case of Gaza since October 2023. The paper analyses how mobility, academic cooperation and research continuity can serve as instruments of resilience for students and institutions exposed to crisis. It also formulates policy pathways to safeguard academic futures during prolonged instability.
The roundtable underscored three shared priorities across the region:
- Enabling academic continuity and mobility during crises, supported by regional safety nets.
- Strengthening institutional cooperation to facilitate long-term recovery of higher education systems.
- Institutionalising mechanisms for crisis-responsive research collaboration, data sharing and coordinated action.
The discussion highlighted the urgency of embedding resilience frameworks within higher education policies and confirmed the crucial role of youth-led and student-led organisations in keeping academic cooperation active even in the most challenging contexts.
In addition to its participation in the roundtable, ESN shared its recent reaction policy paper on the new Pact for the Mediterranean. The contribution outlines how the Pact can strengthen youth participation, mobility and inclusive cooperation across the region — a priority that aligns closely with ESN’s mission and its renewed partnership with the UfM.
ESN remains committed to advancing meaningful cooperation across the Mediterranean, ensuring that students and young people are empowered to contribute to more connected, resilient and inclusive societies. Through continued engagement with regional partners and evidence-based advocacy, the organisation will keep working to strengthen educational opportunities, support youth in crisis-affected areas and promote dialogue as a foundation for lasting understanding and shared progress.
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