In 1987 a plan to create an extensive mobility scheme for higher education was approved by the European Community (EC). One part of this was the Erasmus programme – for students in order to provide the opportunity to spend part of their studies abroad.
In 1989 the Erasmus Bureau invited 32 former Erasmus Students for an evaluation meeting in Gent, Belgium. This meeting was a starting point for Erasmus Student Network. The problems that became obvious in the evaluation were the main tasks for the founders of ESN to work on. Behind all this stood the idea of “students helping students“, which is still the most important motto of ESN volunteers.
On 16th of October 1989, the first section using the name Erasmus Student Network, was founded in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Following that, ESN sections were founded in various European universities, and with financial support from the EC, in October, 1990 the meeting for the official founding of ESN International was organised in Copenhagen, Denmark with 49 participants from almost all member states of the EC. ESN International became a legal association. Desiree Majoor from Utrecht, Netherlands was the first president in ESN history.
By 1994 ESN already had 60 sections in 14 countries and it was growing year by year.
20 years after the creation, ESN network consists of 280 sections in 32 European countries as well as in Azerbaijan. New technology has tremendously improved collaboration between sections and frequent meetings strengthen the ties between ESN members as well as serve the possibility to exchange ideas and work together for a better future.
In September 2005, ESN established an official seat in Brussels, where now the International Board, the Secretariat, and interns are working full time.
International Board 2019/2021
-
Kostis Giannidis (President)
Kostis Giannidis is a 27-year- old active citizen, born in Crete, Greece. Currently, he is finalising his MA in Scientific Study of Religion at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Kostis discovered the world of Erasmus back in 2013, when he undertook his first exchange experience at the Durham University, United Kingdom. Before joining the Board, he was the President of the National branch of the Erasmus Student Network in Greece for two years. In addition, he has been working for the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the DG EAC (European Commission). He is now the President of Erasmus Student Network AISBL where he is responsible for advocating for the improvement of student mobility around Europe and beyond. Kostis is passionate about travelling and meeting people from different cultural backgrounds.
-
Tajana Mohnacki Vice-President
-
João Vasco Oliveira Treasurer
-
Sabina Achim Communication Manager
-
Kaspars Ābelnīca Web Project Administrator
Mission, Vision & Values
The vision and mission of the Erasmus Student Network were discussed and approved at the Annual General Meeting in Thessaloniki 2019.
Vision
By 2025, ESN will be the global network of the Erasmus Generation, committed to improving international education and providing self-development opportunities to two million young people, fostering intercultural understanding and creating positive change in society.
Mission
Enrichment of society through international students.
Values
The values of Erasmus Student Network that all members stand and work for are: unity in diversity, diversity in the unity (we all have different backgrounds, but share one common aim and goal), students helping students (we passionately commit ourselves to volunteering for the benefits of others), fun in friendship and respect (we enjoy relations based on respect), international dimension of the life (we are open-minded, mobile, like to discover and explore, to co-operate and to interact to break borders), love for Europe as an area of peace and cultural exchange (we live and benefit from the cultural richness of Europe to the utmost), openness with tolerance (we understand and accept others and learn from them), cooperation in the integration (we share an holistic view towards internationality).
