Poland''''''''s 20 years in the EU. A springboard for cooperation in many areas

“Erasmus+ is not just an educational programme. It is a programme for building a united Europe,” said Dr. Katarzyna Miaskowska-Daszkiewicz of the Institute of Legal Sciences of the The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin during the opening lecture of the Congress of Universities and Partner Cities of Lublin, which was held as a part of the celebrations of Poland's 20th anniversary in the European Union.

“Together for Europe, Together for Science,” was the motto of the Congress of Universities and Partner Cities of Lublin held at the Lublin Conference Centre.

The participants discussed the role of university integration in the context of the Erasmus+ programme, which aims at student and academic exchanges and cooperation between universities from all EU member states.

“This programme has become a springboard for cooperation in the fields of education, science, cultural exchange, freedom of thought and opinion,” said Prof. Beata Piskorska, Professor of The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Vice-Rector for Students and Internationalisation.

Dr. Katarzyna Miaskowska-Daszkiewicz of the Institute of Legal Sciences of The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin has similar opinion. She recalled that already at the time of the conception of the creation of the European Union, its creators understood that a true Union cannot rely solely on economic solutions. “The real spirit of the European Community requires reaching to deeper levels and exchanging experiences also through scientific exchange programmes. Universities as centres of academic and knowledge exchange were invited to build this vision. Moreover, Erasmus+ has become a bridge between countries, cultures and universities,” stressed Dr. Katarzyna Miaskowska-Daszkiewicz. She added that Erasmus+ is not just an educational programme. “It is a programme for building a Europe that is inclusive and united. It's a programme that allows knowledge to have no borders and invites everyone who wants to participate in developing understanding between cultures, exchange of knowledge and innovative ideas. I believe that this programme is at the heart of European integration, because the history of Erasmus+ programme is the history of Europe and the European Union,” she noted.
Among the guests at the congress was Krzysztof Komorski, voivode of Lublin, who recalled the role of European integration in developing Lublin's academia. “The quality of competence-building and the number of tools has clearly changed. Today, people from all over the world study in Lublin, because we understand that we are only able to develop if we have the chance to meet with a different point of view, other cultures and a different approach,” the Lublin voivode said.

On the other hand, Lublin Voivodship Board member Prof. Marcin Szewczak, Professor of The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin emphasized the importance of international academic integration in the context of the Three Seas University Network and the European Capital of Culture, which Lublin will become in 2029. “These are important elements in deepening scientific and research cooperation, but we must also remember that universities make a major contribution to shaping Lublin's cultural potential,” Prof. Marcin Szewczak noted.

The congress also featured a panel called “Science as a driving force for social and economic development in the European Union - success through cooperation. Discussion based on experience in Erasmus programme”

Rev. Prof. Ante Crncević, Vice-Rector of the Croatian Catholic University, emphasized during this debate that after Croatia became a member of the EU there was a process of transformation of higher education in the country. “New private and state universities were established, new fields of study appeared, the level of internationalisation increased, and the mobility of staff and students increased. All this has had a positive impact on the level of education in our country and has opened up new opportunities for our development,” argued Rev. Prof. Ante Crncević.

A similar process has occurred in Lithuania, as mentioned by Prof. Saulius Spurga, Vice-Rector of Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius. On the one hand, we cooperate with universities from all over the European Union, but on the other hand we have to compete with them. That's why it's important to focus on the quality of education,” said Prof. Saulius Spurga.

Congress participants solemnly signed a list of good practices that emerged from the panel discussions, which should be the basis for the functioning of universities in a united Europe. Among them were: increasing academic mobility and international exchange, supporting students' civic activity, promoting diversity and integration, and supporting young leaders.

Also, during the congress, the film “From Lublin to Dublin - 20 years of Erasmus programme” directed by Damian Bieniek from the Academy of Modern Media and Communication of the Catholic University of Lublin was presented. Meanwhile, the culmination of the event was an evening concert at the Lublin Philharmonic Hall, during which the band “21 gram” and Michał Szczygieł performed.