ROLUL PROGRAMULUI ERASMUS+ ÎN FORMAREA UNEI IDENTITĂȚI EUROPENE

Abstract

It is without a doubt that the European continent has a rich history which consists also in a significant number of conflicts between the diverse national, regional and ethnic groups currently inhabiting its territories. The historical events which shaped the modern-day European continent create a unique blend shared across its nations. Clearly, the significant influence of the European Union in the region plays a role in shaping the perceptions of community and identity in such a multicultural environment as the European continent. Multiculturalism and collaboration are the directions in which the Union is leading the European identity. In this regard, it is important to carve out the characteristics which make one to perceive themselves as European first, rather than associating with their nationality. Education as the means to multiculturalism can have a central role in creating such identities and fostering the sentiment of appartenance to an international European community. As the most important means of influencing the educational sphere in the European Union and beyond, the Erasmus+ Program, through its mobilities, has most probably an important role in forming and fostering perceptions amongst participants. We are aiming through this article to review the ideas which characterize what it means to be European, which are the elements defining the European identity and what is the role the Erasmus+ Program in creating and fostering such identity

Keywords

• european identity
• european union
• erasmus+ program
• multiculturalism