20/11/2022
Italy
participants
The main objectives of our Incontro Culturale Erasmus (ICE) are:
- promoting cultural activities and intercultural understanding;
- promoting Italian cultural heritage among international students in order for them to better get to know the lifestyle, tradition, landmarks and history of the Country they have decided to study and live in;
- allowing participants to become de facto ambassadors of Italian and European culture back in their hometown, by promoting the Erasmus+ programme and its values. The internationalisation at home is a pillar of the Erasmus Cultural Meeting, together with the improvement of social and practical integration of international students, reintegration of homecoming students and promotion of active citizenship;
- drawing the attention of participants on a more sustainable lifestyle providing them with a 4 day metro pass and by choosing accommodations and restaurants which were quite close in walking distance;
- promoting the Erasmus+ Programme and the European values, especially through communication campaigns, an opening conference and the big flag parade in the historical centre of Rome: our goal was to reach out the widest audience possible in order to show the impact of the Erasmus+ Programme on the new generations and the importance of “unity in diversity”, one of the main mottos of our organisation;
- providing our volunteers with a great opportunity to test themselves on the field, boosting skills such as intercultural competence, project management, teamwork, etc. It was indeed an excellent chance for them to put into practice what they have studied or test themselves with something they are passionate about, and gain hard and soft skills that they can spend on the labour market.
Every year, in Rome, International Students from all over Italy gather to celebrate the European values during Incontro Culturale Erasmus (Erasmus Cultural meeting), ESN Italy’s main event.
ICE is held in November, and consists in four days during which students enjoying their exchange in Italy can discover the cultural beauties of the eternal city while meeting new friends, fulfilling our mission to enrich society through multiculturality.
The 2022 edition took place from the 17th to the 20th of November, and picked the chance to talk about the European Year of Youth, as well as celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus programme, during its opening conference, held on the first morning of the event in Sala Zuccari Palazzo Giustiniani, the seat of the Italian Senate.
The conference was divided in two main topics: “The Erasmus programme and international mobility” and “Institutional Collaborations in the third sector”, and had speeches from:
- Juan Rayón Gonzales - President of ESN AISBL
- Vittorio Gattari - Counselor for European Cooperation and Mobility of CNG
- Sara Pagliai - Coordinator for Agenzia Erasmus+ INDIRE
- Tiziana Lippiello - Delegate for international for CRUI and Rector of the University of Venezia
- Serena Ţenea - Liaison Officer for garagErasmus
On November 17 (Thursday), in the morning, the opening conference of the Event was held in Sala Zuccari, in the Italian Senate, in the presence of institutions, the press and representatives of some of ESN Italia's partners: this focused on two very important anniversaries for our Network that fall in 2022, namely the European Year of Youth and the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus programme. There has been no shortage of an introduction on the commitment, the values carried forward by ESN Italy and its Members, which align with the European principles of solidarity, culture and unity in diversity, of which we have been spokespeople for over 30 years..
An afternoon cultural program and convivial activities during the evening was then organized for the Sections attending the pre-ICE.
On November 18 (Friday), Sections arrived in the morning. Then, after the moment of welcoming the participants and collecting the required documentation, the guided tour will be organized, which will allow the students to appreciate the immense historical and artistic heritage of the Eternal City. During the evening, a museum tour at GNAM is scheduled.
On Nov. 19 (Saturday), they are scheduled to visit the Vatican Museums, the Bonaparte Palace for the Van Gogh exhibition, the Baths of Diocletio and the Chiostro del Bramante for the "Crazy" exhibition. Wanting to maintain the right flexibility, both cultural offerings and City Tours can be organized on both days, trying to meet the needs of the Sections.
In the afternoon, the usual and popular Flag Parade will be held, a procession on a defined and planned route that will cross the streets of the center of our Capital starting from Piazza dell'Esquilino to the vicinity of the Altare della Patria, allowing students
