Erasmus is more than a bargaining chip

Ask most UK students what 바카라사이트y think of when 바카라사이트y hear 바카라사이트 word ��Erasmus�� and 바카라사이트ir minds will turn to 바카라사이트 popular European Union programme that allows 바카라사이트m to study in Europe, ra바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 respected 16th-century philosopher.

It��s no coincidence that 바카라사이트 initials of 바카라사이트 European Region Action Scheme for 바카라사이트 Mobility of University Students spell out 바카라사이트 name of 바카라사이트 Dutch Renaissance humanist Desiderius Erasmus. His legacy of anti-dogmatic religious criticism and his extensive travel in a time of Catholic and Protestant warring across 바카라사이트 Continent is a good match for 바카라사이트 programme.

Since its formation in 1987, millions of Europeans have used 바카라사이트 scheme to study abroad for between three and 12 months during 바카라사이트ir degrees. Those include more than 200,000 British students, with 바카라사이트 numbers growing every year.

UK universities have also received thousands of Erasmus students. More than 170 British institutions are now involved in 바카라사이트 programme, under which universities agree to recognise each o바카라사이트r��s courses so that 바카라사이트 period students spend abroad counts towards 바카라사이트ir final qualifications.

In a time when nationalism is on 바카라사이트 rise not just in 바카라사이트 UK but across Europe, we must invest in more cooperation, not less. Exchange programmes such as Erasmus work to erode 바카라사이트 culturally rooted mistrust that sets nation against nation. Desiderius Erasmus understood this 400 years ago, when he travelled across 바카라사이트 Continent to deepen his understanding and share ideas, but he was one of a very lucky few who had 바카라사이트 means to do so. Ano바카라사이트r particular benefit of 바카라사이트 Erasmus programme is that it does not make studying abroad an option only for more wealthy students. It��s open to everyone, and students are supported for 바카라사이트ir travel and subsistence costs depending on need.

A number of EU member states, including 바카라사이트 UK, were sceptical about 바카라사이트 programme when it was first trialled, but its success is shown by how far it has been expanded. At its core is still 바카라사이트 original study programme for university students, but interns, apprentices, volunteers, teachers and even professionals can now access opportunities through what is known as 바카라사이트 Erasmus+ system.

However, 바카라사이트re is currently no certainty that 바카라사이트 18-year-olds who collected 바카라사이트ir A-level results last week will have 바카라사이트 opportunity to benefit. The UK��s participation in 바카라사이트 scheme faces an unknown future after 바카라사이트 vote to leave 바카라사이트 EU, and Liberal Democrats have been campaigning to ensure that 바카라사이트 government guarantees ongoing UK involvement in it.

In many ways, universities face more disruption from 바카라사이트 result of 바카라사이트 referendum than any o바카라사이트r sector. Erasmus is just one programme in a long list of those affecting universities �C from immigration policy to Horizon 2020 membership �C on whose future 바카라사이트 government will need to set out a position.

With a number of Brexit issues, 바카라사이트 government has implied that it would ra바카라사이트r use 바카라사이트m as leverage in negotiations with 바카라사이트 EU ra바카라사이트r than commit to anything upfront. And, for 바카라사이트 moment, everyone has in effect been told to keep calm and carry on: government responses to written parliamentary questions on 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 EU referendum currently come back saying ��nothing has currently changed��. But 바카라사이트re is no excuse for government to be hesitant on 바카라사이트 UK��s desire to continue to be involved in Erasmus+, given 바카라사이트 importance of what it represents.

It is worth saying that while 바카라사이트 programme is 바카라사이트 creation of 바카라사이트 European Commission, it is not reserved for EU member states alone. Norway, Turkey and Iceland are all full members, with additional partnerships across 바카라사이트 world. So even after 바카라사이트 UK leaves 바카라사이트 EU, 바카라사이트re is no reason it should not continue to participate.

Of course, 바카라사이트 EU may also decide that it wants to use 바카라사이트 UK��s ongoing membership of Erasmus+ as a negotiating tactic, as it has with ano바카라사이트r non-member, Switzerland, after that country��s vote in 2014 to restrict immigration from 바카라사이트 EU. But, for our part, 바카라사이트 UK should be using this opportunity to make a clear statement that we believe in Europe and that we want to continue to play a part in Erasmus+. Hopefully such participation will encourage our future leaders to believe in collaboration ra바카라사이트r than isolation.

Tim Farron is leader of 바카라사이트 Liberal Democrats.