EARLALL congratulates SwissCore on 30 years of presence in Brussels
04/09/2025
On 3 September 2025, SwissCore celebrated its 30th anniversary in Brussels, marking three decades of supporting dialogue, cooperation, and partnerships between Switzerland and the European Union in the fields of education, research, and innovation. EARLALL was honoured to be invited to this milestone event and warmly congratulates SwissCore for its continued commitment to strengthening European collaboration.
The programme opened with words of welcome by Laurin Reding, Head of Office at SwissCore, followed by an opening speech from Martina Hirayama, Swiss State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation. She highlighted Switzerland’s strong engagement in European cooperation, positioning education and knowledge as cornerstones of mutual growth.
The celebratory keynote address by Marc Lemaître, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, underscored the importance of continental cooperation for competitiveness. He pointed out that only by standing together can Europe remain a global leader in research and innovation.
Throughout the afternoon, a series of panel discussions and video contributions illustrated how fundamental research translates into innovation, how education and research impact socioeconomic development, and how future skills will be decisive for academia, the labour market, and democracy.
A special moment came with the keynote address by Commissioner Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness at the European Commission. She stressed the value of EU-Switzerland cooperation, grounded in shared values such as a commitment to education and knowledge. She further underlined that the work of Movetia—Switzerland’s national agency for exchange and mobility and a proud EARLALL member—is a strong testimony of Switzerland’s dedication to supporting mobility.
The Commissioner emphasised that, looking ahead to the next EU funding period, Erasmus mobility should become a right for every citizen, ensuring equal opportunities for all learners. She also highlighted the need to make Europe more attractive as a hub for research and as a dynamic labour market.
Movetia, one of SwissCore’s key pillars, shared inspiring examples of how mobility contributes to personal growth, strengthens institutions, and fosters innovation. Their work stands as a concrete illustration of the positive impact that cross-border exchange has on European societies.
The day concluded with celebratory messages, a Swiss-themed walking dinner, and an official birthday gathering with SwissCore alumni, marking a festive close to an event that combined reflection, inspiration, and forward-looking dialogue.
EARLALL congratulates SwissCore once again on this anniversary and looks forward to continuing to collaborate with its members and partners to advance opportunities for learners, workers, and citizens across Europe.
