The European Union : A Legacy Of Peace And Growth
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The European Union (EU) is an institution with a rich history, founded in the aftermath of
World War II, and has since grown into a global economic powerhouse. Its origins can be
traced back to a modest group of six nations: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg,
and the Netherlands.
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In the early 21st century, the EU expanded its reach, encompassing not only Western Europe
but also Central and Eastern Europe. Presently, it boasts a diverse membership of 27
countries, with an additional 19 nations joining its ranks. These include Austria, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland,
Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
The EU, bound by a series of treaties, has become a cornerstone of cooperation and a symbol
of enduring peace.
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The Erasmus Programme, initiated in 1987, is a student exchange initiative supported by the
European Union. Its latest incarnation, Erasmus+, launched in January 2014, unifies the EU's
various education, training, youth, and sport initiatives.
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Erasmus+ is carefully designed to foster lifelong learning, promoting the educational,
professional, and personal growth of individuals across Europe and beyond. It plays a
pivotal role in promoting sustainable economic growth, creating high-quality job
opportunities, enhancing social cohesion, fostering innovation, and strengthening the sense
of European identity and active citizenship. This program serves as a crucial instrument in
shaping a European Education Area, facilitating the implementation of European strategic
cooperation in education and training, and contributing to sector-specific agendas.
Additionally, it plays a significant role in advancing youth policy cooperation within the
framework of the European Union Youth Strategy 2019-2027 and bolstering the European
dimension in sports.
Learn more about how BV(DU) aligns with the values and missions of the European Union on our
website.