From 16–19 April 2026, ASEF took part in the Erasmus Generation Meeting (EGM) in Split, Croatia, the fifth edition of Europe’s largest student-led conference on the internationalisation of higher education and student mobility. Bringing together Erasmus+ alumni, student representatives, higher education institutions and policy stakeholders from across Europe and beyond, EGM once again provided a vibrant platform to discuss how mobility shapes skills, careers and societies. This year’s meeting focused on the theme “Shaping Skills through Student Mobility”, highlighting the role of student engagement and volunteering in building competences for the future.
Against this backdrop, ASEF contributed to a series of sessions that explored how international mobility can foster intercultural leadership, future-oriented competences and cooperation across borders. Building on ASEF’s work at the intersection of youth leadership, higher education and Asia–Europe relations, the activities invited participants to reflect on mobility not only as a programme, but as a lived learning environment where key skills for the 21st century are developed.
Mobility for Building Intercultural Leadership Skills
In the session “Mobility for Building Intercultural Leadership Skills”, ASEF’s Youth Project Lead, Ms Freya CHOW-PAUL, spoke about how mobility and international experiences can serve as a training ground for inclusive and adaptive leadership. Her presentation explored intercultural leadership skills as key takeaways for the 100+ youth participants – reflecting on aspects such as stereotypes and bias; agreeing to disagree; and staying curious.
Mobility as a Classroom: Learning Skills for the Future
Co-facilitated with Ms Hazal SATKIN, Liaison Officer for Asia at the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), the workshop “Mobility as a Classroom: Learning Skills for the Future” invited participants to view their mobility pathways as dynamic learning ecosystems. Linking to EGM’s focus on skills development, the session examined how mobility experiences help students build transversal competences such as problem solving, intercultural communication and futures thinking. Participants explored different scenarios they might face in intercultural student & volunteering and discuss what skills they would want to strengthen for their future mobility and intercultural experiences.
Cooperation Across Borders: A Life Skill
In the session “Cooperation across Borders: A Life Skill”, ASEF was invited by Ms Martina BO, Liaison Officer for Latin America at the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), to act in a simulation game and share reflections and input on Higher Education and mobility in Asia. Participants were invited to take on the role of EU Diplomats and go to different regions around the world, bringing back to Brussels their input on what is their takeaways are from each region. They were then tasked to come up with a project or activity to strengthen and promote mobility in each region.
Strengthening Partnerships and Connecting Communities
Throughout EGM Split 2026, ASEF engaged with partners and stakeholders from the higher education and student mobility sector, including representatives of universities, student organisations and regional initiatives. The meeting offered an opportunity to further deepen ASEF’s collaboration with the Erasmus Student Network and connect the Erasmus Generation with opportunities under ASEF’s education and youth portfolio. In particular, ASEF highlighted its work on youth leadership and mobility between Asia and Europe, and invited participants to follow upcoming activities under the ASEF Education (ASEFEdu) programme.
EGM Split 2026 reaffirmed the value of student-led spaces in shaping the future of mobility and recognising the skills and contributions of young people. ASEF looks forward to continuing its cooperation with ESN and higher education partners, and to co-creating meaningful learning experiences that connect classrooms, communities and continents. 
