Scotland’s new minister stakes out a pro‑Erasmus, pro‑EU mobility agenda

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“Be in no doubt that Scotland wants to do business with you. And that’s a really important thing for us to be saying,” he told the global international education audience gathered for the European Association for International Education (EAIE) conference in Glasgow.

Himself an Erasmus graduate, Smith said a focus for him will be the the UK – and Scotland’s – return to Erasmus+.

“That’s going to be the priority for me personally in terms of making sure that we make that work and making sure that we make that work quickly.”

He underlined the time pressure around the current Erasmus+ cycle and the upcoming multiannual financial framework.

“We’ve got one year of the current program, then of course we have the bunfight of the multi‑annual financial framework, and we need to see what that delivers.”

But he was unequivocal on the strategic value of mobility and European alignment.

“I believe, to my very soul, that the more time we’re spending in each other’s countries, working with each other, solidarity not just across the EU but wider, the better we’ll all be. I think we’ve got a real common agenda in that.”

I believe, to my very soul, that the more time we’re spending in each other’s countries, working with each other, solidarity not just across the EU but wider, the better we’ll all be. I think we’ve got a real common agenda in that Alyn Smith, Scottish government

Asked about the conference theme, ‘the rhythm of revolution’, Smith set out the wider context in which he sees his new role operating.

“The rhythm of revolution… rhythm suggests that it’s organised. I don’t think it is. We are living through a transformative moment. We know that, but it’s being driven by so many macro things that are global factors.”

He pointed to demographic shifts and a radically changed information ecosystem.

“How people get and consume their information has changed almost beyond recognition even in the last 10 years… we can collaborate and work across borders more easily than at any time in human existence. But that also throws up challenges in terms of people feeling rootless and disconnected.”

“I’m overwhelmingly positive because I think we’ll get through this… I believe passionately that you are at the forefront of sharing that information, sharing that collaboration,” he told the audience.

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