ESN Causes
Six Causes, one purpose.
The ESN Causes are the six fields where our volunteers turn international mobility into something good for society. Every activity a section organises works towards one or more of them.
What a Cause is
Something we commit to and stand up for.
ESN has a mission, a vision and a set of values. The Causes translate them into everyday work: they name the concrete fields where international students and volunteers can make a difference.
Causes are not values. Our values describe who we are and how we work together. The Causes describe where we act.
Why they exist
From our mission to the next event.
Because every section works on the same six Causes, an activity in Bari and one in Lisbon count towards the same goals, and good ideas travel across the network.
Mission
Enrichment of society through international students.
Causes
Six fields that make the mission concrete and shared by every section.
Activities
Local events, projects and campaigns, each linked to one or more Causes.
The six Causes
What each Cause covers, and what it looks like.
Culture
Sharing the heritage of the host country, from monuments and traditions to food and landscapes, and making room for international students to share their own.
In practice
- City tours and visits to museums and heritage sites
- International dinners and culture nights
- Language exchanges with local students
Education & Youth
Making education more international and making sure students and young people are treated as equal partners by universities and institutions. It also covers non-formal learning outside the classroom.
In practice
- Buddy and orientation programmes for new arrivals
- Feedback and advocacy for better mobility services
- Workshops and non-formal training
Environmental Sustainability
Reducing the environmental footprint of mobility and of our own events, and encouraging greener habits in travel and everyday life.
In practice
- Events with less plastic and proper recycling
- Clean-ups of parks, beaches and public spaces
- Promoting sustainable ways to travel
Health & Well-being
Health in a broad sense: physical, mental and social. Supporting healthy lifestyles for international students and looking after the well-being of our volunteers.
In practice
- Sports tournaments and the Erasmus Games
- Mental health awareness campaigns
- Responsible Party, on safer nights out
Skills & Employability
Helping students and volunteers build hard and soft skills, and getting the competences gained through exchange and volunteering recognised.
In practice
- Training for volunteers in leadership, communication and project management
- Career events with companies and partners
- Recognition of volunteering experience
Social Inclusion
Opening mobility to students with fewer opportunities and building real connections between international students and the local community.
In practice
- Promoting exchanges among under-represented students
- Volunteering with local associations through Social Erasmus
- Events that are accessible to everyone
Get involved
Bring a Cause
to your city.
ESN sections across Italy organise activities for every Cause. Join one, or see what the whole network is doing.