It is with deep sadness that we say farewell to Sofia Corradi, the creator of the Erasmus programme and a pioneer of European student mobility.
Corradi, who passed away in Rome at the age of 91, was widely known as the “Mother of Erasmus”. Through her vision, she transformed the way Europe understands international education and cross-border learning.
Sofia Corradi’s Revolutionary Idea
Sofia Corradi’s insight emerged from a personal experience.
After graduating with honours in Law from Sapienza University of Rome, she received a Fulbright scholarship to study Comparative Law in the United States. However, when she returned to Italy, she discovered that the examinations she had completed abroad would not be recognized by the Italian university system. That obstacle became the driving force behind a dream: creating a system that would allow European students to study abroad without facing academic barriers.
In 1969, Sofia Corradi drafted a memorandum proposing that university experiences completed abroad should be included and recognized within students’ academic programmes.
For Corradi, encouraging minds to circulate across borders meant promoting peace and building a shared European consciousness.
It was a visionary idea, conceived during the Cold War, that would eventually change the history of education.
What Is the Erasmus Programme and How Has It Evolved?
Today, the Erasmus programme is one of the most recognizable symbols of the European Union, promoting international mobility and cooperation across the continent.
Officially launched in 1987, the programme has enabled millions of students and educators to take part in learning and training experiences in other European countries.
Its name pays tribute to Erasmus of Rotterdam, the sixteenth-century humanist who became a symbol of knowledge without borders.
Erasmus is also an acronym for “European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students”.
Over the years, the programme has significantly expanded its scope. What began primarily as a university mobility initiative now includes traineeships, vocational education and training, professional development, youth activities and sport.
Despite this evolution, the programme has always preserved the original spirit of Sofia Corradi’s vision: bringing people and cultures together through education.
Sofia Corradi’s Legacy
Thanks to the determination of one woman and her belief in culture as a powerful instrument for unity, millions of young Europeans have been able to discover new countries, languages and perspectives.
Sofia Corradi’s dream continues to live every time a student leaves their home country to take part in an Erasmus experience.
Her legacy can be found in a Europe that is more open, more aware and more united through education, mobility and cultural exchange.
Are you part of a school, educational institution or European organization interested in joining an Erasmus+ training experience in Italy?
Contact us: together we will identify the most suitable course for your staff, based on your educational goals and Erasmus+ mobility plan. At Paidea, we support you throughout the entire journey, combining practical training, innovative methodologies and a complete learning experience in Naples.