The 25th Edition of the AEC International Relations Coordinators’ Meeting
The Great Mobility Compass
Exploration, Navigation, and Direction in the Future of Internationalisation
📍 Budapest, Liszt Academy of Music
📅 17–20 September 2025
In September 2025, the AEC will celebrate a major milestone: the 25th edition of its Annual International Relations Coordinators (IRC) Meeting. This special edition, taking place at the iconic Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest from 17 to 20 September, is set to be an inspiring and forward-looking gathering under the theme “The Great Mobility Compass: Exploration, Navigation, and Direction in the Future of Internationalisation.”
As the landscape of higher music education and mobility continues to evolve, this year’s meeting invites participants to pause, reflect, and recalibrate their direction. Designed by a renewed IRC working group, the programme offers an engaging blend of technical insight, strategic dialogue, and community exchange.
A key focus will be the digitisation of Erasmus+, with dedicated technical sessions on the EASY MO system and open discussions on the future of digital tools in mobility and Erasmus Without Paper. A special session will spotlight Erasmus+ KA171 collaborations with Africa, featuring guest speaker Stella Mendonça, founder of Fundação MUSIARTE – Conservatório de Música e Arte Dramática in Maputo, Mozambique. Strategic trajectories identified by the IN.TUNE University Alliance will be also presented.
Participants will have the opportunity to discuss mobility trends in our sector based on a recent survey within the AEC community, offering valuable insights into emerging patterns and students needs. The integration of artificial intelligence in international offices will be explored, alongside practical sessions on writing and managing projects, followed by tips and tricks from experienced project evaluators.
Important human aspects of internationalisation will be addressed as well, with sessions on student well-being and power relations in mobility. The programme will also feature sessions on BIP toolkits, discussions grade conversions, Ukranian students, work placements and Erasmus+ mobility procedures, letting participants debating on controversial topics raising while dealing with international partners.
Of course, no IRC meeting would be complete without its cultural and social highlights. This year, participants will enjoy again a concert by the Erasmus Orchestra enriched by the stories told directly by the students and a scenic networking boat trip on the Danube. Networking during the conference will also benefit by a new established buddy system (with old times helping newcomers) and an ad-hoc speed dating session to meet as many comrades as possible! The conference will conclude with the much-loved tradition of sharing food and drinks from our home countries, a celebration of the diversity and solidarity that define our community.
Whether you are navigating the ever-changing currents of internationalisation or setting out on your first mobility journey, The Great Mobility Compass will help you chart your course with confidence. We look forward to welcoming you to Budapest for this special anniversary edition.
