ASSEDEL had the honor to Carolina Morace, Member of the European Parliament for The Left group (GUE/NGL) who served as shadow rapporteur on the report: “A new vision for the European Universities alliances.”
The discussion focused on her contribution to the report and the next steps needed to address these four challenges:
- reduce socio-economic barriers that limit access to universities,
- bridge the gap between recent graduates and the labor market,
- address the structural barriers women face to enter the labor market,
- and ensure fair, educational, and well-regulated internships across Europe.
Beyond academics: putting people at the center
Morace explained that her work on the report aimed to ensure that the initiative does not limit itself to academic excellence, but also integrate social and human dimensions, including equality, diversity and the prevention of all forms of discrimination, including on the basis of gender, sexual identity and disability. She further emphasizes that universities play a central role to promote inclusion and reduce inequalities.
In order to ensure equal access to universities, Morace highlights the need for personalized pathways:
"Accessibility is not only economic — it is also linguistic, cultural, and digital. We must provide tools and personalized pathways to ensure that Europe truly becomes a place where every young person can build their own future, regardless of their starting conditions.”
Linking education with the labor market
To better align universities with the labor market, Morace underlines the role of the Union in supporting cooperation between universities and ethical enterprises, with a view to guaranteeing quality internships and meaningful professional training.
“We must also value transversal skills such as sustainability, active citizenship, and the conscious use of artificial intelligence — all essential competences that prepare young people not only for employment, but to be citizens of the future.”
Tackling gender inequalities
Women continue to face additional barriers in the labor market. Morace explains that solutions must already start in schools. Education systems should promote positive visions of female leadership and actively combat gender stereotypes that shape career choices. She further emphasized that European institutions have a responsibility to guarantee equal pay and ensure women’s access to decision-making roles at all levels.
A new approach for internships
Finally, regarding the new approach on traineeships, Morace summarized her vision with three key words: “Education, fairness, and dignity.”
“An internship should be an opportunity for growth, not a tool of exploitation.”
In this context, she stressed that the Union must guarantee fair pay, proper educational supervision, and full social and welfare rights for interns to ensure that internships help young people start their careers instead of leaving them in insecure or exploitative situations.
The conversation offered important insight into how the European Universities Alliances can evolve into a more inclusive and socially grounded initiative.
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