Search for European Projects

Unsere Zukunft - Europa
Start date: Jun 1, 2015, End date: Nov 30, 2015 PROJECT  FINISHED 

The project "Our Future - Europe" was set up especifically for young people aged 13 to 17 years of by partnership agreements related municipalities Market Weidenberg (Germany), Plouhinec (France), Smrzovka (Czech Republic) and Juchnowiec Koszielny (Poland). Unlike young people in big cities, these young people, mainly coming from rural areas, feature less points of contact with other languages and cultures and barely know mates of their age who speak languages other than their own. The attitude of these young people is often characterized by ignorance and prejudice. Looking at this background, it was particularly valuable that the young people in former international youth-meetings (2014 Juchnowiec, 2013 Plouhinec) had expressed their desire to maintain the relationship of each other and had asked for possibilities of a longer stay in foreign regions. This was the project’s main aspect: The Youth Exchange was led by the international understanding and the EU's objectives, to experience a peaceful coexistence and to develop a European citizenship. It had the objective that young people meet and get further insight into the lives of young people in the partner municipalities. By the intercultural meeting and joint actions they could reduce their prejudices. They extended their language skills, experienced an international community and were thus able to create a European identity. Improving job opportunities were triggered by visits of internationally acting companies. A visit to the brewery Maisel, an internationally active company placed a link between political information and the practical application of European freedom. Here, as well as when visiting the University of Bayreuth the youth was taught that it is also worthwhile for their own life and career, to align themselves internationally. By practice examples and in discussion with the lecturers the opportunities were pointed out. Discussion of political issues and the active participation of civil society have been created by meetings and discussions with politicians of the region. The mayor of the host community and the youth commissioner of Weidenberg focused on youth policy and the community’s offers at the moment. The visit of Landratsamt Bayreuth with welcome and roundtable led by Landrat Mr Herrmann Hübner and a meeting with the MPs Mr Hartmut Koschyk were very important program aspects to broaden the perspective and to become familiar with political issues. Both meetings encouraged the young people to discuss international relations and economic policy and cross-border projects. Moreover, the youth saw themselves confronted with the realities of the partner municipalities and were informed about opportunities for active participation. In the long term the involvement of young people shall also strengthen the existing community partnerships, identify opportunities to take part in volunteer work and thus secure their active persistence. To realize these goals, the organizers of Weidenberg’s international youth meeting focused primarily on language animation, presentation of the respective countries and regions by the young people themselves as well as sports and leisure activities. By reflecting the day all night and international presentation of the results captured on flip chart the youth realized their own responsibility and the sustainability of their actions. The great achievement of European integration and the peace on the European continent, as well as personal perspectives related have been possible after the end of World War II. The historical dimension and the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II were discussed by visiting the Documentation Center in Nuremberg and the subsequent workup. It's about the European future that we want and need to play an active role in as European citizens. Political participation and civic engagement is more necessary than ever and must be increased. The sustainability of the project was also given by setting up a blog, in which young people daily documented their experiences. This blog has been conducted by the French supervisor, so that a greater number of young people and their families came into contact with the subject. Finally, the participants of the exchange were given a T-shirt bearing the logo of the GPV Weidenberg e.V., the logo of the four partner municipalities involved and the Erasmus + Logo.

Looking for a partnership?
Have a look at
Ma Région Sud!
https://maregionsud.up2europe.eu

Coordinator

Details

3 Partners Participants