FOREWORDS by
Martin Schulz - President of the European Parliament
For some years now, the words
often associated with Europe are
crisis, austerity and unemployment.
With the growth of frustration and
without
any
hope
for
a
real
change to the current state of affairs,
the prospects of the European Union are
challenging.
These are turbulent times for
Europe. For many people in Europe
and especially for the youth, they are
hard times. Therefore it was my pleasure to hand the first prize of the youth
Charlemagne prize to the European
Students Forum AEGEE-Europe.
2
The Spanish project seeks
constructive solutions to current
problems - the loss of confidence in
the EU and the alarmingly high youth
unemployment in many Member
States.
Europe on Track connects
young people throughout Europe both
offline and online, giving them the
opportunity to express their views
and making an original contribution
to
European integration, especially to
the growth of a feeling among young
people that ‚we are Europe’.
It is for projects like this that
I am confident that Europe will be
back on track and that the European
citizens are a part of creating a Europe
that we can be proud of; a Europe
that unites all member states and
finally creates a European Identity that
we can all rely on.
Martin Schulz
President of the European Parliament
FOREWORDS from
Réka Salamon - Coordinator of Europe on Track
’Young people’s voices need to
be heard!’ - a reoccuring wake-up call
we hear everywhere these days. With
Europe on Track, AEGEE-Europe has
given the chance to young people not
only to speak up, but also to be heard.
Young people have an idealistic,
yet ever-so-powerful drive to dare to
dream the impossible is possible when
they work hard enough to make it
happen. Europe on Track is one of those
ambitious initiatives only a group of
young idealists could have come up with.
From the beginning of the planning
phase we gradually came to realise the
real potential of the project and how
’feeling European’ can be manifested in
directly connecting young people all over
Europe.
We are all coming from different
backgrounds, bear different cultural
traits, have different perspectives on
our future but one thing we have in
common; we believe in a Europe
without borders.
I feel lucky to have had the
opportunity to work with so many
amazing people and hear so many
stories and thought-provoking ideas.
The project connects all of us, has
encouraged hundreds of others and
will continue to be an inspiration for
generations to come.
Europe on Track has been the
greatest challenge and the greatest
achievement of my life so far.
Réka Salamon
Coordinator - Europe on Track project
AEGEE-Europe
3
FOREWORDS from
the Comité Directeur of AEGEE-Europe (2012/14)
Luis Alvarado Martinez, Lucille Rieux, Anna Gots, Kathrin Renner,
Pavel Zbornik, Beata Matuszka, Miguel Gallardo Albajar
AEGEE was born to connect young
Europeans with the European project,
and we have been doing so for 28 years.
We have seen the idea of Europe questioned
in some periods, while on other occasions
the European project has enjoyed a great
popularity all over Europe.
Today, however, the European project
is suffering from disaffection and a lack
of understanding in the whole continent.
There is a big distance between the European
institutions and the people they serve,
so wide that it seems unbridgeable. But
we keep believing in Europe and we keep
working with double energy to bring youth
together with Europe.
When we saw that most of the
discussions in Brussels were focused on
the Europe 2020 growth strategy, and we
realised that this big plan was not known
among our friends, our fellow students at
university, we saw it as a big opportunity to
have an impact.
The Europe on Track project was
created as our contribution to this big
strategy, spreading the message that
Europe will grow again, bigger and
better. Two teams of ambassadors travelled
sustainably all over Europe, meeting other
young Europeans and discussing the Europe
2020 strategy with young people they met.
But communication only works when
it is bidirectional, so we also asked those
young citizens about their expectations,
their hopes and the demands they would
like to address to the people that take
decisions in Brussels.
4
And
they
took
this
opportunity
to
express
their
opinions, trusting Europe on Track
as their messengers towards the
European institutions. The final
picture is positive, most of them
still believe that Europe can
provide its citizens with a better
future.
These
young
Europans,
aware of the opportunities that
Europe
offers
them
(better
education,
mobility,
protection
for their rights, a safe and clean
environment, dialogue and peace),
are entitled to revert the negative
atmosphere and start spreading
Europtimism in their societies.
EUROPE ON TRACK
wins the National Youth Competition in Spain
On 4th of March 2013, the Comité Directeur received a call from the
Spanish Youth Institute, part of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of
Spain, informing us that the Europe on Track project had been selected as Spanish Contester of the EU Charlemagne Youth Prize, and would be participating
in the Charlemagne finals in Aachen with the other 26 national winners. A few
weeks later, the official letter also arrived to the headoffice:
„Dear Luis,
The project Europe on Track was selected by the jury, who
met in Madrid on the 4th of March 2013, as Spanish winner, and
candidate for the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2013 for the
reasons states in the official minutes which are the following:
1) The project clearly fulfills the objectives of the Charlemagne Award, created for young people by young people. It has an
enourmous multiplier effect. Excellently proposed from a point of
view of citizen participation, especially of young people. Very high
quality in the presentation of the project.
2) It promotes participation and dialogue of young people, as
responsible citizens in the construction of the Europe of tomorrow.
3) It is a serious research project which motivates young people
to express their opinions in a constructive way. It promotes the
permanent debate and analysis from different angles and points of
view the common values of Europe.
4) It offers a very good example of common cooperation
between young people from different European countries, based on
volunteering and intercultural dialogue.
5) The jury wants to emphasise the originality of the project, the
very good planification, positiveness, great interest and its strong
relation to the European Year of Citizens 2013.
Once again, we would like to congratulate you sincerely.
Kind regards,
Isabel Mateo
Secretary of the Jury of the Charlemgane Award 2013 in Spain”
5
INTRODUCTION to the project
Europe on Track - Capture the future of Europe!
Where is Europe headed?
How can we sustain our present
and preserve our future?
What can young people expect
from the Europe of tomorrow?
These questions have been of
great concern for many young Europeans recently. In order to find answers,
AEGEE-Europe / European Students’
Forum launched the “Europe on Track”
project in the autumn of 2012.
Six young Europeans were
travelling around the continent by train
for one whole month, capturing young
people´s vision about their future
perspectives through photography,
videos, interviews, blogs.
The materials gathered were
compiled in a short documentary
presenting young individuals from
all over the continent, sending their
ideas and messages to politians and
decision-makers.
The “Europe on Track” project
was launched to grasp a better future
for European youth, to find solutions for
the pressing issue of the rising rate in
youth unemployment, to advocate for a
sustainable future and to promote entrepreneurship among young people.
6
“The Europe I want for the
future” is not only a topic to trigger
lively discussions; it is a call for all
young people to work on their future
together. At a time when European
integration is being questioned and
young people’s future prospects have
become hazy, AEGEE considers it
fundamental to hear the voice of the
youth in order to take their opinion, their
realities and their wishes into account
and pave the way towards reaching
the goals set for 2020 by the European
Union.
OBJECTIVES & THEMES
Explore what the European youth
want for Europe, and compare this vision
with the one proposed by the European
Commission for 2020.
* Promote unity and solidarity in Europe
among more than 5000 young people all
over Europe.
* Empower young people with promising
future visions of intercultural exchanges.
* Advocate for the engagement of young
people in decision-making processes in
order to train the aware and innovative
European youth of tomorrow.
* Bring light to the importance of nonformal educational tools and promote their
recognition in the job market.
* Shape the current state of European integration by providing young citizens the
possibility to experience the ultimate benefits of intercultural discourses.
The 6 ambassadors were promoting:
Youth Participation
Encouraging young citizens to take
ownership of their future, tackling
issues like the rising rate of youth
unemployment, active citizenship,
non-formal education and more!
Sustainability
Raising awareness on the importance
of a sustainable treatment and
preservation of our environment.
AEGEE aims to encourage all members
to contribute to green-awareness.
Entrepreneurship
Innovation and leadership skills are
crucially important to cultivate thus
young people need to be encouraged
to see self-improvement and obtaining
new skills as a life-long learning
process.
7
THE TRIP OF THE AMBASSADORS OF
EUROPE ON TRACK
In order to cover as many countries, regions and cities as possible,
the travellers were divided into two teams of three people.
Both teams left from Brussels on the 22nd November. Team Blue was
heading towards the eastern-southern areas exploring the elusive border
of the European continent, while Team Red was heading South.
When planning the journey, the coordination team aimed to set up a
route that would involve the widest range of geographical areas both in
terms of social background, economic conditions, historical roots and
cultural heritage.
8
INTRODUCING THE TRAVELLERS OF
EUROPE ON TRACK:
Team Blue
MATHIEU SOETE (27)
LEUVEN, BELGIUM
I
am
a
self-taught
sustainability
and
youth
participation expert, working as freelance trainer and
Policy Officer on Sustainability with AEGEE-Europe.
Travelling across Eastern Europe with Europe on Track
allowed me to discuss with hundreds of young people about
my passions.
“Europe on Track gave me a unique opportunity even our highly interconnected online
society cannot offer, because in the end, nothing beats a face-to-face conversation
over a local beer.”
MANUEL ARIAS (27)
MADRID, SPAIN
I’m a filmmaker, currently working at the Senate TV in Madrid and
as freelance for different companies. I heard about EoT through the
newsletter bulletin that Castilla La Mancha’s Youth Council sends
every week, and I decided to apply because it sounded very interesting. Now I know can say it was a great decision. The information
we collected is priceless and the experience, just amazing.
“Europe on Track is the necessary study and experience of the decade,created to develop a better Europe, united in progress, respecting the cultures and differences,
towards a better undestanding of each other.”
CRISTINA MANSO (26)
BURGOS, SPAIN
I studied Media and Graphic Design, and am currently
working as a freelance. Travelling around Europe meeting
people from different cultures and countries has been an
incredible experience to understand the people’s thoughts.
“Young people have good ideas to change our Europe in a prosperous Europe and they
should be listened to but I think with this project we have achieved it.”
9
INTRODUCING THE TRAVELLERS OF
EUROPE ON TRACK:
Team Red
BENJAMIN BATTKE (31)
AACHEN, GERMANY
Studied history, currently working in Crete as a rep
(travel agent or guide). I am generally a travelling person,
so Europe on Track was an awesome opportunity to even put
some content in it. Generating discussions, network links and
therefore creating our identity as Europeans.
“In times like these, with current happenings in Turkey for instance, our values and
what we fight for become obvious. And this battle is happening on different levels all
over the world, so AEGEE as well as Europe on Track should do this job as good and
effective as possible bringing a clear message. Like the content of this booklet.”
NATALIA KONDRAT (23)
TYCHY, POLAND
I’m a language student doing my Masters in Italy, Udine in
translation and cultural mediation. My passion is photography,
writing and traveling. All of them lead me to discover, understand and describe the world we live in. Europe on Track, apart
from a great adventure, was an excellent possibility to gather
opinions, fears and ideas of hundreds of young people. This has
made me more conscious, has made me learn a lot and to want
to learn even more!
„Europe on Track has given me hope that with all potential that we have being young
and motivated, we can create the Europe of our dreams.”
HËLOISE TREIS (23)
FRIBOURG, SWITZERLAND
I am studying Law in Fribourg and had the chance to
travel through six countries with Natalia and Benni to capture what young Europeans think about Europe and its future. Since I love photography and travelling, I was eager to
participate in AEGEE’s new project. It was an amazing
journey during which I met a lot of wonderful people who are
ready to tackle the many problems Europe is facing.
„Europe on Track gives a voice to young people all over Europe!”
10
INTRODUCING THE COORDINATION TEAM
PRESIDENT OF AEGEE-EUROPE
LUIS ALVARADO MARTINEZ (23)
LAS PALMAS GC, SPAIN
I studied Translation and Interpreting for Spanish, English,
French and Italian. I love travelling and getting involved in
different youth projects which create an impact in young
people and specially shift their perception and allow them to
see different points of view. I have been active in the youth
sector for the last years and Europe on Track helped me to
take this involvement to a new level.
“For me Europe on Track is a youth friendly tool to allow young people to reach
policy and decision makers. To make their visions of Europe be heard.”
COORDINATOR
RÉKA SALAMON (23)
DEBRECEN, HUNGARY
Ever since I joined AEGEE, I have discovered that the ways for
self-improvement are not necessarily tied to the framework of
formal education. When I first heard about Europe on Track,
the idea hit me how this unique opportunity for the direct
exchange of ideas and tackling current problems would be of
everyone’s mutual benefit. And soon the project was on.
„Europe on Track is the manifestation of the European ideals we as young citizens
of Europe are striving for. By the innovation and ambition of the younger generation
it became a direct channel for dialogue between the main actors of today’s society.”
COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSIBLE
ZSOFIA KOMAROMI (23)
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
I study management and marketing, and have been active
in youth organizations during the past four years. I love
working together with young people from around the
world, as it allows me not only to meet interesting and
inspiring personalities, but also to develop on both a personal
and a professional level. I joined Europe on Track in its initial
phase, and it was a great experience to contribute to this
project.
I believe that the greatest strength of Europe on Track is that it reaches out to a
very diverse group of young people, in order to make their voices heard. It’s an
opportunity for us all to shape the decisions that will impact our daily lives.”
11
INTRODUCING THE CONTENT TEAM
The Comité Directeur of AEGEE-Europe 2012/14
LUCILLE RIEUX (26)
AVIGNON, FRANCE
I finished my studies in Political Sciences and Cultural Management and I am involved in AEGEE for the last 4 years. It has
been an incredible experience for me to be able to contribute and be active in the youth field. Personally, I feel European
thanks to my experience through AEGEE, which has enabled me
to meet people from other countries, to understand different
perspectives and to become more interested in European issues.
“For me Europe on Track has been an incredible experience to make the voice of young
people all over Europe more heard, to let them share their own perspective and make
Europe move forward.”
ANNA GOTS (25)
KYIV, UKRAINE
I studied Engineering, but ended up working full-time for AEGEE,
since I realised that youth work - being engaged in different
projects, developing skills, growing personally, meeting new
people and new countries - can enrich one much more in the
short-run than any other occupation. And AEGEE just happen
to contain all the aforementioned components and keep adding
new ones day by day - you can always find new challenges here!
“Europe on Track for me is creative and dynamic tool to reach young people through
young people, to gather their opinions from all over Europe and to bring them to the
heart of Europe where decisions are being taken”
BEATA MATUSZKA (24)
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
I study International Business and Economics and with AEGEE I
have not only experienced the different aspects of a diverse and
colourful Europe, but I also splashed into the world of possibilities, where the driving force of positive change is us, the young
people. I want to bring out the full potential of each and every
member in order to bring not just our lives but also the whole
Europe to a higher level.
“Europe on Track brought the opportunity to the young people to let their voice and
opinion to be heard regarding the Europe they envision for 2020. The project also gave
an exceptional possibility to connect young people throughout Europe.”
12
KATHRIN RENNER (23)
FÜRTH, GERMANY
I study European Studies in Passau. It is shocking to see that
even in this field of studies, closely related to the European
Institutions, Brussels seems to be something far away,
unreachable. With AEGEE, Europe became my reality, very close
and accessible, and much more than just the EU. At the same
time, reaching out to policy makers in Brussels and following
processes going on there became natural. AEGEE really made
Europe my home.
“For me Europe on Track is a tool for young people to be heard and to have their own
say in the hardly graspable process of European integration.”
PAVEL ZBORNIK (26)
PROTIVIN, CZECH REPUBLIC
I finished my studies in Electrical Engineering and Management
and also worked at the Eurodesk office in the Czech Republic
which played a significant role in my decision to work as a full time
volunteer in AEGEE after almost 3 years of active membership.
A project like this has its own unique spirit and is creative space
for new ideas for implementation. The idea was raised during a
random discussion, was implemented within a few weeks’ time
and ended up winning the Charlamange Youth Price in 2013.
“I see Europe on Track as win-win situation for each parties of the project; young
people are able to express their thoughts, the travellers work as messengers having a
life-time travel experience and policy makers get a variety of points of view.”
MIGUEL GALLARDO ALBAJAR (34)
ALICANTE, SPAIN
I have left my PhD on biodiversity management aside for a while because I am passionate about making Europe a better place. This means taking care of the environment and promote
sustainability, but also creating a space for people, where citizens
are the most important. There is a great potential in the European youth and when we put our ideas to work, great things can
happen. We just need to be listened to.
“For me Europe on Track is a never-ending journey through kilometers and countries
to find the voice of youth and bring it to the European Union.”
13
INTERRAIL.EU
”Proud to be a sponsor of the Europe on Track project”
We are happy to sponsor a
project that supports the diversity of
multiculturalism in Europe. InterRail.eu
is the online store for students to get
their European rail passes. With a pass
valid in 30 European countries there is
always a part of Europe waiting for you
to be explore.
Whether
you
want
to
explore only one country with our One
Country passes or you want to visit
several countries with the Global pass,
an InterRail pass gives you the freedom
and ease to hop on and hop off almost
every European train by just showing
your InterRail pass.
Haven’t got a taste of all
cultures in Europe? Take a look at
www.interrail.eu to plan your next
European adventure!
InterRail passes are only for
students who are living in Europe for
more than 6 months. For students
who live outside Europe we have the
Eurail pass.
InterRail.eu is part of the
Eurail.Com company, specialized in online sales of InterRail and Eurail passes.
InterRail.eu is the joint InterRail
webshop of 32 European railway companies. We sell InterRail passes online to
customers from all over Europe.
The mission of InterRail.eu is to
sell InterRail passes online at the lowest
possible prices, while still providing
excellent service. We offer free delivery
of InterRail passes throughout Europe.
We don’t charge any extra booking
or administrative fees and there is no
minimum order value.
Visit the website for further information.
www.eurail.com
14
THE JOURNEY
The Routes of Team Red and Team Blue
The project was launched from BRUSSELS,
home for many European institutions and one of
the initiators of the idea of European integration.
The travellers, the coordination team and the
Comité Directeur held a live meeting in the headoffice, discussing all aspects of the project
before the official launch on 22nd November.
Earlier that month, AEGEE-Europe held a
press conference in the European Parliament
announcing the project and its aims and
objectives. The event was hosted by MEP
Amelia Andersdotter and several other MEPs
had also attended to express their support.
[http://www.noticiestgn.tv/videos/show/337]
LEUVEN
Team Blue and Team Red travelled together
to an AEGEE Network Meeting in Leuven,
where Europe on Track was presented to a
group of 30 people. Participants could give feedback and suggestions, which practice was kept
throughout the journey developping the
project more with each stop the travellers
had made.
RECOMMENDATION ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
“In times of crisis you cannot only cut funds from everywhere, you need innovation and
investment. Obviously austerity is not working, so I would really like to see growth and innovation
in the priorities of the Governments from now on”. By Dennis (The Netherlands)
15
THE JOURNEY
TEAM RED
LONDON
At the first stop Team Red was asking dozens
of students about the British education
system and the UK’s love-hate political
position towards the European Union.
PARIS
Meeting organised by AEGEE-Paris where
several other youth NGOs were present to
express their concerns about the rising rate
of youth unemployment in Europe.
FRIBOURG
Meeting the members pf AEGEE-Fribourg,
having thematic discussions about the
recognition and practical use of non-formal
educational tools.
NAPLES
Presenting at a local youth conference
organised by AEGEE-Napoli where participants
were discussing their concerns about their
future employment and how the recognition
of volunteering should be put more forward.
RECOMMENDATION ON YOUTH PARTICIPATION AND VOLUNTEERING:
“Countries must develop mechanism and ways to recognize and validate all the skills and
learning which young people get in the activities outside the formal education system.
By doing this, a smooth transition to the job market can be ensured”. By Léa (France)
16
THE JOURNEY
TEAM RED
BOLOGNA
Group discussions about local, regional and
national identity vs. European integration
with the university students of Bologna. Once
again the issue of future prospects and
employment was also on the table.
GENOVA
More and more Italians are raising their voice
for a change in the system which - according
to them - has not been providing fair opportunities and positive prospects for their future
employment and education.
LYON
Team Red attended AEGEE-Lyon’s ”Lyon by
Lights” event organised in cooperation with
Esprit Critique, where the issue of ’Flexibility
in the job market’ and the Youth Guarantee
scheme were in-depth evaluated.
TOULOUSE
Participants of the discussions with AEGEEToulouse were mainly concerned about the
situation of unpaid internships and how
the exploitation of young workers has to
be changed.
RECOMMENDATION ON YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT:
”The success of the system like the Youth Guarantee will only come depending on how
willing national authorities are to consult the implementation process with National Youth
Councils, the civil society and mostly with young people whom it is going to affect the
most.” By Nicola (Italy)
17
THE JOURNEY
TEAM RED
BILBAO
Visiting the Technical University of
Bilbao, the topics of discussion were
entrepreneurship and the extremely high
youth unemployment rate. The participants
acknowledged
the
difficult
situation
and expressed their fear that the crisis
might hit this region as bad as the other
parts of Spain.
RECOMMENDATION ON SUPPORTING THE YOUTH:
“By working on a better representational system in the national governments, young people
can ensure their ideas are going to be taken into account. After all, innovations and development cannot happen without proper support. This is why young entrepreneurs should be put
first and foremost in the line of help.” By Alberto (Spain)
”Young people lack a lot of information on how the EU
works, what is the EU 2020 strategy and what impact
the EU has in their lives. Much more information sould
be available written in a youth friendly and understandable way as well as communicated through youth
friendly channels.” By Lorena
RECOMMENDATION ON SUPPORTING THE YOUTH II:
“National Youth Councils and International Youth NGOs are the legitimate platforms for
young people in their countries to make their voices reach policy makers while they develop
themselves and lean how to become active and tolerant citizens”. By Ricardo (Spain)
RECOMMENDATION ON THE YOUTH GUARANTEE:
“Young people and youth leaders must be consulted in each country when developping the
Youth Guarantees and how they will be implemented. We in youth organizations, have been
elected by young people and therefore know what their exact needs are. This message we
want forward to the authorities for further actions to take place”. By Marcos (Spain)
18
THE FINAL STOP
TEAM RED
MADRID
After a discussion with dozens of members of
AEGEE-Madrid, Team Red had a meeting with
the president of the Spanish Youth Council and a
representative of a Spanish organisation for
LGBT-Rights. They both stressed the difficult
situation youth organisations are facing and
were more than willing to explain the situation in
detailed interviews.
RECOMMENDATION ON YOUTH PARTICIPATION:
“It is very hard to see how the European policies affect me
in my daily life and what do I get in return if I participate.
If it doesn’t change anything in my life why should I vote
or participate, why should I lose my time? It won’t change
anything”. By Sergió
”The European Union, its functioning and its impact on
our lives should be included in the education system to
see that every young person has the chance to educate
themselves about the EU and learn more about EU
projects from early stages.” By Roberto
RECOMMENDATION ON SUPPORTING THE YOUTH IV:
”Young people need spaces and platforms to participate fully in society and voice
their opinions. The role of National Youth Councils and International non-governmental
organizations is fundamental and therefore institutional support must be provided for the
youth civil society sector who empowers young people to take an active stand in society.”
By Ricardo
RECOMMENDATION ON THE YOUTH GUARANTEE II:
”The Youth Guarantee should count on more funds in order to have a real impact in the
members states of the European Union, especially those in the South. Amounts like the
ones suggested by the International Labour Organization (ILO) of 21 billion should be
considered to eradicate the problem of Youth Unemployment in Europe.” By Marcos
19
THE JOURNEY
TEAM BLUE
TILBURG
While visiting the university, Team Blue met
students from various backgrounds with
contrasting opinions regarding European
integration and East-West development.
ENSCHEDE
United States of Europe by 2020? This and similar questions were tackled during Team Blue’s
stay in Enschede engaging members of one of
the biggest AEGEE locals, AEGEE-Enschede.
BERLIN
During Team Blue’s meeting with the members of AEGEE-Berlin, they learn that the field
of sustainability and sustainable growth are
still rather unexplicable phenomena.
KATOWICE
Team Blue attended the ’Against Hate-Speech
Online’ event organised by AEGEE-Katowice
adding the topic of social entrepreneurship to
the repertoire of the programme of the event.
RECOMMENDATION ON ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING:
“The solutions come by providing the most inspiring environment for young people. Bring
them close to other people who have already created start-ups and who have succeeded.
Creating for example incubators at Universities, bringing the students with companies and new
startups”. By Wessel (Netherlands)
20
THE JOURNEY
TEAM BLUE
PRAGUE
Making an extra stop in BRNO as well, Team
Blue arrives to Prague to meet the members
of AEGEE-Praha and learn more about nationalistic thoughts against European ideals
and how youth policies are being dealt with.
VIENNA
Demonstration organised by local university
students for promoting lowering the voting
age to 16 in the country. Team Blue had a
chance to interview students both from high
school and university regarding the issue.
BUDAPEST
Hungary, a former socialist country in the
heart of Europe with a troubled past and
present. Team blue met AEGEE-Budapest to
further excavate the causes and consequences of Hungary’s peculiar position in the EU.
ZAGREB
Discussion forum organised by AEGEEZagreb
about
the
recognition
of
non-formal educational methods as a
solution to easening fresh graduates’
entering into the job market.
RECOMMENDATION ON THE RECOGNITION OF NON-FORMAL EDUCATION:
“Young people need to learn in school about Europe from a very early age. If not they will not
be able to feel themselves European. They need to be able to understand what it is and how it
works in their lives”. By Silvia (Croatia).
21
THE JOURNEY
TEAM BLUE
CLUJ-NAPOCA
How do Romanian youth feel about the
country joining the EU? Team Blue had
thought-provoking discussions with AEGEECluj Napoca; how they welcome their new
opportunities but are obstructed by the slowly
adapting old governmental framework.
BUCHAREST
Discussions with AEGEE-Bucuresti and
official representatives about the state of
democracy in the EU and ways to increase
youth participation in this.
SOFIA
AEGEE-Sofia and ESN Sofia set the stage for
Team Blue to hold a workshop titled „Future
of Europe: Non-Formal Education!”. Various
views and interesting outcomes!
ISTANBUL
The final stop; crossing the border of the
continent and meeting AEGEE-Istanbul for
tackling the deeply controversial status of
visa regulations and EU-Turkey relations.
RECOMMENDATION ON THE EDUCATION OF SUSTAINABILITY:
“Sustainable development has to be taught from very early stages, but should also be taught
and reminded throughout every citizen’s’ life, because it is a topic which affects all of us”.
By Mathieu (Belgium)
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FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
ON YOUTH PARTICIPATION
”Internships aim to bridge the gap between graduation and employment, providing us with
valuable practical skills. Still, I am wondering how working for free and even overburdening
ourselves can be seen as something that motivates us on the way? The system of unpaid
internships needs serious reconsideration.” By Michael (Germany)
”The Youth Guarantee offers a practical and feasable solution to young graduates’ feared
‚transition to the job market’. Governments should work in close cooperation with national
youth councils in order to create the best fitting development scheme for both parties.”
By Rita (Hungary)
“In many cases young people are ’not as important’ voters as the older generation so they
need to lobby even harder and this is one of the missions of a national youth council.
Without proper funds and support these councils cannot fulfill their tasks in educating young
people about the rights and possibilities they should be entitled to.“ By Ricardo (Spain)
“Young people must be aware of the importance of their vote in the European Parliament
elections 2014. They have the chance, if they want to change the track which Europe is
taking. For this they need information to be able to make informed choices, and they also
need to feel represented by the candidates”. By Léa (France)
“Targeted campaigns for young people should be created for the next European
Parliamentary elections 2014, as well as political parties would need to include
competent and prepared young people in their lists who can represent the interests of
European youth inside the European Parliament.“ By Veronika (Czech Republic)
Join AEGEE’s mission in empowering young people all over Europe:
READ THE BLOG of the ambassadors’ journey from each stop at
aegee.org/europeontrack
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FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
ON SUSTAINABILITY
“When a young person wants to know about Sustainability in Europe, it is very difficult
because there is not one single space where you can find all this information in an
understandable way. Many more could become active in promoting sustainability given
the proper education on the topic.” By Andrew (Malta)
”To be honest, I have heard the word ’sustainability’ before but I was never really sure
what it meant. A common information database should be created for all member
states of the EU regarding sustainable development, with aims and objectives, what
citizens could do in order to implement these development strategies. In a language
that is understandable for everyone.” By Aleksandra (Poland)
”Education for Sustainable Development should be introduced in the formal education
curricula as well as through informal and non formal methods of learning, from early
stages with a life-long learning perspective. I don’t think many people are aware of the
importance of this issue; but ithey should be!” By Monica (Romania)
“Already starting your own company is extremely hard, so a lot of help and support is
needed, and especially even more for those who at the same time are trying to have a
green or social impact and helping others with their idea”. By Roland (Hungary)
“It doesn’t make sense that I would have to pay more for sustainable products and
services if I don’t see that it changes anything. Education is the key to understand
these matters and to shape our perception of the concept and believe it really has an
impact on our future.” By Lise (Germany)
“Another suggestion is greater support for companies to promote sustainable behaviour. Young people recognise the important role the market
has to play in the realisation of more sustainable lifestyles, and want
companies that make efforts towards this to receive better support in the form of
subsidies, so the price for more sustainable products can be lowered in comparison
with standard products and services.” By Mathieu (Belgium)
READ AEGEE-Europe’ Position Paper on Education of Sustainable Development
written by Mathieu Soete - Policy Officer on Sustainability
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FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP
”Youth Entrepreneurship should be encouraged at all levels. Young entrepreneurs should
be supported financially, like for example, being exempted from paying taxes during the
first few years of having a start-up. Starting ’adult’ life is hard enough as it is without
having to live in constant fnancial insecurity and an unsure chance for success”
By Alene (Netherlands)
”Creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and risk-taking should be encouraged in young
people, so they wold dare taking the risk and develop a mindset for entrepreneurial
thinking. Instead, we are taught to learn from books, earn the credentials then find
a job at a company. The possibility of starting your own company is not a topic your
professors would start to explain during a lecture.” By Giana (Italy)
”Financial incentives should be provided for young entrepreneurs willing to create
startups with green or social goals, so young people can envision how their efforts
will benefit society on the long run. Fostering green economies should start by
educating the younger generation about the importance of green and social jobs.”
By Leon (Switzerland)
For further information read AEGEE-Europe’s Policy Papers on:
* The Youth Guarantee Scheme
* European Integration
* Youth Rights
* The Issue of Co-Management System for Young People within the European Institutions
http://aegee.org/about-aegee/positions/
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EUROPEAN CHARLEMAGNE YOUTH PRIZE
1ST PRIZE
“The European Charlemagne Youth
Prize” aims to encourage the development of
European
consciousness
among
young
people, as well as their participation in European
integration projects.
The Prize is awarded to projects
undertaken by young people which foster
understanding, promote the development of a shared sense of European identity,
and offer practical examples of Europeans living together as one community.
“The European Charlemagne Youth Prize” is awarded jointly and annually by
the European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize
of Aachen.
Europe on Track was selected as the
winner of the Spanish national competition, and with all national winners, went to
Aachen, Germany for the Award ceremony.
There the projects were presented and the three best ones were recognized.
AEGEE-Europe and the Europe on Track project are very thankful to the jury of
the Charlemagne Youth Prize for choosing our project as the best project in 2013.
Read more about the European Charlemagne Youth Prize here:
http://bit.ly/1fwsnzv
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SUPPORTERS
We are thankful to:
AEGEE-Leuven
AEGEE-Paris
AEGEE-Fribourg
AEGEE-Napoli
AEGEE-Bologna
AEGEE-Genoa
AEGEE-Lyon
AEGEE-Toulouse
AEGEE-Bilbao
AEGEE-Madrid
AEGEE-Barcelona
AEGEE-Tilburg
AEGEE-Enschede
AEGEE-Berlin
AEGEE-Poznan
AEGEE-Katowice
AEGEE-Bratislava
AEGEE-Brno
AEGEE-Praha
AEGEE-Wien
National Youth Council of Spain
Consejo de la Juventud de Espana - CJE
27
AEGEE-Budapest
AEGEE-Zagreb
AEGEE-Cluj Napoca
AEGEE-Bucharest
AEGEE-Sofia
AEGEE-Istanbul
Croatian Youth Network
SUPPORTERS OF THE PROJECT
MEP Salvador Sedó
”It
has
been great news
and not a surprise, that the Europe
on Track project,
of
AEGEE-Europe
/
European
Students´Forum - as an answer to the
loss of trust in the European project
during the economic and financial
crisis - had been awarded the European
Charlemagne Youth Prize 2013.
This project, which I had the
fortune to give my patronage to
during its launch in the European
Parliament, proves that the dream of
the European construction is still
present in our youth.
Seeing the new problems and
uncertanities, the project tackles
deeply the Europe which young
people would like for their near
future, because the year 2020 which
Europe on Track proposes is right
behind the corner.
Questions like, ”Where is Europe
heading? How can we preserve our
present and better our future? What do
28
young people expect of the Europe of the
future?” show the concerns and interest
of our youth in the European construction, where they want and they must take
an active part.
Not in vain, recently AEGEE
has presented to the Members of the
European Parliament three measures to
promote youth employment, one of the
biggest dramas which the EU is facing in
these times of crisis. These measures
can be summarized in reduction in taxes for companies and businesses employing young people, bridging the gap
between higher education and labor
market, and invest in the creation of “business incubators”, “clusters” and “venture
capitals” for young entrepreneurs.
Its with organizations like AEGEE
and initiatives like Europe on Track, that
we can be sure that the future of the
European construction is guaranteed!”
SUPPORTERS OF THE PROJECT
MEP Eidel Gardiazabal
As
Europeans,
we will soon go towards
a very important turning
point: the renewal of the
European Parliament and
the European Commission. We need to make sure
that this represents a moment not only
to change faces, but also the chance to
discuss what Europe we want and how do
we want to achieve it in the interest of all
the citizens, especially those that suffered
the most the economic and social crisis.
For this reason, as youth intergroup, we were very happy to support
the Europe on Track project especially
because of its aim to capture young
people’s vision for Europe in 2020. In 2013
Europe is celebrating the European year
of citizens while we are in the 6th year
of crisis: a crisis where young people are
paying the highest toll not only in
economic terms, but also in terms of
capacity to participate and influence the
political processes in Europe.
Therefore the priority is for us to
show to the citizens that participation and
solidarity are fundamental ingredients for
a credible way out from the crisis.
Europe
today
needs
to
rebuild its relations with citizens and
also find ways to give new value and
recognize the incredible work everyday youth organizations like AEGEE
are doing to help young people to be
more mobile and aware citizens.
But this is of course not enough:
we need to put the participation of
young people at the core of the EU
policy making in the field of youth.
One of the solutions that I see
for the future is to strengthen the
relation between organized youth
civil society and the European
Parliament
because
on
youth
policies we are all standing with the
same goal: making sure that there is
a coordinated action at European and
national level to counter the unprecedented crisis young people are facing.
Also to provide such a room
for dialogue in 2009 we created the
intergroup and this is why I encourage you always to challenge yourselves and us as MEPs on the core of
the different policies we are shaping
for young people. Your expertise is
fundamental and everybody, in its
own role, needs to do their part.
29
SUPPORTERS OF THE PROJECT
MEP Katarína Nevedalová
The “Europe On Track”
project is a great tool
to stimulate the young
people’s interest in European affairs and in their
active involvement in crucial
issues of the European Union.
The project deserves one big applaud. 38 cities seen, more than 9000 kms
travelled and over 200 people interviewed
- have proved its uniqueness. I think that
the idea to travel by train and interview
the European youth about the issues they
consider the most important is great.
Travelling by train promotes a good
alternative to the current obsession of
travelling everywhere by car or plane. It
also highlights the importance of green
and environmentally friendly solutions.
This project represents a timeless
platform in search of possible approaches
to solving the economic recession and its
impact on graduates, their job opportunities and related quality of life. Only if
young people engage in society and policy
making they can change their future!
Personally, I believe that “Europe On
Track” has the potential to inspire decision
makers, because they have the chance to
see real life situations the young people in
Europe face. Therefore it contributes to a
better understanding of the young people’s needs and its reflection in the EU legislation. I always say that politicians think
they know everything... but they do not!
30
MEP Marian Harkin
I am delighted
to be in the position
to congratulate the
European Students’
Forum (AEGEE) on
the
magnificent
achievement of winning the 2013
European
Charlemagne
Youth
Prize with Europe on Track.
Europe on Track plays an
important role for young people
by
strengthening
participative
democracy.
The
Spanish
project enables young, active
volunteers
throughout
Europe
to interact, both online and
offline, and to let their voices be
heard. Europe on Track creates a
sense of real engagement among
young people and policy makers.
It is vitally important, as
policy makers, that we get an
opportunity to hear those voices
and to capture young people’s
vision of the future of Europe.
INTRODUCTION to
Europe 2020 - Europe’s Growth Strategy
Europe 2020 is the European Union’s ten-year growth strategy.
It is not only about overcoming the
crisis, it is also about addressing the
shortcomings of our growth model and
creating the conditions for a smarter,
more sustainable and more inclusive
growth.
Five key targets have been set
for the EU to achieve by the end of the
decade:
1. Employment: 75% of the 20-64
year-olds to be employed
2. R&D: 3% of the EU’s GDP to
be invested in Research&Development
3. Climate change and energy
sustainability: lowering greenhouse
gas emissions by 20% (1990). 20% of
energy from renewables. 20% increase
in energy efficiency
4. Education: Reducing the rates
of early school leaving below 10%.
At least 40% of 30-34–year-olds
completing third level education
5. Fighting poverty and social
exclusion: at least 20 million fewer
people in or at risk of poverty and
social exclusion
The strategy also includes:
7 ‘flagship initiatives’ providing a
framework for supporting the Europe
2020 priorities such as innovation, the
digital economy, employment, youth,
industrial policy, poverty, and resource
efficiency.
Within each initiative, both the
EU and national authorities have to
coordinate their efforts so they are
mutually reinforcing. The key factors are:
* Smart growth
* Digital agenda for Europe
* Innovation Union
* Youth on the move
* Sustainable growth
* Resource efficient Europe
* Industrial policy for the globalisation era
* Inclusive growth
* An agenda for new skills and jobs
* European platform against poverty
You can visit the website for further information.
[http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/]
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INTRODUCTION to
AEGEE-Europe - European Students’ Forum
AEGEE (Association des Etats
Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe/
European Students’ Forum) is a student organisation that promotes cooperation, communication and integration
amongst young people in Europe. As a non-governmental, politically
independent, and non-profit organisation AEGEE is open to students and
young people from all faculties and
disciplines – today it counts 13 000
members, active in close to 200
university cities in 40 European countries, making it the biggest interdisciplinary student association in Europe.
AEGEE, which was founded
in 1985 in Paris, puts the idea of a
unified Europe into practice. A widely
spread student network provides the
ideal platform where young volunteers
from 40 European countries can work
together on cross border activities such
as conferences, seminars, exchanges,
training courses, summer universities, case study trips and working group
meetings.
By encouraging travelling and
mobility, stimulating discussions and
organising common projects, AEGEE
attempts to overcome national, cultural
and ethnic divisions and to create a
vision of young people’s Europe.
32
AEGEE operates without any
national level of organisation. The
structure is based on a European Level
(European Board of Directors working
in Brussels, Commissions, Committees, Working Groups, and multinational
Project Teams), and on a Local Level
(close to 200 Antennae or local groups,
forming the Network).
The association’s main aims are:
* Promoting a unified Europe without
prejudices.
* Striving to create an open and
tolerant society of today and tomorrow.
* Fostering democracy, human rights,
tolerance, cross border cooperation,
mobility and European dimension in
education.
AEGEE’s Focus Areas
2011-2014
One of AEGEE’s most well-known
achievements is the effective lobbying for
the creation of the Erasmus programme
in the 1980s.
In 2001, AEGEE worked together
with ESN (Erasmus Student Network) and
ESIB (The National Unions of Students in
Europe, now European Students’ Union)
on the “Socrates on the Move” project, with the aim of promoting all Socrates initiatives. As a result, one million
Erasmus students had been reached, and
the scope of the Erasmus programme
was broadened to include countries such
as Turkey.
AEGEE is also known for its
longest running project, the Summer
University project that gathers thousands
of volunteers each summer, providing
courses on a wide range of topics from
language courses to seminars about
political, cultural or environmental issues.
AEGEE has participatory status in
the activities of the Council of Europe,
consultative status at the United Nations, operational status at UNESCO and
is at the same time a member of the
Advisory Council on Youth of European
Youth Forum.
The organisation also has a
number of illustrious personalities amongst its general partners:
Mikhail Gorbachev, the winner of
the Nobel Peace Prize; Vaclav Havel,
former President of the Czech
Republic;
Eric
Froment,
former
President of the European University Association, Wolfgang Thierse,
former President of the Bundestag and Romano Prodi, former Prime
Minister of Italy and President of the
European Commission.
33
MENTIONS IN THE MEDIA
[…] Spanish youth media project Europe on Track picked
up the first prize at the 2013 Charlemagne Youth Prize ceremony on 7 May in Aachen. Second prize went to the Polish photo contest Discover Europe, while Estonian youth
exchange project the Story of my Life came in third. The Charlemagne Youth Prize is
awarded every year to projects that foster a shared sense of European identity and
integration among young people. [read more: http://bit.ly/18T8fzp]
[...] Supporting this new initiative of the European Students’
Forum, during their speeches, MEP Eider Gardiazabal and
MEP Salvador Sedó pointed out the importance of a project made by youth with the
purpose of discovering youth point of views and expectations about issues such as
mobility, employment or coexistence inside the European Union. Réka Salamon [...]
explained that this venture shows one of the main aims of AEGEE, providing a space
for young European citizens to discuss the topic of the future of Europe, so that they
can shape the direction where society is going. [read more: http://bit.ly/1g5QL8p]
[…] La falta de información y el desconocimiento sobre el funcionamiento de las
instituciones es un lastre para la confianza. Así lo cree Luis Alvarado, el primer
español galardonado con el premio Carlomagno de la Juventud, en la edición de
2013, por su proyecto Europe on track, en el que seis jóvenes han recorrido el continente en tren para preguntar a sus colegas de generación qué saben sobre la UE
y cómo quieren que sea en el futuro. “Los jóvenes se sienten europeos, han crecido
en este proyecto y nos hemos encontrado con muy pocos euroescépticos”, explica.
“Pero no saben cómo funcionan las instituciones y eso genera desapego”, añade.
[read more: http://bit.ly/ZISxTK]
WATCH the full video at:
http://www.noticiestgn.tv/videos/
34
MENTIONS IN THE MEDIA
[…] El proyecto ganador ofrece a los
jóvenes una plataforma para compartir sus ideas y su visión de cómo será Europa en 2020 a través de sus fotografías,
vídeos, entrevistas y blogs, que se recopilarán para elaborar un documental cortometraje con los jóvenes como protagonistas.
En el primer año de vida del proyecto, seis ‚embajadores’ del proyecto viajararon […]
para preguntar a más de 400 jóvenes preguntas como „¿hacia dónde se dirige Europa?, ¿Cómo podemos mantener nuestro presente y preservar nuestro futuro? y ¿Qué
esperan los jóvenes de la Europa del futuro?” [read more: http://bit.ly/1bKZ2ub]
[…] „Nos planteamos que los jóvenes de
la calle deberían conocer mejor y participar en la elaboración de esta estrategia,
saber qué es lo que ellos esperan que Europa sea en el futuro, así que les dimos
pases de Interrail a un grupo de embajadores que pudieron viajar por toda Europa
durante un mes, entrevistando a jóvenes y preguntándoles cuál es la Europa que
ellos quieren. […] Schulz destacó en la ceremonia en Aquisgrán que se trata de „un
proyecto que busca soluciones constructivas para los problemas actuales: la pérdida de confianza en la UE y el alarmante nivel de paro juvenil en muchos países”
[read more: http://bit.ly/I7TgeD]
E&M: Mathieu, what motivated you to spend one
month travelling across
Europe by train?
MS: There are a lot of moments where you can talk with people in certain environments like the one that exists in a European youth organisation such as AEGEE, but
there’s never enough time and you’re always in a sort of „European bubble”, where
you don’t meet with people in their own realities. […] For me it was not the travelling
that attracted me, it was not to see that part of Europe that I decided to go to, but
it was because I thought with my prior experience I really had an idea of the topics
discussed and could get into some great discussions. Visiting people, finding people,
and giving them the opportunity to talk, not only to us but to everyone who is listening – this was my main motivation. [read more here: http://bit.ly/1beo75Q]
35
CONCLUDING WORDS
Europe on Track has allowed us to dream, to re-inspire many young
people with the positive things which the European Union offers them.
Engaging citizens in this battle which is still not over, we felt that with this
project we are allowing many youngsters to stop for a second and think
positively about the EU, to stop for a moment and think what they would like to
change in their realities and express it directly to the decision makers.
Europe on Track is the very clear example that when you offer young
people the opportunity, space and platform to express and develop themselves,
they can come up with creative solutions to the current challenges in society.
Young people still want Europe, but a different and improved European
Union. Our generation, the one who has never experienced war is very aware of
what our parents and grandparents have given us and will not let Schumann’s
dream come to an end.
36
Young people will not allow that so much effort, resources and lives go
in vain. For us its clear. More and better Europe is the only answer to this
crisis. Fulfilling the goals of the EU 2020 strategy and setting better ones has
to be done and it will ensure more equality, balance, unleashed potential and
competitiveness in our continent, leading to a higher quality-well being of all our
citizens.
Young people are a crucial part in the construction of the European
Union, and therefore their voice must be listened to and taken into account.
Our generation is very aware of all the benefits which we count with, and we are
not ready to let them slip by.
We are no longer the future of Europe.
We are the present and we are here to make a change.
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37
Copyright © AEGEE-Europe
Design: Réka Salamon, Iker Iraizoz