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The future of the European Union, its role, organisation
and place in the world, will determine the future of
young Europeans. It is more important than ever to involve
the young people of our countries in taking decisions,
making choices and sharing responsibilities, in order
to make them a part of Europe's democratic life.
The European Union cannot remain a mystery to young
people in Europe. Whilst they are making choices about
their lives and trying to find a direction, they must
be able to take part in the European debate and experience
European diversity and unity at first hand.
In order to meet this need, the European Parliament
launched the Euroscola programme, designed to enable
young people from all over Europe to meet, discuss their
problems and experiences and get to know each other.
The European Parliament organises regular meetings with
secondary school pupils from the 25 Member States of
the European Union in its hemicycle in Strasbourg, in
the form of a European Youth Parliament.
At each event, 500 students (16 to 18 years old), who
have done preparation work in class, are invited to
spend a day at the European Parliament in order
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to familiarise them with the workings
of the European institutions; |
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to make them aware of their role
in the future organisation of Europe; |
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to convey to them the need to invest
in democracy and fundamental rights; |
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to offer them a forum for expressing
their personal opinions and strengthening their
commitment |
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| It is difficult to imagine a venue more
fitting than the European Parliament, the centrepoint
of the continent's democratic life, which welcomes young
people and, in a clearly symbolic setting, provides them
with the opportunity to express themselves and exchange
ideas on a given issue and on the need for mutual understanding,
based on the young people's willingness to get to know
other.
Euroscola facilitates easy interaction of young people
of different nationalities. As soon as they arrive at
the European Parliament, the students cease to represent
their school, and become part of multilingual working
groups of about 100 participants. The choice of group
and the subjects to be discussed are dealt with prior
to the day itself in the various educational establishments.
The games, questionnaires and surveys are organised
in such a way as to require students of different linguistic
backgrounds and nationalities to work together.
Throughout the day, participants are encouraged to
make full use of their language knowledge to communicate
with their colleagues from other European countries,
to see foreign languages as a means of exchange, understanding
the problems of others, their points of view and expectations,
and to create a better welcome for young people with
different traditions and customs.
It is intrinsic to the success of the day that the
participants are well prepared for the meeting, so that
they can play an active part in the discussions, some
of which will be held in a foreign language, on subjects
to which they have already given some thought.
At the end of the day, each participant will receive
a certificate signed by the President of the European
Parliament
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| A EUROSCOLA day
at the European Parliament |
| On arrival at the European Parliament at
08.30, 500 young people (16 - 18 years old) meet each
other over breakfast, during which the programme details
are explained to them.
Following this initial meeting, the participants, who
have already been assigned to multinational groups (to
avoid any political confusion, these are designated
by geometric shapes), make their way to the hemicycle
where they take the seats of the MEPs. The session begins
with an overview of the role of the European Parliament,
followed by an hour of questions and discussions, along
with a questionnaire on the students' plans and knowledge
of Europe, during which the European Parliament's electronic
voting system is used.
Lunch is an opportunity for great interaction, with
participants forming smaller teams, consisting of four
different nationalities, to take part in a game set
out in the official languages of the EU.
After lunch, the students rejoin their five respective
working groups, each of which appoints a chairman and
spokesman. Each working group adopts a resolution that
its rapporteur defends in plenary. The final text adopted
by all the participants is the Euroscola resolution
of the day. A representative from the European Parliament
concludes the debate.
The day finishes with the final of the quiz on knowledge
of European culture and a closing ceremony at the end
of which the European anthem is sung. A European flag
is given to each school and participants all receive
a certificate signed by the President of the European
Parliament and a group photo.
On arrival at the European Parliament at 08.30, 500
young people (16 - 18 years old) meet each other over
breakfast, during which the programme details are explained
to them.
Following this initial meeting, the participants, who
have already been assigned to multinational groups (to
avoid any political confusion, these are designated
by geometric shapes), make their way to the hemicycle
where they take the seats of the MEPs. The session begins
with an overview of the role of the European Parliament,
followed by an hour of questions and discussions, along
with a questionnaire on the students' plans and knowledge
of Europe, during which the European Parliament's electronic
voting system is used.
Lunch is an opportunity for great interaction, with
participants forming smaller teams, consisting of four
different nationalities, to take part in a game set
out in the official languages of the EU.
After lunch, the students rejoin their five respective
working groups, each of which appoints a chairman and
spokesman. Each working group adopts a resolution that
its rapporteur defends in plenary. The final text adopted
by all the participants is the Euroscola resolution
of the day. A representative from the European Parliament
concludes the debate.
The day finishes with the final of the quiz on knowledge
of European culture and a closing ceremony at the end
of which the European anthem is sung. A European flag
is given to each school and participants all receive
a certificate signed by the President of the European
Parliament and a group photo.
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| "EUROSCOLA"
programme |
8.30 a.m.
- Participants arrive at European Parliament Building
"Louise Weiss" (IPE IV)
- Security check
- Welcome
- Badges and programme for the day distributed
9.15 a.m.
- Breakfast with other participants
- Presentation and outline of programme for the day
- Participants split into multilingual working groups
10.00 a.m.
- Transfer to the Chamber of the Building "Louise
Weiss"
- Young people seated in MEPs' seats
- Short welcoming speech
- Introduction to the European Parliament and the European
Union by officials of the European Parliament
- Each school is introduced by a pupil (one minute per
school)
- Questions/debate on the development of Europe
- Photograph
12.45 p.m.
- Lunch provided at European Parliament restaurant
- "Eurogame" begins with teams of four players
(of four different nationalities)
2.00 p.m.
- Working groups meet in committee rooms for discussion
and exchange of views on European priorities, based
on themes prepared at school. Each group selects a representative
"executive" and a student to present their
conclusions
- Round-table discussion between teachers and an EP
official
4.00 p.m.
- Return to the Chamber of the Building "Louise
Weiss" for plenary session and presentation of
reports adopted in working groups
- Conclusions and proposals
- Final of "Eurogame" and presentation of
prizes
- Presentation of "Euroscola" certificate
- Presentation of European flag to each participating
group
- European anthem
5.30 p.m.
- Departure
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| TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
- 2004 - Working party No 1: |
'European democracy' (circle)
How to ensure the participation of citizens in the political
life of our continent
- Working party No 2:
'Environment' (trapezium)
Compatibility of economic development with respect for
the environment
- Working party No 3:
'The place of European values in the world' (square)
Peace, security, justice and human rights
- Working party No 4:
'Youth' (triangle)
What can young people do for the European Union and
what do they expect from it?
- Working party No 5:
'The future of Europe' (diamond)
What are the economic, political, institutional and
social priorities for the Europe of tomorrow?
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