Brussels (B), 19 May 2010.
The Assembly of European Regions (AER) and Brussels-Capital region, hosted today the 2nd grand final of “Do you speak European?” competition. Eleven young teams from Brodsko-posavska (HR), Madeira (P), Limousin (F), Brussels-Capital (B), Chisinau (MO), Jönköping/ Västernorrland (S), Somerset (UK), Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok (H), Hunedoara (RO), Kocaeli (T) and Østfold (N) expressed “What does Europe mean to you?” in the most original, creative and artistic 5-7 minutes performances.
”Being here today to express our ideas directly where Europe is build up everyday is a great opportunity for us”, said the members of the winning team. “Thanks to this initiative, we really feel as our contribution to building up a Europe of the peoples is taken into account; we really feel Europe close to us”.
Brussels-Capital region’s team was awarded first place by a jury comprised of Ali Jean Eric Alira (Regional representative from Lower Silesia – PL), Charlotte Kudé (President of AER Youth Regional Network), Meabh Mc Mahon (Europocket TV), Anja Ruhland (Director of the Eurodesk Brussels Link), Livia Ruszthy (European Commission, DG for Education and Culture).
The Grand Final took place alongside with several activities all dedicated to young people and Europe. An open discussion on the theme of “Mobility – broadening horizons or risking brain drain?” and a presentation of the YOUTH in ACTION program were as well on the menu to give young people the opportunity to discover “What can Europe do for you(th)?”.
Quotes from jury members:
Charlotte Kudé, AER Youth Regional Network President and member of the jury, said: “As a member of the jury for the first time, it is an honour for me to represent the youth regional network of the AER, since the European youth therewith gets the opportunity to make its voice heard not only concerning youth policies, but in a significant cultural event”.
Meabh Mc Mahon, jury member representing Europocket TV, stressed that “Europe and above all, the EU, can seem mind-boggling. From treaties to Council meetings, it is hard to relate to the fact that amid all the political debate, the continent itself has a lot more to offer, like mobility programmes and exchanges. The ‘Do you speak European?’ initiative is a clever way to show school goers as young as 14 the opportunities that can be reaped within Europe by giving them a sense of ‘thinking outside the box’ and a sense of feeling somewhat European”.
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