Event 2019 Summer Academy Archives - Assembly of European Regions

Looking back at the 2019 AER Summer Academy in Vojvodina!

15 July, 2019 By Editor

The Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (RS) hosted the 2019 AER Summer Academy, engaging almost 100 participants from all over Europe. Youth participation, equality, migration, environment and unemployment were some of the topics addressed during all the plenaries and parallel workshops. For all these reasons it was a great opportunity to discuss not only the problems that young Europeans are facing in Europe today but also the solutions and alternatives that can ensure a prosperous future.

Valuable insights and unforgettable experiences

Thanks to both the effort of the hosting region of AP Vojvodina and the proactivity of the participants, the Summer Academy 2019 became a great forum not to just discuss ideas and policies but also of informal knowledge-sharing. Some activities within the program encouraged the young participants to get to know each other and to create bonds among them.

A Tour around Novi Sad followed by a “Graffiti party” in the city beach “Strand”, the international dinner that took place on the next day, the several concerts during all the week in the Liberty Square and the Exit festival on Thursday night made the delights of the regional delegates and young participants.

Besides that, it contributed to bringing up the importance of a dynamic and sustainable urban life in order to face the challenges ahead of us. These challenges were also discussed within the different workshops and plenary sessions. Youth participation was the main subject during the first day of sessions. The County of Jönköping (SE) and the Canton of Zürich (CH) inspired the audience through two different workshops about the importance of taking part in the public arena in order to defend the interests and rights of youth people all around Europe.

The second and the third day, sectoral concerns such as migration, equality, environment or the labour market were covered. In addition to the regions of Maramureș (RO), Østfold (NO) and Brussels-Capital (BE), participants had the chance to rely on the presence of experts from the AMiD- Access to services for Migrants with Disabilities project or Smart Coop, who provided a wider perspective than the institutional one to the debates.

Written by: Juan Antonio Gallardo Roca, Eurodyssey Trainee at Brussels International (BI) – Brussels Capital Region (BE)

Acknowledgements

The Assembly of European Regions would like to thank the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, the representatives, experts and volunteers of the region whose joint endeavour ensured the Summer Academy success.

A big thank you also to the Summer Academy Organizing Committee (SAOC) members, whose compromise is crucial to uphold every year’s program.

And last but not least, thank you to all the participants, you are the reason why the Summer Academy continues creating unforgettable memories year after year!

Follow AER!

Discussing the Future of European Youths at the 2019 Summer Academy

15 July, 2019 By Gisela Guari Cañada

Now that the 2019 Summer Academy is over, it is very fair to say that this year’s edition was a complete success with a total of 100 participants from 32 different regions and 19 countries from all over Europe and beyond!

The 2019 AER Summer Academy with the motto Youth is Future, Youth is Europe! was hosted by the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (RS) in the beautiful city of Novi Sad from the 1st to the 5th of July. Throughout the week, the youth delegates and regional officials participated in plenary sessions, seminars, workshops and other activities that allowed them to have their saying and exchange their perspectives regarding the #FutureofEurope.

Opening of the AER 2019 Summer Academy!

On the 1st of July, the opening session gathered high-rank politicians from the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and from the European arena. Following the performance of a choir singing live the national Serbian anthem and the European anthem, the AER 2019 Summer Academy was officially inaugurated by Mr István Pásztor who welcomed the participants to Novi Sad, Vojvodina. The AER Vice President for Interregional Democracy, Damir Zobenica, wished the participants a fruitful and joyful week in Novi Sad, and so the President of the AER Summer Academy, Rune Fredriksen, did. Furthermore, AER and AP Vojvodina were also honoured with the presence of the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, Tobias Flessenkemper, the recently elected Vice President of the AER Youth Regional Network, Paula Holst, as well as the AER Vice President for Equal Opportunities, Andrew Gibson.

From left to right: Andrew Gibson, István Pásztor, Damir Zobenica and Tobias Flessenkemper

“Youth is Democratic Participation and European Citizenship”

After the official kick-off of the 2019 Summer Academy, the 1st Plenary Session started under the topic “Youth is democratic participation and European Citizenship”. In this session, moderated by Hrvoje Kovac, Chair of AER sub-committee on youth, Jovana Majstorović (European Youth Forum) stressed the importance of having young people involved in politics and being politically educated in schools.

From left to right: Hrvoje Kovac, Alejandra Piot, Jovana Majstorović and Igor Novaković.

Igor Novaković, International & Security Affairs Center (ISAC) Fund, added to Jovana’s insights that today education system should instruct children and students on European democratic and civic values. Alejandra Piot Pérez-Abadín, AEGEE Europe – European Students’ Forum, considered that the potential of social media and other digital tools to promote youth participation is not being fully exploited by the public administrations.

“Youth is Diversity and Equal Opportunities for all”

The Plenary Session 2, moderated by Tamara Glišić-Krivošija (AP Vojvodina), brought up various relevant topics that have direct impacts on young Europeans: the right to have equal opportunities no matter their background, gender, or physical conditions.

Angela Unufe-Kennedy, Migrants and Minority Disability Network Europe, raised awareness about the enormous obstacles that the young migrant population has to face to thrive in the society they are part of. Bojana Gladovic, National Organization of Persons with Disabilities of Serbia (NOOIS), called on public administrations, private sector, NGOs and civil society to their joint responsibility in harnessing the abilities of young people with special needs and to create more job opportunities for this specific sector of the population.

Concerning youth opportunities in the labour market, both Joakim Sennesvik, Nordland County Council (NO), and Stefan Vladislavjev, Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, coincided in the fact that society itself has to offer young people more educational and training opportunities so they can effectively enter and remain in the labour market.

“Youth is Social Entrepreneurship and Sharing Economy”

The 3rd Plenary Session under the topic “Youth is Social Entrepreneurship and Sharing Economy” gathered four experts in this specific area. Sarah de Heusch, Smart Coop, explained that the sharing economy is an evolving concept as the young people have unlimited capacity and creativity to boost new forms of economy. Vladimir Nikic (Business Incubator) pointed out that young people may be afraid of taking risks and there is always a resistance to innovate and change the pre-established state of things. Luca Spissu, Sardinia-ASPAL (IT), described innovation as a creative idea that leads to a revolution in thinking at the benefit of the whole society. Aleksandre Davitadze, Deputy Minister of Education in Ajara (GE), expressed concerns regarding the lack of stable regulation frameworks for entrepreneurs so a more secure system should be put in place to incentivise innovation.

From left to right: Luca Spissu, Sarah de Heush, Alexandre Davitadze, Tamara Glišić-Krivošija and Vladimir Nikic.

“Youth is a driving force for green development”

The last Plenary Session of the 2019 Summer Academy tackled the topic of how youth can contribute to building and advocating for climate resilience at the regional and local levels. The President of AER, Magnus Berntsson, the AER Vice President for Democracy, Nina Björby, and Aleksandra Illijn, OPENS 2019 Foundation, exchanged views and agreed upon the fact that the regional authorities and young Europeans can be more responsive and deliver with more efficiency on the challenges of preserving the environment and preventing climate change. Furthermore, the Summer Academy youth participants took the floor and interacted with the speakers making questions about the role of youth in taking up these challenges.

A farewell celebration!

The 2019 edition of the Summer Academy concluded with the speeches from the AER President, Magnus Berntsson, and the AER Vice President for Democracy, Nina Björby, who expressed their gratitude to the host region, AP Vojvodina, and handed out the certificates of participation to all the Summer Academy delegates.

AER President, Magnus Berntsson, and AER Vice President, Damir Zobenica

AER Vice President, Nina Björby, and Sanja Shiflish, AP Vojvodina.

AER would like to express its warmest gratitude to all the participants, the speakers, the volunteers but, especially, to AP Vojvodina and OPENS Foundation for hosting the event and making this 2019 AER Summer Academy a great success!

Visit the event page of the AER 2019 Summer Academy to get all the presentations, pictures, videos and more takeaways!

Photo Credits: @Aleksandar Vasilic (AP Vojvodina)

Follow AER!

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: become a YRN entrepreneur for a day!

24 June, 2019 By Gisela Guari Cañada

Coinciding with the 2019 European Youth Capital, the region of Vojvodina (RS) will host the AER Summer Academy 2019 in the city of Novi Sad from the 1st to the 5th of July. This year’s edition entitled Youth is Future, Youth is Europe will be dedicated to reflecting on the Future of Europe from multiple angles and the role that young people can play in building a stronger Europe. The AER Youth Regional Network (YRN) in collaboration with EMAX Sweden will organise a workshop on the topic of Youth Entrepreneurship.

E-Kampen: Become an entrepreneur for a day!

What do you think is the age limit for starting a business plan? In Sweden, they believe that the younger the better. Proof of it is the fact that EMAX Sweden has given the opportunity for young students to think of entrepreneurship initiatives. This Swedish organisation has launched a school competition named E-Kampen: entrepreneur for a day! in which students can develop their own business idea and compete with their peers to become the best entrepreneurs.

The AER Youth Regional Network (YRN) in collaboration with EMAX will bring all the way from Sweden to Novi Sad the E-Kampen initiative. Summer Academy participants will become entrepreneurs for a day!

How to participate?

If you wish to participate in this workshop and in many other activities, please visit the event page of the Summer Academy and discover the full programme.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join the Novi Sad 2019 European Youth Capital!

Register Now!

Photo Credits: Pexels.com

Follow AER!

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: AMiD workshop on Migrants with Disabilities

17 June, 2019 By Editor

“Opportunities for all abilities”

The AMiD-Access to services for Migrants with Disabilities project is landing in Novi Sad, Vojvodina (RS) for the 2019 Summer Academy with the aim to raise awareness among regional and local authorities and young representatives about one of the most fragile within the disadvantaged groups: migrants with disabilities. The AMiD official video, testimonies of migrants with disabilities, the human rights-based approach of the UN CRPD- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are ingredients of the cocktail to showcase how better services lead to more inclusive societies.

Costs of participation can be reimbursed from the European Union’s AMIF – Asylum Migration and Integration Fund programme by signing up to this AMiD workshop taking place on Wednesday 3rd of July! How? Keep reading below…

Migrants with disabilities in the spotlight

Over the past few years, Europe has been facing an unprecedented influx of migrants and refugees since the end of the Second World War. The risks for refugees and migrants travelling to Europe remain very high today with more people dying at sea or along land routes while travelling to or crossing a border. In this context, the integration of migrants has become one of the most salient topics in the European political agenda.

When it comes to migrants and refugees with disabilities, the European Council and Parliament Directive 2013/32/EU states that “the reception of persons with special needs should be a primary concern for national authorities in order to ensure that such reception is specifically designed to meet their special reception needs.”

Furthermore, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), ratified by the EU and all the EU member states, requires States Parties to put in place structures that enable the full participation of persons with disabilities in society and to ensure their protection in situations of risk, including armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters.

However, there are multiple obstacles migrants and refugees with disabilities have to face, such as fails to assess their disabilities or the lack of access to social services that address their specific needs. One of the reasons is the lack of a common approach among different actors and the lack of cohesion among Local Authorities concerning the migrants and refugees situation.

Inclusion at the forefront

AER is at the front side when it comes to migration. In 2008, the AER General Assembly adopted the “Tampere Declaration on Migration and Integration”. A political statement on “Facing the migration and refugee challenges” was also adopted by the Bureau in 2015. Furthermore, AER is a partner in a project to support efficient management of the reception and integration of asylum seekers and refugees with disabilities in the EU, the AMiD project. Värmland (SE), Timis (RO) and Valencia (ES) are members of the AMiD – Community Advisory Board. Just last week, the AER Task Force on migration adopted a position “Towards an intercultural Europe”.

An AMiD workshop to stand-up for equal opportunities!

The Summer Academy participants attending this workshop will take-away the following message: migrants with disabilities are in need of welfare support and integral services to fulfil their right to equal opportunities. One expert from the AMiD consortium will conduct this session where the participants will be invited to reflect on the challenges that migrants with disabilities face on a daily basis.

Following this, the AMiD official video and some video-testimonials will be screened in order for the participants to get acquainted with the campaign and the ways they can collaborate to spread the word. The participants will also have the chance to share their experiences when accessing welfare services in a foreign country. The last part of the session will be dedicated to introducing the human rights-based approach and the AMiD’s Needs Assesment Tool (NAT).

Get reimbursed for your participation!

By signing up to this workshop, the participants can benefit from the reimbursement of their trip expenses, accommodation for 2 nights and 3 meals per day at the AER 2019 Summer Academy in Novi Sad, Vojvodina.

Please, read very carefully HERE the guidelines to make sure you meet the requirements and your expenses are eligible for reimbursement! Please, note that you will need a mandate signed by the relevant public authority:

Expenses must be claimed after the Summer Academy and sent to the AER Secretariat until the 15th of July!

For any inquiries regarding the AMiD project or reimbursements, please contact Luca Magri ([email protected]) at the AER Secretariat.

How to participate?

This workshop takes place in the context of the AER Summer Academy 2019.

If you are already registered for the AER Summer Academy and would like to participate in this workshop, you have the possibility to have two nights accommodation and your travel costs reimbursed. Please send an expression of interest to [email protected] via email with the Subject Line “AMiD workshop 2019 Summer Academy – Expression of Interest”.

If you are not already registered for the Summer Academy and wish to participate in this workshop and in many other activities, please visit the event page of the Summer Academy and discover the full programme.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join the Novi Sad 2019 European Youth Capital!

Register for the Summer Academy Now!

If you would like to register for the AMiD workshop only – please email [email protected] with the Subject Line “AMiD workshop 2019 Summer Academy – Expression of Interest”

Follow AER!

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Jönköping’s approach to youth participation

16 May, 2019 By Gisela Guari Cañada

“How to encourage active participation among first-time voters at the local level in the European election?“

Coinciding with the 2019 European Youth Capital, the region of Vojvodina (RS) will host in the city of Novi Sad the AER Summer Academy 2019 from the 1st to the 5th of July. This year’s edition of the Summer Academy entitled Youth is Future, Youth is Europe will be dedicated to reflecting on the Future of Europe from multiple angles and the role that young people can play in building a stronger Europe. The region of Jönköping Iän (SE) will share its experience with the Summer Academy participants in mobilising young people to stand up for Europe and participate in the EU elections. Scroll down to find out more…

You have an appointment with Jönköping Region!

The region of Jönköping Iän (SE) will present on the 2nd of July a successful local project that has encouraged first-time voters to participate in the European elections in Sweden, including various methodologies to raise awareness among the young population on the importance of taking an active role in democratic processes.

Why you should attend this workshop?

Besides finding out more about the Region’s governance, participants will discuss the ins and outs to effectively include young people in public affairs by learning how this Swedish region animates young people to campaign for this year’s European elections. This initiative has been co-developed by the region and the municipality of Jönköping.

Jönköping is sending a message to young Europeans!

It’s Time for EU-fuss (Dags för EU-tjafs) is the name of this project, which aims at boosting the debate around the importance of youth turnout in the upcoming EU elections by simulating a talk show. Through the involvement of some Swedish influencers and singers, many young people from the region of Jönköping attended the events and got a clear message: Go vote!

Meet the speakers!

The region of Jönköping Iän (SE) will be represented by Sophia El Masry, manager of Europe Direct in Jönköping, and Chantal Côté is international strategist in the municipality of Jönköping.

How to participate?

Register Now!

Photo credits: Devin Avery, Unsplash

Follow AER!

What will the future of local and regional news look like? CIRCOM Regional has the answer!

17 April, 2019 By Rosanna Fanni

The 37^th CIRCOM Regional Annual Conference will take place in Novi Sad, Vojvodina, Serbia, on May 30^th and 31^st, 2019. Placing regional broadcasting at the centre, the annual event gathers experts, thinkers and observers of the media world.

This year’s theme, The Future of Regional Media (FoRM), reflects the numerous challenges and recent developments of the news industry. As advanced technologies are the driving force in media, striving for attractive content and excellent quality becomes more important than ever before. Particularly challenging for the industry are changing workflows due to the digitalisation of news consumption nowadays. Across Europe, local and regional news outlets see their business models coming under pressure: When social media and newsfeeds become more popular than the local newspaper, ensuring the future of regional journalism becomes a key priority.

In response to the challenges, investments in a technology-driven future of news are increasing. Robot reporter-machines, automated posting and Artificial Intelligence (AI) – these technologies represent a change for newsrooms. As such, real-time analytics detect trending topics and content consumption to better know what a certain regional audience is interested in. Introducing innovative approaches to targeting audiences and bringing big data on board aims to provide content with impact for people in the regions. This is related to maintaining and regaining trust in quality journalism which remains the key issue against the background of fake news. But are digital technologies really beneficial to creating meaningful content and better bonds with locals?

How are digital technologies affecting the future of regional news? Image: Hal Gatewood/Unsplash

To discuss the aforementioned questions between news outlets, stakeholders and decision-makers, AER welcomes CIRCOM’s Annual Conference on The Future of Regional Media. Interested professionals can now register on the website.

Since 1983, CIRCOM Regional has held yearly Annual Conferences in various regions across Europe. The aim is to share ideas between colleagues – everyone should leave the conference with at least two good ideas which they can adapt in their respective local news outlet. Centring around strategic issues such as content, technology, audience, online production and other broadcasting topics, each conference focuses on a theme being topical for the regional host.

The 37^th Annual Conference coincides with another special occasion: The 2019 European Youth Capital Novi Sad (OPENS). The hosting organisation is RTV – Radio Television of Vojvodina and is based in the capital of AER member region Vojvodina. Novi Sad is situated on the banks of the Danube River and home to 350.000 inhabitants while being the political, administrative, economic, cultural and educational centre of the autonomous province. AER welcomes the choice of location and hosting organization, not least because the AER Summer Academy will also take place in Novi Sad this July.

Follow AER!

2019 AER Summer Academy – Novi Sad, Vojvodina (RS)

17 December, 2018 By Editor

On the occasion of its hosting of the 2019 European Youth Capital, the AER Summer Academy will take place in Novi Sad, Vojvodina (RS) from 1-5 July 2019. This year’s theme is “Youth is future, youth is Europe” in the wake of the 2019 Elections to the European Parliament.

The Future of Europe is YOUth!

Watch the promo video below or on our Facebook page

REGISTRATIONS CLOSED!

Local and regional authorities play a unique articulatory role between citizens and EU institutions. In the context of ongoing discussions on the Future of Europe, regions’ voices are of paramount importance not only to pave the way forward for the EU but also to ensure that citizens are included in the (re)construction process of a more sustainable, social, prosperous and democratic Europe. The only direction to go in is one in which young people are included in EU decision making and at the centre of its policies.

Hence, the participating regions at the 2019 Summer Academy will show off, by exchanging innovative ideas and good practices in various fields, the potential of young people to bring about a social transformation and rethink the way Europe can meet the challenges of the future.

The 2019 Summer Academy will then provide a hub for mutual learning on various topics of great relevance for young people –in line with the European Youth Event Report 2018 – Speak up Europe!:

Youth is democratic participation and European citizenship.
Youth is diversity and equal opportunities for all.
Youth is social entrepreneurship and sharing economy.
Youth is a driving force for green development.

Last but not least, the 2019 Summer Academy programme is offering participants an exciting opportunity to visit on 4 July one of the top European and world music festivals: EXIT music festival!

General Programme

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Jönköping's approach to youth participation

Plenary Presentations

Youth is Social Entrepreneurship and Sharing Economy –Vladimir Nikic, Business Incubator (RS)
AP Vojvodina’s Report – Tamara Glišić-Krivošija (AP Vojvodina, RS)

Workshop Presentations

How to encourage active participation among first-time voters at the local level in the European election? – County of Jönköping (SE)
Youth for Debate – Canton of Zürich (CH)
Participatory budgeting for youth inclusion, AP Vojvodina (RS)
Opportunities for all abilities – AMiD-Access to services for Migrants with Disabilities project
Youth at the forefront of green development, Maramureș County Council (RO)
How to make youth entrepreneurship Smart? – Brussels-Capital Region (BE)
Regional Solutions to Global Challenges in Youth Entrepreneurship – Østfold County Council (NO)
E-Kampen: Become an entrepreneur for a day! – AER Youth Regional Network (YRN)

Pictures

Here you can find all the pictures from the AER 2019 Summer Academy!

Stay in touch!

We know that during the Summer Academy you met a lot of awesome people, and to help you stay in contact with them we have created this Facebook group for all the participants.

Looking back at the 2019 AER Summer Academy in Vojvodina!

Valuable insights and unforgettable experiences

Acknowledgements

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: become a YRN entrepreneur for a day!

E-Kampen: Become an entrepreneur for a day!

How to participate?

Register Now!

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: AMiD workshop on Migrants with Disabilities

“Opportunities for all abilities”

Migrants with disabilities in the spotlight

Inclusion at the forefront

An AMiD workshop to stand-up for equal opportunities!

Get reimbursed for your participation!

How to participate?

Register for the Summer Academy Now!

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Jönköping’s approach to youth participation

“How to encourage active participation among first-time voters at the local level in the European election?“

You have an appointment with Jönköping Region!

Why you should attend this workshop?

Jönköping is sending a message to young Europeans!

Meet the speakers!

How to participate?

Register Now!

What will the future of local and regional news look like? CIRCOM Regional has the answer!

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Jönköping’s approach to youth participation

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Brussels-Capital Region and its commitment to youth entrepreneurship

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Østfold’s Solutions to Youth Entrepreneurship

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Zürich’s Youth for Debate!

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: AMiD workshop on Migrants with Disabilities

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: become a YRN entrepreneur for a day!

Looking back at the 2019 AER Summer Academy in Vojvodina!

Discussing the Future of European Youths at the 2019 Summer Academy

Library

Join AER!

Website map