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Spindelegger: "Actively integrate students in the dialogue on Europe" |
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 Presentation of the new EU exhibition for schools in the Foreign Ministry - Foreign Minister proposes EU envoys in schools
Vienna, 7 May 2010 - "Honest, practiced dialogue is the most effective
means against EU scepticism. This was also confirmed by the experiences I
have had during the European Dialogue Tour in recent months. It is
imperative to include the youth in this dialogue - because the young
will be shaping Europe's future. Therefore, we must face up to their
critical questions more often than we have done so in the past, and we
must deal with their concerns and expectations on the EU", said Foreign
Minister Michael Spindelegger during the presentation of the newly
designed exhibition in the Foreign Ministry titled "The EU & You - a
success story with a future“.
„Europe is not a remote project implemented in Brussels, but something
that concerns us all. Therefore, everyone is invited to contribute and
actively shape the process“ said Spindelegger. The Foreign Minister
specially thanked the teachers for their commitment to imparting
knowledge on Europe: "The teachers are important allies in our work on
Europe. Their commitment to bringing the European project closer to the
students is indispensable."
In order to firmly integrate the dialogue on Europe into schools,
Spindelegger will propose the creation of a network of European envoys
in schools during the next meeting of the council of ministers: „These
European envoys in schools could become contact partners and
coordinators for the information work on Europe in their respective
school, and establish a regular exchange of opinions among each other on
specific projects, activities, and best practices“, said the Minister.
The event in the Foreign Ministry on the occasion of Europe Day on 9 May
was attended by 150 students from Vienna and Lower Austria, as well as
by Klaus Liebscher, the President of the Austrian Society for European
Policy, and Richard Kühnel, Head of the Representation of the European
Commission in Vienna.
The previous version of the exhibition successfully toured through 96
schools throughout Austria in the last two years: "This travelling
exhibition reached an audience of over 13,000 students. I am sure that
we will succeed in repeating this magnificent result. The objective of
the exhibition is to inform young people on the various chances and
opportunities offered by the European Union, and to encourage them to
actively seize these", said the Foreign Minister.
The event also featured a quiz on Europe among the students. Among
others, the winners will receive a European information trip to Brussels
sponsored by Austrian Airlines, and the album „Passport and Souvenirs“
by the Austrian rock band „Across the Delta“, scheduled to be released
on 28 May 2010. Generously sponsored by ink.music.
Contact:
Federal Ministry for
European and International Affairs
Press Department
Tel.: ++43 (0) 50 1150-3262, 4549, 4550, 3739
Fax: ++43 (0) 50 1159-213
abti3(at)bmeia.gv.at
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