AEGEE is the future of Europe for 20 years

Between 22nd - 25th September 2005, about 300 AEGEE members, representatives from all the relevant international Youth NGOs with politicians gathered in Praha to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the European Students Forum, review its work and achievements to date, and discuss its and the Youth participation's future expansion since its fairly forgotten after freedom and democracy became taken for granted in the majority of Europe.

"Nowadays Europe is once again passing through a critical turning point following the referenda results and consequences of the enlargement process and the institutions are experiencing a deep failure in outreaching their citizens. At this crucial point AEGEE members have even more important role to play not only to shape but to
re-form Europe." - Burcu Becermen, President of AEGEE-Europe

The three days long conference started with a huge opening ceremony at the Senate with the speeches of the Prime and Vice-prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Czech Senate, Representatives from the Czech Ministry of Education, Radmila Sekerinska and Vaclav Havel - patrons and Franck Biancheri founder of AEGEE - Europe.
With the great contribution of high-profile speakers, through intensive workshops and panel discussions the participants debated on issues like the failure ad the future of the European Constitution, the potential of the enlargement and the youth participation in the process, the role of NGO's in shaping Europe as the playground of the
future leaders, youth mobility, higher education and visa freedom, democracy in Europe - Minorities, xenophobia and human rights - managing ethnic diversity and last but not least about the transatlantic relations and the EU as political actor.

The students were joined by Czech and European politicians, speakers from international institutions (European Commission, Council of Europe, European Parliament, Open Society Institute, Luxembourg Ministry of Youth) and representatives from other organisations ( CEFRES, European youth Forum, Citizens of Europe, Europe 2020,
Newropeans, ESN, European Movement Czech Republic, Team Europe, Civil Society Development Foundation and Democracy International) who contributed their views on the role of youth activism in general in promoting a unified, peaceful and democratic Europe.

AEGEE is one of Europe's largest interdisciplinary student associations, with 15,000 students promoting a unified Europe, cross-border co-operation, democracy, mobility and the European idea to young people through the student world. AEGEE strives to create an open and tolerant society by involving students and young professionals in valuable projects and discussions on topics of importance for the communities they live in. AEGEE is not linked to any political party, and being truly European, has no national structures.

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at: 

Virag Szabo

Vice-President/ Director for Public Relations
European Students' Forum - AEGEE

Rue Nestor de Tiere 15
1030 Bruxelles
Phone: +32 2 245 23 00
Fax: +32 2 245 62 60
Web: www.aegee.org  
Email: [log in to unmask]

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