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