To the attention of press representatives

*AEGEE: 25 years of active citizenship, intercultural dialogue and
borderless Europe*

On April 16th AEGEE (European Students’ Forum), the largest
interdisciplinary youth association in Europe, will turn 25 years old. A
quarter-century ago AEGEE was established by young inspired Europeans,
striving for the development of European integration and the creation of a
true European nation. At a time of Euro-sclerosis students from France,
Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain found the basis for the youth
platform, which now unites more than 15 000 active young people from 42
European countries.

During its historical path AEGEE initiated successful European-wide
initiatives like the Erasmus student exchanges, which empowered the further
development of the European Idea. AEGEE has been constantly giving practical
input to the implementation of the priorities of European Communities
institutions, giving them support from the side of future leaders and
decision-makers.

AEGEE is proud of its strategic role in process of the recognition of
non-formal education. In close cooperation with the European Youth Forum
(YFJ) and other student organizations AEGEE is pursuing this aim on a
long-term basis.

Meanwhile, we are happy to realize that many of AEGEE`s aims have been
successfully achieved since its establishment. The European Union enlarged
drastically, visa problems are becoming less challenging for youth mobility,
higher education is on the way of strategic internationalization. But still,
there are many problems for youth to tackle. The future development of the
Bologna process, academic mobility, youth representation in political
institutions on local, national and supranational level, are among the
topics of today’s youth concern, which AEGEE is engaged in.

Moreover, AEGEE is going beyond the internal European concerns with the
establishment of the “Beyond Europe – Perspectives for Tomorrow’s World”
flagship project for 2010-2011. In the framework of the project active young
Europeans will research and understand the capacity of European influence on
world affairs and intercontinental political, social and cultural agendas.
Challenges, which Europe faces hand in hand with other continents, will be
faced by the future generation and AEGEE is directly contributing with the
creation of a youth group being capable for dealing with them.

Today AEGEE is about the continuous efforts and hard voluntary work for
enforcing and the development of European integration. We create the
generation of a European future – a nation of young Europeans, culturally
different, but united in their values.

Some call it Europe – we call it home!

--
Agnes Leyrer
External Relations Director

AEGEE-Europe / European Students' Forum
Rue Nestor de Tiere 15
B 1030 Brussels
Office: +32 (0)2 246 0323
Mobile: +32 (0)4 87 107 195
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www.aegee.org

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