Spring
Day in Europe is a unique opportunity for young Europeans
to get to know their peers in other European countries,
to work together with them on different activities, to
cultivate friendships and to learn about values that are
so important when living in the same European space. The
aim of the project is to give them an opportunity to speak
outwardly about the events that are going on in Europe
and about its future. Young people have the right to express
their opinions and viewpoints and to be informed. They
have the opportunity to discuss European affairs and other
important issues that will certainly have a great impact
on their future lives.
The
energy that was put into this year's project proves that
young Europeans are not indifferent to the events that
take place around them. Their voice was heard through
chats, video conferences, round table discussions, workshops,
quizzes, concerts and cultural presentations of all sorts.
Even though this year's theme, the European Constitution,
was a difficult one, we succeeded in finding various ways
of bringing it closer to young people of all ages and
helping them understand its importance.
This
year more than 6700 educational institutions from Europe
and abroad took part in the project. 135 of them were
from Slovenia. Thousands of young people focused on European
affairs in numerous ways. This year Spring Day was also
dedicated to solidarity because of the tragedy in Beslan
in September and the tsunami tragedy in southeast Asia
A symbolic beginning of Spring Day 2005 was marked by
the ringing of the world peace bell on 17th March, 2005
at exactly 10a.m. in memory of the victims of these two
tragedies. It is of vital importance that young people
are reminded that everyone in the world is not as well
off as we may think and that it is important to remember
them and if possible help them.
Spring Day is an opportunity for young people to join
thousands of other young Europeans in moulding together
a new European community. And this is vitally important
for Europe's future.
Thank
you for joining us.
Magdalena
Bobek (pedagogical advisor for Spring Day 2005)
SPRING
DAY ACTIVITIES |
