SPRING DAY IN EUROPE
Information note

What is the origin of the project?

In the context of the wide-ranging debate on the future of Europe and the work of the Convention, a number of convention members considered it necessary to raise the awareness of young Europeans of the challenges of Europe. Beginning in 2003, they proposed the development of the “Spring Day in Europe” operation, providing an opportunity for pupils and their teachers to obtain information on Europe and to contribute to it. This first initiative was a great success, involving over 5 000 schools and reaching nearly 750 000 pupils. 

The Council of Ministers recently called upon the Member States and the Commission to implement specific communication measures in response to the need to provide information for all pupils on the theme of the future of the European Union. In response to this call, the Commission took the initiative of organising, in collaboration with the European institutions, a new edition of “Spring Day in Europe”. Through this operation, it is encouraging schools in all the Member States and candidate countries to develop teaching activities on European questions.
 
What is the objective of the project?
 
Following the signature of the Constitution by the Heads of State and of Government, “Spring Day in Europe” is intended to establish a dialogue between pupils, teachers and players in the European Union about their vision of Europe and its future. It enables young people to gain a vivid awareness of European questions and to integrate them into their study programme. 

More specifically, schools are invited to organise, on 17 March 2005, a European day of exchanges, debates and meetings with local, regional, national or international personalities, giving pupils and teachers the opportunity to gain information and a better understanding of the European project. Schools are also encouraged to take part in discussion forums and teaching activities on the operation of the institutions and on the values of Europe. “Spring Day in Europe” is a marvellous opportunity for young people, as citizens and players in the Europe of tomorrow, to share their experiences.

In order to make this initiative another success, all European, national, regional and local decision-makers are called upon to encourage participation by as many schools as possible and to take part on 17 March 2005 in meetings organised in schools. 

In order to facilitate the operation, the European Commission has established, with the assistance of European Schoolnet, a consortium formed by the Ministries of Education in over 25 countries, a system for registration, contact and information between participants. Teaching tools have been developed with an experienced team of teachers to enable those teachers who so wish to prepare their project in greater depth.

“Spring Day in Europe” is a decentralised operation in which schools are invited to take part in their own way and in line with their own resources. These initiatives may take different forms: an information session followed by a discussion, a meeting with a personality involved in European questions (elected representatives, professional or social representatives, etc.), or a debate within the school or between pupils from schools in different regions and countries, particularly through the Internet.

Who can take part and how can they register?

“Spring Day in Europe” is aimed primarily at secondary education establishments (general, vocational and technical). Any primary schools that so wish may also take part in certain activities. 

Registration is by electronic means. Interested schools are invited to place their details on the “Spring Day in Europe” website, together with those of the teacher or principal in charge of the event, project, or activity which they intend to carry out to mark the occasion.

In order to provide a face for Europe, the presence at these activities of persons with a knowledge of European questions, particularly elected representatives, is highly recommended. Similarly, plans to bring together establishments and pupils from several countries are encouraged.

At the end of “Spring Day in Europe”, registered establishments which have forwarded a summary of their event or a contribution will receive a certificate of participation from the European authorities.

To obtain information or to take part

The European Schoolnet (EUN) network provides practical support for the operation as part of a project financed by the information programme for European citizens (Prince). It is developing a range of activities, tools, services and networks in support of this operation.

For all information, please refer first of all to the operation’s website at http://futurum2005.eun.org and, if necessary, to:

Brigitte Parry
European Schoolnet Network (EUN) - “Spring Day in Europe” Project
e-mail: brigitte.parry@eun.org   ■   Telephone: + 32 2 790 75 75   ■   Fax: + 32 2 790 75 85 

NB: Commission department in charge of support for this operation
Secretariat-General, Future of the Union Task Force, “Public debate on the future of Europe” Unit – Head of Unit: Gérard Legris (+ 32 2 299 94 06) – Project leader: Catherine Renard (+ 32 2 295 07 02)

http://futurum2005.eun.org