EYFON organizes various seminars and formats for European young people. As part of the pilot project “VWA – get prepared”, which we are cooperating for the first time this year with several grammar schools in Graz (Akademisches Gymnasium, BG/BRG Kirchengasse, BG/BRG Lichtenfels, Ursulinen) In order to support the students in finding topics and planning their pre-scientific work, we recently visited some EU-relevant institutions in Vienna and met and listened to a number of exciting speakers on selected EU topics.
A tour of the Austrian Mint with Dr. Claus Fischer, who gave the young people insights into coinage and answered their questions about the future of cash, alternative payment methods and cryptocurrencies. Mag. Yasmin Soetopo gave the students an overview of the institutional development of the EU during a lecture in the premises of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. The next day, a visit to the Austrian National Bank and exciting discussions with Dkfm and DiplVW Klaus Prömpers and Philipp Leindl from the Team Europe – Spokesperson Service of the European Commission were on the agenda. In addition to current EU issues, the conference focused on asylum policy, the Schengen system and human rights in the EU. Dr. Thomas Steiner gave the young people insights into the work areas of the Austrian National Bank and was available to answer questions on various topics such as the digital euro, interest rate policy and cash. The event concluded with a tour of the Money Museum, where the group learned more about the history of cash, coins and means of payment in general.
This project will be continued with an event in Graz in spring 2024 and a seminar at our Europaburg in autumn 2024. Here, newcomers from participating schools are also invited and we plan to continue this format in the coming years. The discussion and dialogue with young people is a central concern of our events and we are convinced to make a valuable and constant contribution to the European consciousness.
EYFON would like to thank the Münze Österreich and the OeNB for their friendly welcome. Many thanks also to all speakers for the exciting insights and the participating students and teachers for their commitment and interest in the discussions and lectures.
