The world of bees, the future of young people in Europe and the topic of sustainability were the focal points of the second edition of “EYFON meets FRIDA” from 22 to 26 May in cooperation with Fridagymnasiet Mölnlycke (Sweden), Gymnasium Anton Martin Slomšek (Maribor/Slovenia) and BG/BRG Lichtenfels (Graz). The 16 pupils and 6 teachers were able to get to know the topics of bees, sustainability and Europe from different perspectives during a varied programme in the Europaburg in Neumarkt, the Zirbitzkogel-Grebenzen region, in Bad Blumau and in Vienna.
First on the programme was a visit to the Natural History Museum in Neumarkt, where, in addition to the show beehive and interesting information about the life of bees in the hive, the participants also enthusiastically explored the other areas of the museum. The pupils were then able to take a look behind the scenes at the Maier family’s organic beekeeping business in Mühlen, where they were able to spin honey themselves and taste it. The highlight of the week was a guided tour of the “Frutura Glass House” in Bad Blumau, where the participants were given an insight into sustainable vegetable cultivation, the role of bees and bumblebees in pollinating plants and the apple and bee project. Claudia Weyringer from the EYFON team organised a workshop on the topic of “My future in Europe”, in which questions such as “What makes you feel European?”, “Europe without the EU” and “Europe in the year 3000” were discussed in working groups. During a visit to the “Johann hydrogen plant” in Murau, the pupils also learnt about examples of sustainability in the region. In addition to the specialist programme, there was also plenty of fun – as well as the high ropes course in Oberwölz, “teamgeist” inspired the young people with speed dating, archery in the castle courtyard and a tabtour through Neumarkt, where they had to solve questions and tasks relating to bees and Europe.
The eventful week ended with an invitation to the Swedish Embassy in Vienna, where the young people discussed the current Swedish Presidency, the work of the Swedish Embassy, differences in the education systems of Austria and Sweden and current European issues with Ms Helena Zimmerdahl and Mr Mårten Frankby, Counsellor at the Embassy, EYFON President Christoph Leitl and Managing Director Christian Buchmann.
The European Youth Forum Neumarkt visits the Austrian Parliament in Vienna.
Vienna/Graz (OTS) – The Styrian initiative EYFON visited the Parliament and City Hall in Vienna as part of Europe Day. Europe Day is an important occasion, especially for young Europeans, to raise awareness of Europe and its peace project and to get actively involved.
Europe Day 2023 was characterised by an informative tour of the newly renovated Parliament, a stimulating discussion between the pupils from Graz and the President of EYFON, Dr Christoph Leitl, and the Managing Director, Christian Buchmann. Topics such as climate change, day-to-day political issues and the history of the founding of the European Union were discussed in detail and at eye level. “If you all think about the future, it is not only connected to Austria, but also to Europe and the whole world,” said EYFON President Dr Christoph Leitl.
The “EYFONISTAS” were then invited to the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Vienna European Department. The guests were welcomed by Vienna’s Mayor Dr Michael Ludwig and Martin Selmayr, Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Austria, during a ceremonial opening by the children’s choir of the City of Vienna. The speeches were followed by a stimulating panel discussion with Mario Holzner, Andrea Schmidt and Katharina Bayer. The grand finale was the award ceremony for the European State Prize 2023 in the Sofiensäle. EYFON was nominated with the project “Welcome Ukraine” and was one of the best among the best. “It’s your future and we want to support and motivate you,” said EYFON Managing Director Christian Buchmann.
One of our partners, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, has recently set up a new website (http://euwissen.at) that explains and visualises the EU using digital learning tracks (animations, videos, some also in English) followed by a quiz. These learning routes range from the history with the symbols, the institutions and the legislative process to the European Semester. The popular myths brochure is also included.
The following topics are planned until the end of the year: Economic and monetary union, Schengen, enlargement and the single market.
Our 2022 annual report is ready – a colourful booklet full of highlights with personal impressions and insights from the EYFONISTAS and an outlook on our projects and activities in the coming season.
The German version can be downloaded for free HERE. An English version is in the works and will be released in early 2023.
If you would like to receive a printed copy, please send a short e-mail with your name and postal address to office@eyfon.at.
EYFONISTAS FOR PEACE – a season finale in the name of peace
Vienna/Graz (OTS) – A successful season for the European Youth Forum Neumarkt (EYFON) came to an end on Friday with an atmospheric chestnut festival in the castle courtyard of Europaburg Neumarkt. Previously, 35 pupils and students from Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Montenegro, Austria, Poland and Ukraine had spent a week discussing their ideas and thoughts on peace and freedom in Europe as part of a “European Peace Event”. The result – a “Declaration of Peace” – was presented by the young Europeans to the guests in attendance:
“We, the young people from many European countries gathered at Europaburg Neumarkt for a peace seminar, only want one thing: peace!
War causes death, suffering, destruction, displacement and pain. Why can’t we live together in peace so that young people in particular have a chance to develop their talents and lead a life according to their own ideas? A life in a world worth living!
We call on all those responsible to commit to returning to dialogue. To sit down together, talk to each other and find solutions. You owe this to the young people of Europe and the world.
We young Europeans ask you: Get to work for peace in Europe!”
During the seminar week, it became clear how much the personal experiences, but also the cultural and historical backgrounds of the individual young people characterise their opinions on the current war. As the Ukrainian participants were individually affected, many discussions were conducted with strong emotions, but without losing sight of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and a common desire – peace in freedom.
EYFON President Christoph Leitl and Managing Director Christian Buchmann, who will work to ensure that this declaration is heard by the right people, thanked the guests, friends, partners and sponsors of EYFON for their support and their important investment in the future of Europe – our youth.
The EYFON | MAGNA Apprentice Days took place for the fourth time since 2018. From 19 to 22 September, 25 apprentices from MAGNA Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik Graz, MAGNA Presstec and MAGNA Heavy Stamping took the opportunity to discuss topics such as sustainability, peace and their own future in Europe, to strengthen team spirit and to get to know their colleagues better. In addition to various activities with the Young European Federalists Styria (JEF), a podcast workshop with Markus Plasencia and Konrad Fellerer from Panthersie für Europa and a discussion round on current European topics with Dr Claudia Weyringer (EYFON), a MAGNA company presentation with Dr Gerald Harzl, Vice President HR Europe, rounded off the professional programme. During the varied leisure activities with go-karting at the Red Bull Ring, archery on the Kreischberg and a “Europe” tab tour with teamgeist, the apprentices were able to demonstrate their stamina and dexterity as well as their creativity.
EYFON thanks MAGNA for the good co-operation and looks forward to more successful Apprentice Days in the coming years!
What it feels like to be part of the international family
Ana Khvedelidze, Volunteer
I am an 18-year-old student from Georgia and currently live in Neumarkt in Styria. I am studying strategic communication and journalism.
Leaving the comfort zone always seemed quite easy for me. The thought that I was ready to experience something new was always in my head until I discovered that I never actually left the comfort zone I had created for myself. Studying at university, working and doing it all over again.
The decision to leave my country for 3 months and embark on this wonderful journey was a bit spontaneous. 3 months in Austria is exactly what I needed to challenge myself. Changing my everyday life completely (with no idea what it will be like) is scary, but in the meantime the most exciting and unexpected thing.
My goal for this journey is to enjoy the little things I will accomplish and the friendships I will make; to let go of the fear of the future and to be fully present in the present.
Looking back on the first event I attended, I can hardly find words to express the feelings I experienced. The Europaburg, filled with participants from different countries who have the same view of Europe, is the aim of EYFON. Discussions, getting to know each other’s cultures and learning to live together peacefully despite major differences are what our projects stand for. For many people, understanding the term “European” is not a matter of course. That is why EYFON wants to spread information about the EU and the importance of European unity. Furthermore, our aim is to connect and unite very different people. We know that when participants leave the castle, they feel a special bond that creates a sense of togetherness, a feeling of being a European.
So far we have had 4 projects and 2 guest events. Our projects are dedicated to peace and co-operation, which is the most important topic nowadays. We have had participants from Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Italy, Serbia, Poland, Latvia, Bulgaria, Romania and Kosovo. In addition to receiving the guests in our castle, we also organised an event at the French Embassy in Vienna. The 7th grade students from Graz showed their interest in international affairs and took part in the discussion. They were informed about the importance of relations between France and Austria. They had the opportunity to ask questions on the topic and received detailed answers. Following the discussion, they were able to take part in an atmospheric evening with a classical concert and a buffet.
One of the first events I had the honour of attending was on 4-9 July. Young people aged 18-22 from 5 different countries exchanged views and discussed the future of Europe. The participants from Ukraine, Italy, Latvia, Poland and Georgia joined forces during these days. In the seminars, they dealt with the EU, the future of Europe, what fake news means and how to avoid it. The exchange of ideas and sharing of culture brought them closer to Europe.
In addition to the seminars, they took part in various activities, such as tape art, raft building and archery. They spent the evenings playing volleyball, tennis, darts and many board games. On 7 July, we opened the castle to everyone who wanted to show their support for Ukraine and the refugees from Ukraine. After the celebration, the guests had the opportunity to enjoy Ukrainian food.
To bring people from different cultures together, we organised an international evening where participants presented their traditional food and drinks.
One of the participants shared his feedback with us: “I think the purpose of the seminar was achieved as we are all aware that we are part of a larger community without borders that goes beyond the EU and includes all our nationalities (Georgians, Ukrainians, Latvians, Poles, Italians). The strong bond that has been created has already led us to organise more meetings and trips to other countries, and I am pretty sure that this will not diminish in the coming years.” It is worth mentioning that each of them was willing to stay for more days and come back in the future.
The last event took place on 1-5 August at Europeburg Castle. The age group was 14-17 years old and we made sure that they felt at home in our castle. They were enthusiastic about the place itself. Activities like domino rally and go-karting were their favourites. We had a workshop about podcasts and they created a podcast about peace and freedom. They also learned about the opportunities the EU offers, including volunteering, travel and exchange programmes.
It is a pleasure to welcome so many young people who are open to change. The projects evoke many feelings: Curiosity when learning about different topics, joy when making friends, sadness when saying goodbye and a willingness to come back in the future.
It is really fascinating to see how the connections have developed after just a few days. And the crucial thing is that the participants maintain this unity not only over a longer period of time, but for years to come.
With the power of EYFON, a small castle became home to thousands of people from all over Europe.
