Young European Federalists · seminar on “Better Understanding and Knowledge of Web 2.0 Tools for Youth Organisations” in the European Youth Centre Strasbourg and JEF also was

NEWSLETTER of the

Young European FederalistsISSUE 22/2009

CONTENT I I. JEF NEWSI.A: JEF season's greetingI.B: 'Jour fixe' of JEFers in BrusselsI.C: EB meetingI.C: JEF takes part in the consultation on the European citizens’ initiative II. ACTIVE JEFII.A: External representation of JEF Europe in BrusselsII.B: JEF's contribution to the Green Paper on Promoting the Learning Mobility of Young PeopleII.C: Discovering web 2.0 II.D: Less talk and more action for a world beyond carbon III. [email protected]: Europe@myDesk in PortoIII.B: Europe@myDesk in BudapestIV. NEWS FROM thenewfederalist.euIV.A: What religion for the EU?IV.B: Lisbon treaty enters into force – so does the European Citizens' Initiative IV.C: Goldstone Report: The impact of international fact-findingV. PARTNERS & OTHER EVENTSV.A: Call for partners: Gantalcalá Youth ExchangeV.B: EU searches for journalism's next young starsV.C: European LetterV.D: EUROPE & ME magazine looks for new team membersV.E: EAVI study on media literacy in Europe VI. JOBS ADVERTISMENT & INTERNSHIPSVI.A: Call for applications for the post of Secretary General of JEF-EuropeVI.B: Communications internship at CAN-EUVII. CALENDAR OF EVENTSVIII. CONTACT

JEF INFONewsletter of the Young European Federalists

I. JEF NEWS I

2

I.A: JEF season's greetingWith the last edition of the JEF INFO in 2009, the European Secretariat of JEF wishes you all the best for the upcoming year and happy end-of-the-year celebrations!We will be back in Brussels from 4 January, which means that you will receive the next JEF INFO in mid-January 2010.

I.B: 'Jour fixe' of JEFers in BrusselsThe ‘jour fixe’ of JEF in Brussels already became a nice tradition! At the first Wednesday of every month we meet in the restaurant Ultime Atome ( 14, rue Saint Boniface, 1050 Bruxelles). In order to reserve a table, please confirm your participation either with a short email to [email protected] or via the facebook event that you will find at the JEF fan page. Of course not only active members of JEF are welcome, but also Alumni or people who are just interested in what we do and who we are. So if you happen to be in Brussels for the next ‘jour fixe’ at Wednesday, 6 January 2010 around 7 pm feel free to join us for a drink (or a meal) and a nice evening in the Ultime Atome

JEF INFONewsletter of the Young European Federalists

3

I.C: EB meeting

From 4-6 December 2009 the new EB held its first meeting in Brussels and the Flemish sea-side resort of De Haan. The EB got familiar with the location and daily-routine of the European Secretariat and was briefed by the Secretary-General Peter and Project Assistant Matej on the current projects.In De Haan the EB finalised its discussion on the division of tasks among EB members – organisational, thematic and geographical responsibilities, as well as the contacts with Political Commissions (PCs) and Working Groups (Wgs).

Who is “my EB member”? In order to answer this question for JEF sections and their members here's an overview of the geographical responsibilities of the new EB members: Pauline Gessant [[email protected]], senior Vice-President: FR, IE, LU, PL, RO and UKIngvil Louise Nürnberg [[email protected]], junior Vice-President: AR, AZ, BY, GE, IS,MD,NO, RU, UEMartin Fischer [[email protected]], EB member: AT, CH, CZ, DE, GR, HU and SEElisabeth Velle [[email protected]], EB member: BE, DK, EE, FI, LT, LV, NL, SK and TKJoan-Manuel Lanfranco-Pari [[email protected]], EB member: CY, ES, IT, MT and PTJulia Mikić [[email protected]], EB member: AL, BA, BG, HR, MK, MN, RS, SI and Kosovo

While you can always contact the President Philippe Adriaenssens [[email protected]], the Treasurer Till Burckhardt [[email protected]] and/or the Secretary-General Peter Matjašič [[email protected]] for whatever pressing issues you might have.

Moreover, the EB had a strategic brainstorming on the following two years and agreed, among others, on the following priorities:

• strengthening of JEF-Europe on the inside (building up new sections, consolidating and providing assistance to existing sections as well as help re-launch JEF where needed, encourage exchanges of best practices between sections, provide more and better training for our members)

• making JEF-Europe more relevant within our network and especially outside (reaching out more) promote innovative political ideas (JEF, a generation ahead) as stated in the political program adopted in Florence.

You will be able to read the full minutes of the meeting soon under the JEF DOCS area of www.jef.eu. If you have any questions that you would like to address to the EB as whole you can also contact them directly via the simple [email protected] email address.

JEF INFONewsletter of the Young European Federalists

II. ACTIVE JEF I

4

I.D: JEF takes part in the consultation on the European citizens’ initiativeThe Commission has just launched its consultation on the "one million citizen's initiative". Please find all info at: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/secretariat_general/citizens_initiative/index_en.htm

JEF-Europe is going to contribute to this important consultation (and of course national sections can do the same). Deadline for submitting your input is 31st January 2010.

If you have comments, ideas etc. that you would like us to include in the JEF-Europe answer, please send them to [email protected]. We will gather your contributions and include them in the final submission.

II.A: External representation of JEF Europe in BrusselsJEF-Europe President Philippe Adriaenssens was present at a presentation given by the "EU 2020 Prospective Club" (26 Nov) which shed an enriching light on the potential developments in our society during the next decade. It provided interesting food for thought that federalists - as a generation ahead - will definitely take into account in their policies. Participating in a discussion over lunch with MEP Jean-Luc Dehaene in the European Parliament (30 Nov), JEF-Europe President asked the former Vice-President of the Convention on the Future of the EU which priorities he was seeing for the European Citizen's Initiative (ECI). European citizens have time until 31 January 2010 to answer to the Green Paper of the Commission on the Regulation concerning the ECI and Mr. Dehaene advised to opt for a petition on a concrete policy field in which the Commission clearly has competences once the ECI has become operational. On 1 December, JEF-Europe celebrated the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty during a big reception in the European Parliament organised by the Federalist Intergroup. Furthermore, JEF Europe President and Secretary-General met up with the Political Party Youth Organisations at the premises of the European Youth Forum on 2 December to give a presentation on the ECI and urge the other organisations to participate in the consultation process organised by the Commission. On 11 December, JEF Europe President visited MEP Andrew Duff, President of the UEF, in his office in the European Parliament to exchange ideas and talk about the political and organisational future of the federalist movement. It was a very open, positive and fruitful discussion that allowed both organisations to strengthen their mutual ties. Last weekend, JEF-Europe was also represented in the Political Committees of the European Movement International where we actively contributed to the debates on certain key issues for Europe's future such as environmental and economic governance. Last week also saw JEF-Europe's presence at three pre-Christmas receptions of our partner organisations: EUD/UEF on 10 December, our neighbouring EEE-YFU on 11 December and AEGEE's reception on 12 December.

JEF INFONewsletter of the Young European Federalists

5

II.C: Discovering web 2.0From 3 – 5 December 2009 the European Youth Forum invited participants from various youth organisations to take part in the seminar on “Better Understanding and Knowledge of Web 2.0 Tools for Youth Organisations” in the European Youth Centre Strasbourg and JEF also was present.

The workshops and discussion rounds were completed by an interactive simulation on how to create a web 2.0 based youth campaign and by the creation of a wiki platform which is supposed to serve as a basic reference point for all youth organisations on the topic and should be updated constantly by all people interested to contribute (seminar wiki: http://youthforumwebhandbook.wikispaces.com/). If you would like to share some of your knowledge about web 2.0, just click on Join, create a wikispaces account and request membership! Otherwise just have a look and increase your knowledge!

Official website of the European Youth Forum about the seminar: http://www.youthforum.org/en/web2-0

II.B: JEF's contribution to the Green Paper on Promoting the Learning Mobility of Young PeopleOn 14 December 2009 the Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe) submitted a contribution to the consultation on the Green Paper on Promoting the Learning Mobility of Young people.Young people today have many possibilities to move freely and independently around Europe. However, there are still obstacles to overcome and chances to be made. As a general task to tackle would be to mention an increase of the possibilities to get education; the mobility increases with the degree of education achieved. Young people from educationally disadvantaged levels often don't know about the mobility possibilities and thus do not make use of them. Therefore it’s fundamental that education is improved and increased at all levels. Furthermore, we need broader informational services than present, to inform the youngsters about their options and possibilities.You can read the recommendations proposed by JEF at www.jef.eu.

II.D: Less talk and more action for a world beyond carbon JEF published a press release on the Copenhagen climate conference, you can read an extract below and the whole text at our website:

“The Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe) welcome the UN Copenhagen talks on Climate Change, which were solemnly opened last week. Nonetheless, talks are not enough and JEF-Europe demands a bold, binding and long-term environmental deal because climate change is not only a global threat to human, economic and social rights but also risks to put at stake the stability of democratic regimes through conflict over scarce resources and mass migration.” Please find the full text here:http://www.jef.eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=658&Itemid=1

JEF INFONewsletter of the Young European Federalists

III. EUROPE@MYDESK I

For more information about the project Europe@myDesk and the specific DeskEvents, please visit the special homepage: www.europeatmydesk.eu

6

III.B: Europe@myDesk in BudapestJEF-Hungary, in partnership with JEF-Europe, organised a DeskEvent in Budapest from the 30th November to the 3rd December.As in the other DeskEvent, workshops dedicated to Project Management and to youth journalism took place at the University.A public debate about the “place of Hungary in the European Union” was held at the University Corvinius. Egon Dienes-Oehm Egon, ex-ambassador and teacher at the University, Szilvia Kalmár Redactor in chief of Euractiv in Hungary and István Hegedűs, President of the Hungarian Europe Society, were our guests. Different topics like the Hungarian presidency (2011) of the European Council and the effect of the general elections in spring 2010 to the Presidency were discussed. The public asked a lot of questions and was very active in the discussion. A special thanks to JEF-Hungary, especially to Eszter Minich, Agnes Portik and to Roman Fleißner!

III.A: Europe@myDesk in Porto

JEF-Europe went to two different high schools to present the European Institutions and programmes like Erasmus, Comenius, EVS or Leonardo. Moreover the trainers proposed a workshop on project management (How to organise an event in their school?). The trainers could share their experiences because each of them participated in the Erasmus Programme (Åsa in Lisbonne, Iohanna in Stockholm and Miguel in Brussels). Åsa was also an European volunteer (EVS) in Berlin for a few months.

They encouraged the pupils to be active citizens and participate to the DeskChallenge. 3 Days in Brussels to discover the European institutions should motivate them to be active in their city! We wish all the participants good luck!

JEF INFONewsletter of the Young European Federalists

IV. NEWS FROM thenewfederalist.eu I

Continue reading the above stated articles and find articles on different topics at http://www.thenewfederalist.eu/

JOIN thenewfederalist.eu team either by writing, translating or editing articles - if you are interested to test your journalistic skills write to our Editor-in-Chief Elena Montani ([email protected])

7

IV.A: What religion for the EU?Sunday 13 December 2009 by Alessio Pisanò The European Court of Human Right’s judgement on the crucifix in classrooms caused worries throughout Europe. But what is the matter with the EU? Is a “convivencia” still possible nowadays? If you thought that religious wars and crusades were over then you are deeply mistaken. In the wake of the judgement of the European Court of Human Right concerning the crucifix in classrooms a plethora of protests has arisen, above all in the most catholic countries in the South and East of Europe.

IV.B: Lisbon treaty enters into force – so does the European Citizens' Initiative Friday 11 December 2009 by Carsten BergThe Lisbon Treaty entered into force (December 1) and various groups have contacted us seeking for advice on how to prepare and conduct a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). Educational issues are at stake, calling for a new structure of the European Bachelor/Master study programme (...) as well as environmental and social issues such as the protection of water and public services. In other words: people are looking forward to lift their voices through ECI. (part 1)

IV.C: Goldstone Report: The impact of international fact-findingMonday 7 December 2009, by René Wadlow “Accountability for breaches of international humanitarian law and for human rights violations, as well as respect for human rights, are not obstacles to peace, but rather the preconditions on which trust and, ultimately, a durable peace can be built.”

JEF INFONewsletter of the Young European Federalists

V. PARTNERS & OTHER EVENTS I

8

V.A: Call for Partners: Gantalcalá Youth ExchangeA group of 4 young people, members of Gantalcalá Youth Association, is very interested and highly motivated in preparing a Youth Exchange project (Sub-Action 1.1, Youth in Action Programme) to be submitted to the 1st February deadline.

During the last 2 years these youngsters have participated in several Youth Exchanges across Europe, and after the experience and knowledge they have gained abroad, they have jointly decided, with the support of Gantalcalá Youth Association, to host a European Youth Exchange in their home city, Alcalá de Guadaíra (Spain).

During the last weeks, with the support of a professional coach from Gantalcalá Youth Association, the youngsters have been discussing about themes and dates for the Youth Exchange. They have decided to prepare a Youth Exchange which will use DRAMA as a tool to make young people aware that they are European Citizens, by giving them the opportunity to learn and to understand the origin, past, present and future of the European Union, in a non-formal and active way. They have initially decided to carry out the Youth Exchange activity from 20.06.2010 to 27.06.2010. (To be discussed with selected Partners organisations)

At this time, they are looking for Sending Organisations from at least 9 EU countries, each of them will have to send a group of 4 young people (2 girls and 2 boys) aged between 15 and 17 years old, plus an adult Group Leader. If your organisation is interested in being one of the 9 Sending Organisations for this Project, we kindly ask you:

1) To fill the on-line Partner Application Form

2) To fill (only one page) the "Part III.doc" (please contact Gantalcalá Youth Association to receive this form, as we cannot attach any documents to the newsletter) , sing it, stamp it and send it to:

Gantalcalá Youth AssociationArroyo 89, 2ºB41.008 - Sevilla SPAIN

DEADLINE: 8.01.2010

The selection process will be carry out from 11th to 14th January, and selected organisations will be informed on 15th January 2010.

JEF INFONewsletter of the Young European Federalists

9

V.C: European LetterThe "Action Committee for a European Federal State", a splinter group of MFE (UEF-Italy), published a 'European Letter' of which you can find an extract below:

"On December 1st, 2010 the Lisbon Treaty, at the end of eight long and extremely difficult years of proposals, rejections and defeats, finally came into force. Ultimately, however, the outcome of this tortured process is commensurate neither with the initial expectations of the Treaty, nor with the considerable effort that has been expended on it. The 27-member EU may have equipped itself with a more rational framework for managing its ordinary affairs, but it has also shown that it now has no leeway for further revisions, to say nothing of ambitious political projects. Thus, Europe has seemingly entered a new chapter, but only to show that, in the wake of the creation of the single currency, German reunification and EU enlargement, the European project has ground to a halt in a market-based cooperation and integration agreement between heterogeneous states that have no wish to relinquish their sovereignty and still hope that globalization can be tackled using instruments of national power and intergovernmental institutions.In the political framework of the 27-member Union, ..." To download the text of the European Letter in different languages go to: English - http://www.euraction.org/lett/N52.pdf French - http://www.euraction.org/lett/LF5212.pdf German - http://www.euraction.org/lett/B5212.pdf Italian - http://www.euraction.org/lett/L5212.pdf

V.B: EU searches for Journalism’s Next Young Stars

Brussels, 20 October 2009 - The European Commission’s Directorate General for Enlargement has launched the European Young Journalist Award 2010 (EYJA). for the third year running.

The EYJA 2010 challenges journalists and journalism students, aged 17 – 35, to enlarge their vision and represent EU Enlargement from creative and thought-provoking angles. The competition runs until 28 February 2010. Print, online and radio journalism, published between 1 October 2007 and 28 February 2010, can be submitted by citizens of one of the EU Member States, Candidate Countries, Potential Candidates or Iceland.

The 36 national winners, who will participate in a cultural and historical trip and conference in Istanbul, will be selected by official juries in each participating country. An international jury will then select the three best submissions in the following categories: “Most original report”, “Best research” and “Best journalistic style.” Each of the three Special Prize winners will receive a cultural trip, to a European capital of their choice. For information on how to enter the competition, please visit www.EUjournalist-award.eu

JEF INFONewsletter of the Young European Federalists

10

V.D: EUROPE & ME magazine looks for new team members Europe & Me (http://www.europeandme.eu) is Europe's first online lifestyle magazine created by young Europeans for young Europeans. It's a project aimed at intrepid explorers of Europe - people who want to find out what it means to be European. If our magazine went on a journey, it'd start with breakfast in Krakow, then sneak into the premiere of a Russian film, before discussing French politics loudly in Spanish in a London pub – and it'd finish the trip by going on a date in Budapest and waking up hangover in Berlin. Having published six successful issues, we're looking for young Europeans who want to get involved. Here's your chance to join us and become part of Europe & Me, either working on the business side of things or becoming one of our editors.

Advertising sales: Help our magazine grow by finding organizations who would be interested in advertising on our website. Are you interested in marketing, but also in working with a team of European enthusiasts? Then this could be you!

Editorial team: We're hoping to expand our group of editors by 2-3 people – so this is an opportunity to take on the responsibility for one of our sections, and help steer the magazine.

WEBSITE: http://www.europeandme.eu/about-us-rightmenu-82/108-join-us

V.E: EAVI study on media literacy in Europe The European Association for Viewers Interests conduced a study on media literacy measurement criteria in Europe on behalf the European Commission, DG Information Society. The Study is now available online both on the EAVI web site http://www.eavi.eu and on the Commission’s website.

The full title of the Study is ‘Assessment Criteria for Media Literacy Levels in Europe’. It was coordinated by EAVI and covers the 27 EU Member States. It offers a comprehensive view of the concept of media literacy and an understanding of how media literacy levels in Europe should be assessed.

JEF INFONewsletter of the Young European Federalists

VI. JOBS & INTERNSHIPS I

11

VI.A: Call for applications for the post of Secretary General of JEF-Europe

The Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe), an international non-governmental youth organisation (INGYO) is looking for candidates to fill the position of Secretary General (SG). As elected officer and legal representative, the Secretary-General works full-time

for the organisation at the European Secretariat in Brussels (supported by a long-term stagiaire) and is responsible for:

- the organisation of seminars, training events and other campaign activities;- external representation (European Institutions, NGOs, etc.);- external communication and support to the member sections;- projects and day-to-day financial management of the organization;- the organising of statutory meetings;- the organisational support to the Executive Bureau;- the financial management of the organisation (together with the treasurer);- day-to-day office work, including maintenance of the JEF-Europe websites.

The Secretary General should have:- a thorough understanding of European politics;- extensive experience in NGO work, ideally on a European level and/or in JEF;- extensive experience in project management;- excellent language skills; fluency in English is a precondition, any other European languages and especially French and/or Dutch is considered a strong asset;- excellent communication and presentation skills;- experience with finances and book-keeping;- excellent knowledge of MS/OpenOffice and online communications (email, internet);- experience with institutional fundraising, especially EU grants;- experience with human resources management and team management and leadership skills;- the willingness to undertake frequent travels;- the sensibility to work in a multilingual and multicultural environment.

The applicant should show flexibility (15+ week-ends/year), initiative, personal commitment and motivation on supporting the activities promoted by the organisation. JEF-Europe offers an interesting position in an international environment and a high degree of independence in day-to-day work. JEF-Europe will issue a working contract under Belgian law, limited for 2 years, including a trial period of 3 months, starting in summer 2008 (exact date to be defined at a later stage).

Annual gross pay: EUR 25.000-30.000 (including benefits)

Deadline for applications: 25th January 2010

The selected candidates will be invited by the Executive Bureau for an interview taking place in Brussels in the beginning of February. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The invitation to the interview will be communicated by 31st January 2010. The final decision will be taken by the Federal Committee (FC) of JEF Europe (the SG is elected/approved by the FC according to the Statutes of JEF-Europe), meeting that will take place in Bratislava, Slovakia from the 26th till the 28th March 2010.

Please send applications in English by e-mail addressing either the President or the current Secretary-General of JEF-Europe ([email protected]). The applications should include the following:

- Curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages);- A motivation letter (max. 1 page);- A short essay (max. 2 A4 pages) on the role and future of JEF;- A list of your recent activities in JEF and/or other organisations, including participation in events.

JEF INFONewsletter of the Young European Federalists

12

VI.B: Communications internship at CAN-EU

Climate Action Network Europe (CAN-E), recognised as Europe's leading network working on climate and energy issues, is currently seeking a highly motivated, dynamic and results-driven individual to join our team in Brussels. The successful candidate will assist the Communications Manager in the delivery of our high profile communication work.

Day-to-Day duties will include:• Updating website content using Joomla CMS, including uploading documents, writing and

editing text and managing archives; • Updating databases of contacts, newsletter recipients and members; • Updating and maintaining press contact lists; • Cataloguing and managing CAN-E’s media hits; library and list of publications; • Helping as needed with organisation and management of Parliamentary and public

events, including room and food reservation, registration, organising seminar materials and follow-up;

• Editing submissions to the CAN newsletter Hotspot and liaising with subconsultants to ensure printing and delivery;

• Aiding Communications Manager in revising Communications Structures, including format for publications and briefings;

• Additional duties to aid the Communications team in delivery of the communications strategy;

• Working with Network Coordinator in liaising with member organisations throughout Europe.

Remuneration for the job will be in accordance with Belgian specifications for stagiaires. The position is subject to a 1-month trial period. To apply, please send a letter of motivation and CV to [email protected] date for applications: 4 January, 2010Interviews during week of 11 January, 2010Expected start date: as soon as possible

Please find more detailed information about the position here: http://jobs.euractiv.com/job/communications-intern-full-time-6-month-internship-5976

JEF INFONewsletter of the Young European Federalists

VII. CALENDAR I

VIII. CONTACT I

See you all next year!

13

A good contact always comes handy, so if you have any questions regarding the items you read in the present JEF-INFO or any other questions related to JEF don't hesitate to contact us via email at [email protected] and/or call the Secretariat during office hours (10-18) at +32 2 512 00 53.

All the best,Iohanna, Pia, Matej and Peter

21 December – 3 January: European secretariat closed6 January: JEF ‘jour fixe in Brussels, BE13 January: ECI consultation by the Permanent Forum of European Civil Society in Brussels, BEJanuary/February: DeskEvents in ES, FI, LV, RO, SK and TK22-27 March: JEF international seminar in Bratislava, SK26-28 March: Spring FC in Bratislava, SK16-18 April: DeskChallenge in Brussels, BE