Thessaloniki European Youth Capital 2014
Θεσσαλονίκη Ευρωπαϊκή Πρωτεύουσα Nεολαίας 2014
ΝΕWS LETTER #01 MAY 2013
thessaloniki2014.eu
Newsletter #01 / May 2013
Our Date with Time The effort to win the title of “European Youth Capital 2014” has begun in Thessaloniki on February 2011. It’s the first time in Thessaloniki’s recent history that so many young people- 800 volunteers, representing 200 groups, NGOs, schools, universities and public bodies- cooperated and proposed initiatives and events for the young people of Greece and Europe. On November 2011 Thessaloniki’s candidacy managed to win, conveying to the committee that evaluated the proposals, the stubbornness, the longing and the faith of all the young people that participated in the procedure of claiming the title. “Thessaloniki European Youth Capital 2014” has fixed a date with “time”. Time sometimes overcomes us, though we anticipate and we catch it or we think so until we lose him again. Eventually, we live following strictly the time limits, which young people try to stretch in order to add value to the positive contribution of NGOs via their participation, with propositions and ideas that would promote innovation, development of best practices, new talents and young artists.
Maria Paschalidou President of Thessaloniki European Youth Capital 2014
Newsletter #01 / May 2013
Thessaloniki – Youth City Moving towards the big event of 2014 Thessaloniki as a European Youth Capital for 2014 has the ambition to become the European center of innovation, culture, youth tourism, participation and development of youth policies and initiatives. The title of European Youth Capital 2014 has been awarded to Thessaloniki on the 18th of November 2011. Municipality of Thessaloniki highlights modern youth needs, establishes structures for the promotion of youth policies and enables young people to participate in the procedure of planning and implementation of “Thessaloniki European Youth Capital 2014” actions. Last but not least, young people are offered the opportunity to express their ambitions for their future. The first activities – precursors are already taking place in 2013. Moving towards 2014 a multidimensional program is going to gradually unfold in Thessaloniki (international conferences, exhibitions, concerts, seminars and workshops), based in 11 thematic axes that brings young people to the forefront.
The young people of the city that derives the “European Youth Capital” title get for a year the luck of their city in their hands. The title is awarded for one year to a European city that presents a comprehensive program of actions, ideas and proposals for youth at local, national and European level. This initiative does not fund infrastructure projects but supports programs that give emphasis and promote the needs, ideas and dreams of young people. Rotterdam was the first European Youth Capital in 2009, then followed Turin in 2010, Antwerp in 2011, Braga (Portugal) in 2012 and Maribor (Slovenia) in 2013. Finally, Cluj Napoca (Romania) is going to be Thessaloniki’s successor in 2015.
Newsletter #01 / May 2013
Maribor dancing on 2013’s pace
We are supported by Martin Schultz
“Those who are young, not so young or feel young eternally, welcome.” From the beginning of 2013, Maribor, European Youth Capital 2013, presents a rich and varied program of activities. Youth organizations, volunteer groups and young residents of the Slovenian city cooperate, organize and carry out actions that are spread throughout the city.
The President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, welcomed the fact that Thessaloniki was awarded the European Youth Capital 2014 title.
News from this year’s European Youth Capital
A few days ago the Cultural Information Centre (KIS) of the event was inaugurated. In the events that have taken place was the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, who was welcomed by the new mayor of Maribor Dr. Andrei Fistravets and the head of EYC Maribor 2013 Sarah Sorgker. As far as the forthcoming events are concerned, on the 25th of May a meeting of Maribor’s university students with graduates (that studied there in the postwar period) would take place in the city in order to discuss issues of common interest. Additionally, from 10 to 21 June the International Film Festival on immigration issues is going to be hosted in Maribor. The event is annually held in Ljubljana, but especially for this year, it was decided to be transferred in Maribor. Additional information on the contents and events can be found www.mb2013.si.
The President of the European Parliament for Thessaloniki 2014
The President of the European Parliament was informed about the great celebration of the young people that Thessaloniki would host in 2014 and the progress of all the preparations, on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Forum of the Anna Lindh Foundation, held in April in Marseille. Mr. Schultz showed a great interest in the event, he found interesting the bilingual newsletter, which analyzes the 11 thematic axes of the event, and expressed a desire to visit Thessaloniki in 2014. Also, Mr. Schultz was satisfied by the fact that the European Youth Capital Thessaloniki 2014, in cooperation with the European Parliament Office in Athens are preparing to implement a major information campaign on youth participation in elections of 2014.
Newsletter #01 / May 2013
Viviane Reding supports Thessaloniki! The Vice-President of the European Commission invites young people to visit Thessaloniki The Vice-President of the European Commission, Viviane Reding, expressed her satisfaction for the fact that Thessaloniki would be the next European Youth Capital, during her visit in Thessaloniki where she spoke as part of the campaign of the EU. Viviane Reding was informed of the progress of the event by Yiannis Boutaris, Mayor of Thessaloniki and Maria Paschalidou, President of Thessaloniki European Youth Capital 2014. The Vice-President of the European Commission taking into consideration the fact that Thessaloniki is European Youth Capital on 2014, invited all young Europeans to visit Thessaloniki. She also recommended that young Greeks should travel abroad and exchange experiences. “Thessaloniki is a city that gives hope for the future, I have been informed that Thessaloniki would be Youth Capital of Europe on 2014. This is great and I think that young people from all over Europe will be delighted to come here. They will really enjoy this beautiful city», said Reding.
Finally, the Vice-President of the European Commission wished that the young people that will be in Thessaloniki for the purposes of 2014 will transform the city into a real youth capital. “It is important to gather together young people of Europe,” said Mrs Reding, adding that “this is why there are institutions such as Erasmus, which allow young people to study at universities in other countries and to exchange experiences.”
Newsletter #01 / May 2013
NEWS FROM BRUSSELS
Six candidates in the 2016 battle
COMEM brings together young people from all over Europe. More than 150 representatives of youth organizations from all over Europe met in Brussels at the Council of Members (COMEM) of the European Youth Forum. Starting with a plenary session of the European Parliament, the two day COMEM, included discussions, panels and many sessions.
While Maribor of Slovenia is at the peak of the events as European Youth Capital 2013, Thessaloniki is moving decisively towards 2014 and Cluj in Romania starts to mobilize young people for 2015, six other European cities make their proposals in order to gain the Youth Capital title for 2016.
The activities of the European Youth Forum
Representatives of COMEM adopted a new policy document for employment. Youth unemployment is a global problem that threatens to undermine the structures of society. The policy document identifies the main causes of youth unemployment and proposes a series of actions to address the phenomenon that threatens the stability and the future of Europe. Additionally, European Youth Forum welcomed two new organizations - members: Board of European Students of Technology (BEST) and the European Union of Deaf Youth (Eudy). The total number of member organizations of the Forum now stands at 99.
The candidate cities for the title of 2016
In the final battle for the European Youth Capital 2016 title are contesting two cities of Spain, Badajoz and La Laguna, Galway in Ireland, Ghana in Azerbaijan, Varna in Bulgaria and Vilnius in Lithuania. The winner will be announced at a celebratory event on November 23, 2013 in Thessaloniki.
Newsletter #01 / May 2013
The “heart” of Thessaloniki European Youth Capital 2014 Workshop on “TICKS” here! Organ Donation The headquarters of the European Capital Thessaloniki 2014
The last period Thessaloniki European Youth Capital 2014 fully operates in its headquarters in which it recently has moved. The effort made is gradually intensified in order to create a strong background capable to implement the greatest youth event Thessaloniki ever hosted. The “heart” of Thessaloniki European Youth Capital 2014 “ticks” in the 1000 m2 Makrides building donated by Thomas Makrides to the Municipality of Thessaloniki-located Maria Callas street 23. A few weeks now, our offices have begun to fill up with new voices. Students of schools from all over the city are hosted in order to get informed about this European challenge in which they ought to be the protagonists. The first comers in our headquarters were the students of the 2nd Class of the 1st High school of Sykies. Day after day we have to respond to the growing interest from schools all over the region that desire to get informed and participate in the European Youth Capital 2014 events.
Thessaloniki European Youth Capital 2014 supports the workshop of Organ Donation that is going to take place on Wednesday, the 15th May 2013 at the Research Results Dissemination Center. The workshop is organized by the Hellenic Medical Students International Committee (HelMSIC) Thessaloniki in cooperation with the National Transplant Organization and under the auspices of the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the European Youth Capital Thessaloniki 2014. Taking into consideration the law implementation respective to organ donation which comes into force on 1 June 2013, the main purpose of this workshop is to raise awareness for this supreme act of love and offer to our fellow man, which however is often a matter of controversy and misinformation due to incomplete or distorted information. The workshop takes place on Wednesday, May 15 at 17.00 at the Research Results Dissemination Center, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. More information at the official site www.helmsic.gr and www.thessaloniki.helmsic.gr
Thessaloniki European Youth Capital 2014 Maria Κallas 23 54655, Thessaloniki 2313 318235
www.thessaloniki2014.eu info@thessaloniki2014.eu