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EUROPEAN UNION FEDERATION OF YOUTH HOSTEL ASSOCIATIONS |
EUFED e-bulletin
We are pleased to send you the new edition of the EUFED e-bulletin, with latest information from the Federation, a summary of relevant EU developments and a selection of news items from our member Associations.
Michèle Obert, Coordinator
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At the meeting in Hannover (Germany) on 11th and 12th October, development of Youth Hostelling in Europe after the HI Conference in Davos was discussed by 31 participants from 16 Youth Hostel Associations. The main topics were:
- Future broadening of the duties and responsibilities of EUFED
- Harmonization of HI in Europe
- The implementation of the preferred access model
- Marketing challenges
- The Third Way of HI
As a result, the fruitful discussions led to the recognition of a strong need for a common approach to Youth Hostelling in Europe. Therefore, EUFED has included the outcomes of the meeting in its draft Action Plan 2007 (to be approved by the General Assembly in Edinburgh on 25th November) and the implementation of three working groups to elaborate EUFED's new strategic approach. www.eufed.org
The final report of the e-learning project was completed and sent on 31st July for final evaluation and assessment by the Education, Audiovisual & Culture Executive Agency of the European Commission. Early in October, the European Commission credited EUFED account of the anticipated balance of € 8.553,73.
The total expenditure of the project amounted to € 313.581,42 out of which EUFED and the partnership received € 126.192,93 funding from the European Commission. ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/leonardo
Preparation of EUFED General Assembly
International Seminar "Youth Hostels and Young Workers' Mobility under Action 5 of the Youth Programme
The application for funding was accepted by the European Commission on 29th September 2006. The Seminar will take place in Edinburgh Youth Hostel on 23rd and 24th November 2006 and will involve 26 delegates from 18 national Youth Hostel Associations and like-minded organisations in Europe.
The objectives of the seminar are to share best practice and develop new actions in respect of young people, and international work experience based at Youth Hostels. The Seminar links with the theme of the 2006 European Year of Workers’ Mobility.
Busy weeks in Brussels as EUFED Project Manager Mario Mohr has recently visited three Members of the European parliament, MEP Lissy Gröner, MEP Doris Pack, both from Germany and MEP Alyn Smith from Scotland.
Purposes of the meetings were to inform the MEPs on EUFED’s work and to lobby for its members associations. The issues discussed were the possible influence of the forthcoming service directive in the single European market on Youth Hostelling business, and challenges of Youth Hostel Associations in South East Europe and in Scotland. The MEPs sent some strong signals of support.
EUFED invited to the 2007 European Commission's Conference on Social Tourism in the EU
The Conference is organised by the Tourism Unit of the DG Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission, and will take place in Brussels on 6th February 2007. EUFED president Peter Kaiser is invited to summarize the morning session which will focus on Youth Tourism. The Slovenian Youth Hostel Association' CEO Igor Jurišic is also invited to speak on the topic “Youth Tourism: Challenges and Best Practices at European level”.
Some places are available to participate at a research seminar on young people and active European citizenship organized in the framework on the Partnership on Research in the Youth Field between the Council of Europe and the European Commission. The seminar will take place at the European Youth Centre, Budapest, Hungary from 23-25 November, 2006.
The aim of the seminar is not only to deal more deeply with the meanings of citizenship and their contemporary applications, but also into the impact of the work of the European youth field in this domain. It will be attended mostly by researchers specialized in the field, Member Organisations of the European Youth Forum and policy makers. More information - registration form
For any question, do not hesitate to contact Alix Masson, EYF Policy Officer youth policy in Europe, alix.masson@youthforum.org
Deadline: 5 November 2006
The Directorate-General for Education and Culture is organising a conference and exhibition on Intercultural Dialogue, to be held in Brussels on 22nd and 23rd November 2006 on the premises of the Committee of the Regions. Through its policies and programmes DG Education and Culture has always supported this subject which is at the heart of European Union policies. This conference and exhibition will showcase the results of the programmes and initiatives on the theme of Intercultural Dialogue backed at European level up to the present day. They will also serve as part of our preparations for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue in 2008.
The 7th University on Youth and Development took place from 1 to 8 October 2006 in Mollina (Spain). It offered to about 250 young people and youth organisations a space for debate where they were able to discuss their realities and draw lessons from the experiment of the others, fostering their role as active stakeholders of the local, regional and international development. The theme of the 2006 Edition of the University on Youth and Development was “all different-all equal: Participation, Human Rights and Diversity”, the title of the Council of Europe’s Youth Campaign that will run from July 2006 to the end of 2007. This event was organised by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe in collaboration with other partners such as the Youth Forum and the National Youth Spanish Council. More information: www.coe.int/t/e/north-south_centre/Programmes
For the fifth time, the Council of Europe is organising the “Young Active Citizens” Award with a view to promoting active participation of young people in society by rewarding outstanding/innovative projects/actions in this respect. In this context, the Council of Europe Award “Young active citizens” also wants to visualise the value and practice of co-management between young people and public authorities at local, regional and national levels, which constitutes an important feature of the Council of Europe’s youth policy. www.coe.int/t/e/cultural_co-operation/youth
On 2nd October 2006, the International Internet Game "Become a Member of European Parliament" ("BeMEP.eu") kicked off. The game is open to any interested individual.
The Game is a simulation of the work of the European Parliament. Each of the contestants will become a Member of Parliament and will commence his activities in the virtual Parliament. He will have to negotiate with other contestants, predict the outcomes of votes in the real European Parliaments, and answer questions regarding the European Union. Furthermore everyone will be able to participate in virtual trainings (e-learning) on cultural, political, social and economical aspects of the European Union. More information: http://www.bemep.eu/index.php
This is the first "pocket TV" about Europe, addressed especially to young people. Europocket Television is funded by the European Parliament. It is a multi-media platform, web-tv with open access to 3G phone and podcasts, which began broadcasting on the 4th of September 2006 in English, French and Spanish. Daily updates are presented on Europe, the EU and its institutions, on events, competitions, courses, and grants. It is also possible to give your own input by submitting written articles and videos. Find out more: www.europocket.tvAIG (Italian Youth Hostel Association) - Several Youth Hostels open in italy
From the Alps to the Sicily, several Italian Youth Hostels open their doors to the youth. Not only the location but also the style of the buildings are very diverse:
Lillianes (pictured left) , has an amazing mountain structure on the banks of a torrent.
Rivalta sul Mincio, is a particular Youth Hostel realized in an ancient depository for canes totally refurbished. Located in the River Mincio Park, the Youth Hostels enables you to visit one of the most interesting environmental area in Europe.
In the centre of the peninsula, Sinalunga is a small village on a hillside which was once an ancient fortress for one of the most important families of Siena and which is now the base for the youth hostel. It is an environment where signs of time are still visible and where the signs of man who first built this landscape fortunately recognised and respected its characteristics and peculiarities.
Passing through other new hostels in Chianciano, Castelguglielmo, Due Carrare, Cottanello and Taranto (the ancient city founded in VIII Century B.C. with an amazing sea along its coast), we arrive on the South of Italy at Piazza Armerina, a village placed in the inner heart of Sicily. www.ostellionline.org
DJH (German Youth Hostel Association) - Good publicity for the German Youth Hostel Association
“Youth hostels are as popular as never before. From bunk beds to an adventure bass”, headlined the German magazine “Stern” on its front page, 24 August 2006, with the highest circulation of 1.280.000 copies. After having investigated in 7 youth hostels, the reporters attested overall positive results on no less than 14 pages. Quote: “Common showers, scratchy covers, gruff caretakers – no way! Youth hostels nowadays are moving with the times: modernized buildings, programmes for the whole family as well as trained staff. Only one aspect has not changed: youth hostels are located at the nicest places in Germany." www.jugendherberge.de
Perfect symbiosis between Middle Ages and today, the castle of Diez, built in 1485, has been operating as a youth hostel for more than fifty years. Now it is extensively renovated. A great challenge has been put into practice: a modern youth hostel, with 128 beds, built in accordance with this landmark being under preservation order. All rooms have ensuite facilities. The former ancient chapel has been changed into a bistro with a unique atmosphere. An elevator makes this impressing hostel also accessible for handicapped people. This romantic place in the federal state of Rhineland Palatinate is a starting point for walking tours, cycle tours or boat trips. www.jugendherberge.de
Situated on a hill above the Hamburg harbour, the youth hostel “Auf dem Stintfang” was officially reopened on 24 August 2006 after five years of renovation (during which the hostel remained open to visitors). The hostel now offers 357 beds in 2- and 6-bed en-suite rooms.
Thanks to the hostel’s location on high ground, all rooms have a fantastic view over Hamburg harbour. The city centre is easily reached by public transport.
The hostel welcomes more than 90,000 guests each year, with the majority coming from the US and Japan. www.jugendherberge.de
Following an agreement between Movijovem, the Portuguese Institute for Youth and the Alijó and Espinho City Councils, two new Youth Hostels are going to be built – Alijó and Espinho. With an investment of about two million Euros each, they will be modern and well-equipped Youth Hostels with a total capacity of 62 beds each.
The construction works of Alijó Youth Hostel (pictured right) began last September following an official ceremony presided by the Prime Minister of Portugal. Alijó will offer accommodation in 11 double rooms with ensuite facilities (one suitable for wheelchair users) and 10 four-bedded rooms. Alijó is situated a scenery of great natural beauty with a variety of touristic, leisure and sport interests to suit single travellers, families and larger groups.
The “first stone” of Espinho Youth Hostel was launched by the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports last October. Espinho Youth Hostel (pictured left) will offer accommodation in seven double rooms with ensuite facilities (one suitable for wheelchair users) and 12 four-bedded rooms. The Youth Hostel is included in a sports complex and thus offers a great variety of outdoor activities. The city itself is a popular tourism resort which attracts thousands of visitors.
Both Youth Hostels will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering a wide range of in-house facilities such as self-catering kitchen, laundry room, common room with bar, terrace, canteen and internet. These new Youth Hostels are expected to open to the public by October 2007. www.pousadasjuventude.pt
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ALBERGUE AREITZ – SOROA (GALDAMES) The Youth Hostel Areitz Soroa, surrounded by natural environment, is the ideal place for guests who want to learn about ecology. This new Youth Hostel is open all year and offers workshops on ecological agriculture on Saturdays and Sundays. www.reaj.com |
ALBERGUE TRINKETE-ETXEA (LEKEITIO) The Youth Hostel Trinkete-Etxea is located near the beach (5 minutes) and 55 kilometres away from Bilbao. It offers a swimming pool which is also available in the winter time. It has 56 beds capacity in two, four, five, six and seven–bedded rooms. It provides laundry and sport facilities as well as internet connection. www.reaj.com |
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ALBERGUE MEAKAUR (MORGA) This Youth Hostel is located in the mountainous massif of “Sinclinorio de Vizcaya” and offers ecological itineraries, outdoor activities such as trekking and mountain-biking. The total capacity is 62 beds and it also offers a bar, a lounge with ludoteca, TV, DVD, and karaoke. www.reaj.com |
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ALBERGUE TURULL (ZARAGOZA) In the Pineta Valley, Jordi Turull Youth Hostel is a spectacular building, originally constructed in the 1920s, and now totally renovated with a capacity of 300 beds. Ski slopes are only 30 kilometres away. The Youth Hostel facilities include wide exterior areas, two dining rooms, play rooms (one of them is 600 m2). The hostel will serve individual and group travellers. www.reaj.com |
ALBERGUE CALCENA (ZARAGOZA) The new Youth Hostel Calcena is a completely renewed former military barracks, which provides 70 beds and all the facilities including dining room, kitchens, parking, meeting rooms and a restaurant. Besides being in an outstanding natural environment, the Youth Hostel offers multiple options of leisure to the visitor. It will serve travellers who want to discover the area of Moncayo. www.reaj.com |
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YHA E&W (Youth Hostel Association England & Wales) - Boscastle’s back in business
YHA Boscastle - a stunning stone building that stands right at the edge of the sea – has finally been reopened, more than two years after it was gutted by a flash flood. The building was all but destroyed when the dramatic flood hit the village in August 2004.
The hostel was badly damaged and filled with silt, grime and debris that had been washed down the valley. All but three external walls of the Youth Hostel had to be replaced in a £ 650,000 re-fit carried out in partnership with the building’s owners, the National Trust. An innovative design has seen the facility slightly extended at the back and it now sleeps up to 26 in a variety of very comfortable, modern bedrooms with an increased number of toilets and showers. Access for people with disabilities has also been improved at the self-catering hostel and there is now a ground floor room with wheelchair access and en suite bathroom. Visit Britain recently visited the hostel and awarded it a four star rating. www.yha.org.uk
Guests are flocking back to YHA Keswick after the popular Lake District location underwent a massive £ 550,000 revamp (with the support of Dr Graham Pink, Mr Norman Watson and the Cumbria Tourist Board).
Following radical six-month improvement scheme, the doors recently re-opened and YHA chiefs are hoping the new 85-bed facility will boost the hostel rating from one to four stars. Outdated bathrooms and bedrooms have been replaced with ultra-modern, environmentally friendly and fashionable facilities, which will appeal to schools, families and individual travellers, accustomed to international standards. The number of toilets and showers in the property is now almost double the total before the re-fit. The design and décor has been influenced by the Cumbria Renaissance Project, which has enabled a professional interior designer to be employed. www.yha.org.uk
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