 |
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.
Mario Mohr, Operating Director
Michèle Obert, Coordinator
| To contribute to this e-bulletin or to tell us what you think, please contact info@eufed.org |
To unsubscribe |
EUFED Executive Committee met soon after the 2006 General Assembly to review the outcomes of the Assembly and discuss the implementation of the proposed Task Groups:
- Group 1: strategy/Third Way
- Group 2: harmonization/preferred access/membership
- Group 3: marketing/co-operation
EUFED will write to member Associations early in 2007 about how the Task Groups will work. The Executive Committee Members agreed as well to grant a permanent contract to Mario Mohr and the position of Operating Director.
The Scottish Association hosted the 2006 EUFED General Assembly and Conference on the occasion of the opening of the Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel located in the city centre. The event was a success thanks to the hospitality of SYHA and the hard work and commitment of the Scottish team.
The General Assembly approved the 2006 draft Annual Report and the proposed 2007 Action Plan and Budget. The Youth Hostel Associations of the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia & Montenegro were unanimously accepted as affiliate members of EUFED. The Swiss Youth Hostel Association will be hosting the 2007 General Assembly and European Regional Conference in Zürich. The dates set for this are 24 and 25 November 2007. More information...
The Seminar, co-funded by the EU Youth Programme, gathered 21 participants from 12 Organizations in 10 European and pre-accession countries.
An Action Plan was devised by the participants aiming at recruiting new employees, encouraging youth mobility and providing exchange of staff within HI in Europe.
EUFED President attend the French Youth Hostel Association's 50th Anniversary
On 18 November 2006, FUAJ celebrated its Golden Jubilee in the prestigious Paris City Hall with the presence of Mr. Léon Bertrand, French Minister of Tourism.
On that very special occasion, Peter Kaiser EUFED President, congratulated Edith Arnoult-Brill (FUAJ's Secretary General), Jean-Pierre Henriot (FUAJ President), Patrick Bernard (FUAJ and EUFED Treasurer) and FUAJ staff and members for 50 years of social commitment as well as for being, since EUFED creation in 1987, one of the major EUFED member and founder.
Peter Kaiser gave an overview presentation about EUFED aims and objectives, mission and key figures. www.eufed.org
Fanny Rouanet (FUAJ), young Member and very active participant in the EUFED Youth Committee was selected to take part in the Brussels pre-summit of the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome from 18 to 20 January 2007. Since the development of the Youth Committee last September, Fanny contributed also to another important Youth event on 4 and 5 December in Brussels: European Commission Conference "Youth = Future: Let's make an equal future for all". Brussels pre-summit - background information...
The new Programme will be implemented from 1 January 207 until 31 December 20013 with a total budget of 885 million euros. The Youth in Action Programme makes an important contribution to the acquisition of competences and is therefore a key instrument in providing young people with opportunities for non-formal and informal learning with a European dimension. The Youth in Action Programme is a programme for all. It encourages the involvement of young people with fewer opportunities and addresses young people aged between 13 and 30. More information...
In 1995 the Council of Europe marked the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War with one of its most successful campaigns, on the theme: "All Different, All Equal''. It mobilised the young people of Europe around a common aim – to fight racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and intolerance. Ten years later new issues face Europe – and a whole new generation is taking up the challenge. The new All Different - All Equal campaign was launched in June 2006 – and this time the horizons are wider. This campaign aims to highlight diversity – celebrating the richness of our differences, whatever they may be. It has its roots firmly in the Council of Europe’s mission – to promote and protect human rights. Participation will be the key word, allowing everyone to play a part in building a better Europe , where everyone has the right to be themselves – to be different and equal. http://alldifferent-allequal.info/
EUFED, along with nearly a hundred NGOs all over Europe, supports the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI). ECI is a huge democratic movement demanding legal introduction of the right of initiative for Europeans. Once introduced into European law, ECI will require the EU institutions to respond to every new proposal signed by at least one million EU citizens. This will enable us to directly influence the political agenda of the European Union for the first time in the history. Make your voice heard in Brussels! Sign the European Citizens' Initiative now! http://www.citizens-initiative.eu
The European Year of Workers' Mobility concluded on 11th December. With 2.000 events across Europe, the campaign has raised peoples' awareness of their rights to work in another EU country and how to exercise them, reinforced tools to help them find a job abroad, and highlighted the remaining obstacles to a genuine European job market. Highlights of the Year included the launch of the new EURES portal (the European Job Mobility portal) with 1 million vacancies across Europe, the first ever Europe-wide job fair with 200,000 visitors at simultaneous events in more than 300 towns and cities, and the co-funding of 39 mobility projects at national, transnational and cross-border level. http://europa.eu/
AIG (Italian Youth Hostel Association) - AIG promotes the theatre as a learning opportunity
AIG, in co-operation with Pro-Arte (an organization that encourages any form of art), started a project to insert theatre performances in the Rome School Trip Programmes. The Rome Day includes an overnight at “Foro Italico” YH with breakfast and two meals, a guided tour of Rome and a ticket to Sistina Theatre (the most important in Rome) to watch a Musical of “Compagnia delle Stelle” team.
In the show-list are included works based on classical texts of Giovanni Boccaccio, Charles Dickens, Alessandro Manzoni and much more. To elaborate a program personalized for the special need of the participating Schools, it is possible to contact AIG Travel Service. www.ostellionline.org
Council members of An Óige had the honour of meeting Mary McAleese - the President of Ireland on Thursday 19th October. The lucky An Óige members met the President at her residence Áras an Úachtaráin in the Phoenix Park in Dublin and enjoyed tea and sandwiches in her company. The President was presented with the first copy of our new An Óige book "An Illustrated Survey of An Óiges Youth Hostels". 
The occasion was part of An Óige's 75th Anniversary celebrations, acknowledging the role An Óige has played in the lives of many Irish people throughout the 20th Century.
Ken Kilkenny (President of an Óige) and Brian Graham (Honourary National Secretary) had the pleasure of presenting a copy of the book to An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, T.D on Wednesday November 22nd. An Óige hopes the Taoiseach, who has fond memories of hostelling in the past, enjoys the publication. http://www.anoige.ie/
An Óige’s (Irish Youth Hostel Association) newest arrival
An Óige are delighted to welcome the addition of Sleepzone-The Burren to the An Óige chain as a newest franchise. Sleepzone-The Burren will open in March 2007 and is situated in the spa town of Lisdoonvarna in County Clare where it boasts close proximity to some of Ireland's most famous areas of natural beauty. This fantastic new location, in it's own landscaped grounds, has been operating as a 3-star hotel. Soon to be a 130-bed hostel, it will have the following great features: 22 ensuite rooms, conference facilities, spacious guest kitchen & dining room, walled garden, drying facilities, free internet & Wifi... The famous town of Lisdoonvarna is the ideal base from which to explore many of Ireland's historical & geographical sites of interest, such as dolmens, stone forts, medieval castles and award-winning parks where history comes to life. Sister hostel of Sleepzone Galway and Sleepzone Connemara An Óige newest addition will no doubt be of the same superior high quality standard. http://www.anoige.ie/New publication for An Óige(Irish Youth Hostel Association) launched
An Óige are celebrating their 75th birthday this year.
One of their keen hostellers, John Martin, has successfully attempted to capture the fascinating history of An Óige in a brand new publication entitled "An Illustrated Survey of An Óige's Youth Hostels". Throughout their 75 years, An Óige have been custodians of a huger number of wonderful buildings in many superb locations. Since the opening of the Association’s first hostel in Lough Dan in 1931, a staggering total of some 120 buildings have been used as hostels by the Association. From castles to coastguard cottages, lighthouses to schoolhouses, fishing and hunting lodges, farmhouses, convents, barracks to barns; all have at one stage been used by An Óige as hostels.
This book is the first attempt to collate all the available information relating to these buildings. But the book is much more than a dry recounting of the history of their buildings. From a variety of sources John has collected a collassal number of historically significant photographs (over 350) as well as an extensive amount of reminiscence and anecdote that bring the buildings to life. http://www.anoige.ie/
DJH (German Youth Hostel Association) - International meetings for young people contribute to peace and personal development
Young people who are spending some time abroad with the German Youth Hostel Association benefit from a great variety of learning opportunities for their personal development. During the general meeting of the German Youth Hostel Association on 18th November 2006 this effect was convincingly explained and represented by six young people. Every year the German Youth Hostel Association organises a multitude of meetings for young people, internships, voluntary services and measures for the exchange of experts. 1.200 young Germans take part in these projects. “A very important aim of the German Youth Hostel Association is to improve mutual understanding and peace-building common activities” emphasized DJH President Angela Braasch-Eggert. www.jugendherberge.de
The German and Russian Youth Hostel Associations agreed on carrying out two youth encounter projects: one internship in North German Youth Hostels and a bilateral Board-meeting at St.-Petersburg in 2007.
From 19th to 24th October, the President of the Russian Youth Hostel Association Julia Zubareva visited Germany to get information on youth hostelling in Germany as well as to discuss professional issues. During her stay she met Angela Braasch-Eggert President of the German Youth Hostel Association. www.jugendherberge.de
In December 2006 a five-person delegation of the Japanese Youth hostel Association visited the German Youth Hostel Association for one week.
The Japanese full-time staff learned about DJH concepts, particularly developed for the big city Youth Hostels to meet the specific needs of international hostellers. The contacts between the two partner Associations have existed for a long time. Bilateral activities such as the youth encounter programme as well as the exchange of employees will be continued. www.jugendherberge.de
On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Jacques Brel Youth Hostel, LAJ is offering a programme of various events throughout the year 2007. It is a simple idea, each month there will be an event to share, a gift to give, a project to support or a town to discover, and much, much more… - www.laj.be
The Castelo Branco Youth Hostel was officially reopened on 30th November 2006, after being closed for three years. With an investment of about 275.000 Euros this revamped hostel offers now modern, comfortable and well-equipped facilities. 
The renovated hostel accommodates 68 guests in a choice of two twin en-suite rooms (one suitable for wheelchair users) and 16 four-bedded rooms. Access for people with disabilities has also been improved at the hostel self-catering and through a chair-elevator on the stairs.
Castelo Branco is a town in the east centre of Portugal, close to the boarder with Spain, well known for its medieval village, the remarkable 18th century garden – “Jardim do Paço”, gastronomy and its handicraft bedcovers. Around Castelo Branco, visitors can experience a wide range of outdoor sports such as rappel, slide, hiking, trekking, horse riding, all road and canoeing. www.pousadasjuventude.pt
YHA E&W (Youth Hostel Association England & Wales) - Work begins on flagship London Hostel
YHA is creating a € 6.3 million state-of-the-art 300-bed youth hostel in the heart of central London. Work is already under way on the new YHA London Central, which will provide the perfect base for the visitors to the capital in a superb location with excellent transport links just a few minutes walk from the West End. YHA Operations Director Mark Farmer said the move would completely reposition YHA in the accommodation marketplace in London and for the Organisation. The building is currently a disused multi-storey office block, which has been empty for around seven years. The project involves gutting the interior and creating an attractive new façade on the building to fit in with the local environment and it should be open towards the end of 2007. www.yha.org.uk
YHA E&W (Youth Hostel Association England & Wales) - Sir Chris launches Ennerdale assault
World renowned mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington is leading an “expedition” to raise funds to revamp his favourite Youth Hostel - the iconic YHA Black Sail.
The famous explorer will head a campaign to pay for much-needed refurbishment works at both the legendary former shepherd’s bothy and its sister hostel, YHA Ennerdale, 7 kilometres down the valley.
Sir Chris, who lives in the Lake District and is a YHA Vice President as well as a keen admirer of the Black Sail property, which is the most remote hostel in England and sits 4 kilometres from the nearest road. He is determined that the € 375.000 fundraising summit should be conquered to help safeguard the future of both of these popular sites. "Of all the Youth Hostels I have seen, and there are many in fantastic situations, I think Black Sail is the pearl in the YHA crown without a shadow of doubt," he said.
So far, nearly € 220.000 of the required funding has been secured but work needs to begin in a hurry to comply with the terms of the various grants awarded. It is hoped the appeal will go a large way towards bridging the shortfall of € 150.000 after last year’s hostel appeal - for YHA Boscastle - topped € 160.000 . www.yha.org.uk
Timely for the start of the winter season 2006/2007, on December 16, our guests will cross the
threshold of the totally renewed, modern Valbella Youth Hostel and enjoy the mountain panorama and the ski slopes right next to the house. The
ski resort Valbella-Lenzerheide lies in the east of Switzerland. 
It is an all around sun-blessed snow paradise with 155 km of wide slopes, 52 km of cross-country ski tracks and 80 km of winter hiking trails.
The renovated Youth Hostel will provide 140 beds and will be opened 237 days per year. Valbella Youth Hostel offers a broad range of different room types. From the comfortable double room with shower and toilet to shared rooms for groups and familiy rooms, the Hostel offers tailor-made holidays for everyone.
According to SJH's sustainable and ecologically responsible philosophy the Associaiton realised Valbella (after Zermatt Youth Hostel) with the standard of „minergie“ a new ecologically lasting building. Low-energy buildings typically use high levels of insulation, energy efficient windows and low levels of air infiltration. Additionally as energy source for heating and warm water, wood (pellets) and solar panels are going to be installed.
Between 6 and 15 November a delegation of 10 persons from the Romanian Youth Hostel Association participated in a training organized by DJH (the German Youth Hostel Association), in Magdeburg, Germany.
The main purpose of this training was the exchange of experiences between the two Associations, to find a way to improve and increase the Romanian Youth Hostel system. The seminar was managed by Mr. Walter Dusel General Secretary Sachsen Anhalt, Mr. Fritzen and Mr. Heinz Brenner from Detmold, and Petra Holzhuter and Tanja Seltenhofer from Stuttgart. The whole training was a fruitful experience for the Romanian delegation. http://www.hihostels-romania.ro/
At the last General Assembly of the Croatian Youth Hostels Association which took
place in Zagreb end of November 2006, elections for the President, Vice-Presidents and Board Members were held.
The new elected CYHA President is Mr Marijan Polašek, aged 52. Marijan Polašek has a long time record as CYHA active member and Board Member. During the mandate 2002–2006 he was 1st Vice-President of the Association.
The new elected 1st Vice- President is Krešimir Polašek, and the 2nd Vice-President is Tihomir Jelavic. The CYHA Board has altogether 11 members and, among them, four young members (under 30) who, in recent years, were particularly dedicated to the work of developing volunteer programmes in the association.
With support from the General Budget
of the European Communities
The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the position
or opinion of the European Commission
Hoogstraat 25, rue Haute
B-1000 Brussels
Tel.: +32 (0)2 502 80 66 - Fax: +32 (0)2 502 55 78
info@eufed.org - www.eufed.org