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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.
Mario Mohr, Operating Director
Michèle Obert, Coordinator
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EUFED has recently applied to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Commission for funding for a proposed Seminar on the subject of "Youth Hostels and their contribution to Social Inclusion". Subject to support from the European Commission, the Seminar is expected to take place in Leuven Youth Hostel on 21st and 22nd February 2008 and will involve 35 participants from national Youth Hostel Associations, European Institutions and international NGOs. A decision is expected in October. www.eufed.org
Further to the EUFED international Young Workers' Mobility Seminar of 23rd and 24th November 2006 in Edinburgh and following discussions with Mr. Vladimir Špidla EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, EUFED's Operating Director met with Johan Ten-Geuzendam Head of Unit Employment Services, Jimmy Jamar Deputy Head of Unit and Agnès Bradier Policy Officer, on 30th May, to exchange views on respective activities and to explore possibilities for potential future synergies. One of the main outcomes is that, to coincide with the EU Job Days taking place in 200 cities in Europe in September, EUFED and its Member Associations are invited to attend the EU Job Fair on 29th September 2007 in Brussels and to present themselves as major employers in Europe to about 5.000 young visitors. Detailed information to EUFED Member Associations will follow in due course. For more information on the European Job Mobility Portal: EURES...
Welcome to EUFED Project Assistant
We are pleased to announce that Carolin Hee took up post as EUFED Project Assistant on 12th June 2007 for a 5 month period. She will assist the EUFED Operating Director in the development of EU funded projects, in the preparation of the Annual Report, and in the evaluation of the e-learning project as well as representing EUFED at youth related meetings.
The first Equality Summit which took place in Berlin on 30 and 31st January was a major event of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All and, for the first time, brought together EU Ministers, equality bodies, trade unions employers and civil society to identify measures to make equal opportunities a reality in the EU and to share good practice on the issue of diversity. A panel of under-25s shared their expectations for the European Year with EU leaders. The conclusions are now available in English and in French. http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social
The current LIFE III programme finished at the end of 2006 and are succeeded by a new programme: LIFE+.
The first call for proposals for funding from the European Commission’s new LIFE+ programme will be issued on 15 September 2007, with the first round of projects receiving funding in October-November 2008. Speaking at Green Week 2007 in Brussels on 14 June, Philip Owen, the Head of the LIFE Unit, urged project applicants to prepare their project proposals by the deadline for the first of an expected seven annual calls for proposals for the LIFE+ programme, which runs to December 2013. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/news/futureoflife.htm
Youth Networks is the web site that makes EVS or youth projects work easier and more efficiently. Based on the needs of all international youth organisations it is a newly created web-enabled network. This service is an initiative of the Dutch NoBorders Foundation and provided FREE to all youth organisations. The network was co-founded by the Dutch National Agency of the EU. www.youthnetworks.eu
Europocket TV is the new "pocket TV" for young Europeans, broadcasting daily on Web TV, podcast and 3G phones, in English, Spanish and French. Europocket TV aims to update young people on current European affairs, on EU events and youth-related matters. Hostelling International link can now be found in the "traveling" section of Europocket TV web site. www.europocket.tv/europocket-actualidad
The European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration in the institutions and bodies of the European Union (EU). These include, among others, the European Commission, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. The European Medicines Agency and the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions are examples of Union bodies that he can investigate. More information...
AIG (Italian Youth Hostel Association) - 10th edition of Lucca Summer Festival
Elton John, Norah Jones, George Michael, Ricky Martin, Elisa, Joss Stone and Steely Dan are just few of the artists who will be performing during the Lucca Summer Festival taking place in this amazing city from 8th to 28th July 2007.
The Festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary is one of the main music events in Italy and will presents several high-quality concerts in the picturesque Piazza Napoleone. Lucca Youth Hostel is just 5 minutes walk from the concerts' venue, a perfect base to experience this event. www.ostellionline.org
15 children participating in a social inclusion project in south Dublin were given a boost last month as they enjoyed a two-day activity break in Glendalough, County Wicklow. The break, funded by Provident Financial plc and organized by An Óige, enabled the children not just to have fun but to develop skills and confidence that will last a life time. The break is part of the "Give Us a Break" project, which aims to tackle social exclusion by introducing young people to new environments and experiences, providing them with important skills and knowledge vital to everyday life.
The children were all participating in the Stay Project in Tallaght, south Dublin, which enables young people aged between 10 and 16 to stay in school through youth development activities. The group stayed at the Glendaloch International Youth Hostel, County Wicklow, and filled their days with archery, team building challenges and sightseeing.
Provident Financial and An Óige have been delivering ‘Give Us a Break’ in Ireland for almost three years. For many of the children that take part, the break is their first time away from home and it opens their eyes to new ideas and surroundings as well as building their confidence. www.anoige.ie
AN ÓIGE (Irish Youth Hostel Association) - The Countdown is on! The brand new Errigal Hostel is nearly ready
After work began last year, the new hostel in Errigal is nearly ready, less than 1 month to go!
The new Donegal hostel, which is set to open in July, lies at the foot of Donegals’ highest mountain, and is on the Ulster Way. With its 66 rooms, all ensuite, internet access, conference room facilities, restaurant and self catering facilities, the hostel also features energy saving devices such as built-in wood burning stoves.
Errigal Hostel boasts some fantastic panoramic views of Mount Errigal, and the Poisoned Glen (which has its own ghost, the Green Lady!). The Dunlewey Lakeside Centre is also within walking distance from the hostel and has something for everybody including families from boat cruises on Dunlewey Lough to playgrounds and farmyard animals to traditional music sessions. It is also situated near the Glenveagh National Park, with its castle and Italian gardens. www.anoige.ie
Work has now started on the refurbishment of Knockree Hostel in Co. Wicklow.
It will take approximately a year to build the 5 star, 88 bed, all ensuite, purpose built hostel.
We are looking forward to keeping you posted on any news on the new Knockree Hostel. www.anoige.ie
DJH (German Youth Hostel Association) - A visit in honour of Richard Schirrmann
Altena. 1.800 youth hostels in Europe, 4.000 youth hostels worldwide: the creator of Youth Hostels, Richard Schirrmann, had an ingenious idea when he founded the world’s first Youth Hostel in Altena in 1909. On 15th May 2007 the German Youth Hostel Association celebrated the 133rd anniversary of Richard Schirrmann’s. On this occasion, Bernd Dohn General Secretary of the German Youth Hostel Association, Gudrun Schirmann daughter of Richard Schirrmann, Dr. Andreas Hollstein Mayor of Altena and Joachim Barbonus Chairman of DJH Westfalia-Lippe regional Association, visited Schirrmann’s grave in Altena. Alongside Detmold and Berlin, Altena will play a central role during the DJH activities to celebrate “One Hundred Years of Youth Hostels” in 2009. The establishment and perspectives of a Youth Hostels’ museum at Altena castle were important topics discussed during this meeting. www.jugendherberge.de
(Pictured left to right: Bernd Dohn, Joachim Barbonus, Gudrun Schirrmann and Dr. Andreas Hollstein).
Detmold. The youth exchange between Germany and Israel took a very positive step forward when a DJH Board delegation, including DJH General Secretary Bernd Dohn, met in Israel from 7th to 10th June 2007. The focus of the discussions with representatives of the Israel Youth Hostel Association was the evaluation of the German-Israeli youth exchange in April 2007 which was well received by all participants. “The intensive discussions and common leisure activities of the young people are an encouraging sign of reconciliation and normalization of relations between the two countries”, stated Bernd Dohn.
In Summer 2007, a return visit by Israeli young people will take place in Dachau. Employees of both Youth Hostel Associations will also meet in September 2007 to exchange their experiences.
www.jugendherberge.de
Colditz. During the Second World War, the Nazis set up a prisoner-of-war camp for high-ranking allied officers in the palace of Colditz. This location has been reconstructed in a modern manner and was re-opened, on 16th June 2007, as the “Europe Youth Hostel” Colditz Castle with 160 beds. For nearly three years the northeast part of the has been undergoing modernization and has been transformed into one of the most up to date Youth Hostels in Germany. The historical character was retained and blended with new, colourful elements. All bedrooms are ensuite. The Youth Hostel has game facilities, seminar and conference rooms, a large terrace and an extensive park – the accommodation in Colditz Castle has high standards. An investment of 7,4 million Euros was necessary, with 300.000 Euros generated by the DJH Regional Association of Saxony for equipment. The name “Europe Youth Hostel” underlines the international character of this location. Comprehensive Hostel information is available and displayed also in English. Angela Braasch-Eggert DJH president, has chosen this Hostel to be the venue for several nation-wide events in 2009, when DJH will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Bernd Dohn DJH General Secretary, expects the castle to give a fresh international impetus to the German Youth Hostel network. www.jugendherberge.de
After 8 months of refurbishment, La Palud Youth Hostel reopened its doors in late April. The Youth Hostel is located in the centre of the Regional Nature Park of "Gorges du Verdon" in the heart of Provence and provides 68 beds in 16 bedrooms. It is equipped with solar panels for the generation of hot water, and offers a spectacular view on the Gorges.
The Gorges of the Verdon are famous for being the most beautiful canyon in Europe. They present gigantic limestone cliffs which offer multiple sports such as climbing, parapente, rafting, fishing...
www.fuaj.org
From 6th to 10th June 2007, the French Youth Hostel Association took part in an event organized by the Council of Europe in Monopoli (Italy): "Mediterranean Crossroads". With the aim of reinforcing the fight against racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and intolerance, Fanny Rouanet the Youth Coordinator of FUAJ, represented the "French Committee for National and International Relations of Youth and Non formal Education Organisations". This event gave all the participants a better understanding of the Mediterranean as a “border” which divides and a “bridge” which unites Europe, Asia and Africa. The declaration document will be soon available at www.fuaj.org
The Vilarinho das Furnas Youth Hostel was officially reopened on 18th May 2007, after being closed for nine months. With an investment of about 3 million Euros the refurbished Hostel now offers modern, comfortable and well-equipped facilities and can accommodate 192 guests in 24 twin en-suite rooms (two suitable for wheelchair users), 30 four-bedded rooms and six bungalows with two twin rooms each.
The Youth Hostel is located in the heart of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, in the extreme northwest of Portugal, between the Alto Minho and Trás-os-Montes, which constitutes the only Portuguese protected area classified as a National Park.
Peneda-Gerês has ideal conditions for activities such as canyonning or canoeing, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, abseiling and slide. If you prefer, just go for a walk and discover the well-preserved world of Gerês, where you will see dolmens and cromlechs, mediaeval castles or monasteries and sanctuaries that are perfectly integrated in the landscape. Vilarinho das Furnas Youth Hostel offers a friendly and relaxing stay for those who seek tranquillity and nature so it will mostly appeal to people seeking “Nature and Adventure” breaks. www.pousadasjuventude.pt
From 28th to 30th September 2007, the Champlon Youth Hostel will organise a special "bell of the stag" weekend.
For more information on the programme...
On 6th June 2007, the European Union Youth Fair took place in Klagenfurt to coincide with the European Youth Week (3rd to 10th June 2007) under the slogan "EXPLORE THE WORLD". The Youth Unit of the Government of Carinthia hosted the event where young experts related their experiences and presented different ways of spending time abroad to Carinthian young people.
The slogan illustrated the objectives of the European Youth Week: to encourage young people to make their own way to Europe where they can extend their horizons and gain valuable experience for their own development, for training and jobs. Young people aged 15 to 25 heard answers to questions like which kind of foreign internships are available? How to apply? How much does it cost? Answers were provided by the EU Austrian National Agency for the Youth in Action programme but also by young people who already gained experiences abroad in au pair and foreign services.
EUFED President Peter Kaiser attended the event and presented the Hostelling International Membership Card. www.hiyou.at
In July 2007, Stayokay will open another Hostel in Amsterdam with 450 beds all in ensuite rooms. The rebuilding started in June 2006. Stayokay Amsterdam Zeeburg will be housed in a former school building dating from the earlyf 1900s, located in a quiet, typical Amsterdam neighbourhood. The centre of Amsterdam is only 15 minutes away by bicycle or tram. Stayokay Amsterdam Zeeburg will have its own café/restaurant. The old school is set to become a hub of entertainment, boasting a cinema, theatre hall and café/restaurant to name but a few attractions. So guests at Stayokay Amsterdam Zeeburg can enjoy films, theatrical performances and special events.
A trip to Scotland wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Scottish Highlands. For many people the highlands "are" Scotland and they certainly live up to their picture postcard image. Known as the Capital of the Highlands, Inverness offers a great base from which to explore the city and the surrounding areas. SYHA is offering the chance to enjoy a two night stay at their 4 star Inverness Youth Hostel. Situated close to the town centre, the Hostel offers superb facilities, including a large self catering kitchen, private & family rooms and many with en suite facilities. The hostel is a popular choice for groups, families and independent travellers looking for a holiday or short break.
The package includes:
- Welcome pack on arrival
- 2 nights accommodation in Inverness Youth Hostel
- Continental breakfast
- Hop on Hop off city bus tour of Inverness
- Jacobite coach & cruise of Loch Ness and visit to the historic Urquhart Castle (2 ½ hours)
More information: www.syha.org.uk
SYHA has superb summer Hostels open only throughout July and August.
With excellent locations, great facilities and private rooms, the summer hostels make an ideal base for exploring the Fife coastal town of St Andrews or the vibrant city of Edinburgh during festival time.
YHA E&W (Youth Hostel Association England & Wales) - Skiddaw House returns
Legendary Lakeland fell-walkers’ favourite YHA Skiddaw House is back in business after a five year break.
Built in 1840, England’s most remote bunkhouse stands 1,550 feet above sea level in the shadow of Skiddaw, near Keswick, and is a three-mile walk from the nearest road.
It provides great value self-catering accommodation for walkers and cyclists looking to explore the unique Back o’ Skiddaw area. It has 15 beds in four dormitories and has flush toilets, gas ring cookers and wood burning stoves as well as great access to Skiddaw, Lonscale Fell, Great Calva and Blencathra. The property still has no mains electricity so remember to take a torch. www.yha.org.uk
The year 2007 presented a new face to Bucharest, the capital of Romania, as the number of Youth Hostels started to grow. In April two new Hostels, the Midland Hostel and the Lucky House Hostel, both centrally located, joined the Romanian Youth Hostel Association network. Both Hostels were visited by the official delegation of the Youth Hostel Association Romania and, since 15th June, the Lucky Hostel is bookable on-line on www.hihostels.com. Today, together with the 2 other existing hostels in Bucharest, the Romanian Association is able to provide 84 beds for guests who arrive in the capital city, and start their journey from there. www.hihostels-romania.ro
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
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