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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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The last Executive Committee teleconference took place on 9th November 2007. The main issues were the preparation of EUFED General Assembly and European Regional Youth Hostel Conference taking place in Zurich Youth Hostel on 24th and 25th November 2007 and the implementation of the Third Way strategy.
The application for funding under the Action 4.3 of the EU Youth in Action Programme was accepted and officially announced on 29th October. The seminar will take place in Leuven Youth Hostel (Belgium) on 21st and 22nd February 2008 and will involve 43 delegates from 15 national Youth Hostel Associations and like-minded Organisations in Europe.
The objectives of the seminar are to bring together key representatives from several national Youth Hostel Associations in Europe and other guest speakers, in order to exchange best practice and develop new strategies to set up social inclusion actions which are providing travel or holiday opportunities for those most at risk of disadvantage in society (young people with fewer opportunities, young people belonging to a minority, migrants) to experience the benefits of participation in educational, social, cultural and recreational activities within the fun and friendly environment of a Youth Hostel setting.
The 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities was launched in Berlin in January under the auspices of the German EU Presidency. EUFED Operating Director - Mario Mohr - has been invited to join the closing event that will take place in Lisbon with the Portuguese Presidency at the Cultural Centre Belém, on 19th and 20th November 2007.
The event will bring together up to 600 participants from the 30 countries involved in the European Year. Portuguese Prime Minister José Socrates and Commissioner Vladimir Špidla will launch the event together with the Portuguese Ministers of Labour and Social Solidarity and of the Presidency. ec.europa.eu/employment_social
On Saturday 29th September 2007, EUFED Operating Director - Mario Mohr, and Fanny Rouanet (EUFED Youth Committee and representative from FUAJ - the French Youth Hostel Association) attended this unique event and had the opportunity to meet with EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Vladimír Špidla who was a key speaker at EUFED 20th Anniversary celebration on 3rd May 2007 and Justine Henin the famous Belgian tennis player and guest star of Job Day Europe 2007!
On 15th October, the European Youth Forum organized a Training and Information Day on Funding targeted at INGYOs seeking updated information on funding opportunities in Europe. It provided practical information and guidance relating to the call for proposals 2008 concerning Action 4.1. of the Youth in Action Programme which purpose is to provide support for the permanent activities of bodies active at European level in the field of youth and pursuing an aim which is of general European interest. EUFED application was sent within the deadline on 31st October 2007. A response is expected in April. More information
EUFED Project Assistant attends EU Open Days
On 10th and 11th October 2007, Carolin Hee - EUFED Project Assistant - attended the following workshops at the 5th OPEN DAYS-European Week of Regions and Cities organised by the Committee of the Regions:
- Regions and Cities of Science
- New tools for regional development
- Transnational and interregional cooperation: a mechanism to improve the quality and effectiveness of the European Social Fund
The INTERACT Programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). ERDF helps reduce the gap between development levels and living standards among the regions and the extent to which least-favoured regions are lagging behind.
The seminar took place on 25 and 26 September in Brussels and was targeted at representatives of organisations and staff with no previous experience in INTERREG management at programme/project level. Presentations, case studies and practical exercises in working groups allowed participants to explore the issues to be faced within the European Territorial Cooperation Objective, including the technical and practical requirements for a successful implementation of the 2007-2013 programmes and projects.
Following the discussions which took place during the seminar, you will find further information below in "Live from Brussels" on the INTERREG IVC and INTERREG IIIB programmes. www.interact-eu
The INTERREG IVC Programme is part of the European Territorial Cooperation Objective. It is a EU programme that helps regions of Europe to work together to share their knowledge and experience. Launched in 2007, the programme will run until 2013. The programme provides funding for all regions of Europe plus Switzerland and Norway (regional and local public authorities) to exchange and transfer knowledge and good practice. Two main priorities are targeted: "Innovation and Knowledge economy" and "Environment and Risk prevention".
The first INTERREG IVC call for proposals was launched on 21st September 2007 and will close on 15th January 2008. The official text of the first call for proposal is available here.
During the period 2000-2006, the first transnational EU cooperation programme was launched for the Alps. The INTERREG IIIB Alpine Space Programme represented an integrated strategic approach of the area aiming to encourage a stronger cohesion between sectoral and horizontal policies of the area. The transnational cooperation continues in the next Structural Fund period running from 2007 to 2013, under the European Territorial Cooperation objective. The documents of the preparation process of the Alpine Space Programme are now available: more information... 
The recommendations of the Committee of Ministers to Member States on the legal status of non-governmental organisations in Europe were adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 10th October 2007 at the 1006th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies.
Full text...
Recognising the crucial role that tourism plays for the EU economy, the Commission adopted in March 2006 a renewed Tourism Policy with the main objective to contribute to "improving the competitiveness of the European tourism industry and creating more and better jobs through the sustainable growth of tourism in Europe and globally".
The “Agenda for a sustainable and competitive European tourism” therefore fulfils a long-term commitment taken by the European Commission and further supported by the other European institutions. It builds on the Tourism Sustainability Group report and on the results of the ensuing public consultation exercise0. The agenda represents a further contribution to the implementation of the renewed Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs1 and of the renewed Sustainable Development Strategy. To read the Agenda...
This report updates the Commission’s first analysis of the European tourism sector and extends it to the tourism industry of the enlarged Community. It reveals that Europe is a very stable tourist destination compared to other large regions in the world. The enlargement process contributed to this by inducing international arrivals not only in the new Member States, but also between old and new Member States. The still existing gaps in income and the differences in travel habits open a tremendous number of business opportunities and offer incentives to improve competitiveness. To read the report...
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/services/tourism/studies_and_publications.htm
The European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), supported by EUFED, is a democratic movement demanding the legal introduction of the right of initiative. Once introduced into European law, ECI will require EU institutions to respond to every new proposal signed by at least one million EU citizens, if it takes into account democratic and human rights values. This will enable citizens to directly influence the political agenda of the European Union for the first time in history.
After two years, the European Citizens’ Initiative has found it’s place in the new EU Reform Treaty and has come to a successful end. In early November the collected signatures were handed over to the President of the European Parliament. More information...
The European Commission has adopted two Operational Programmes that frame actions under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund in Estonia for the next seven years. The programmes are entitled: "Development of economic environment" and "Development of living environment". The implementation of EU Cohesion policy can now start on the ground. More information...On 22 October, the European Union launched its latest competition to raise awareness of issues around diversity with an advertisement spot on MTV, the world’s largest youth channel. It calls on viewers to enter artwork that, for them, represents diversity and equality. The competition is part of the “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” campaign and the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. Part of its mission is to inform youth of the EU’s encouragement of diversity and active fight against discrimination. The competition’s entry period will run until 8 December and the winner will be announced on 17 December 2007. More information... MEPs adopted a report on the new allocation of seats in the European Parliament after the next legislative elections, in 2009. More information...
AN ÓIGE (Irish Youth Hostel Association) - Errigal update
An Óige's new and improved Errigal Hostel opened its doors to the public this summer and has been exceeding An Óige's expectations ever since! It even made its television debut on the RTE programme Nationwide last month! Errigal is a 5 star hostel with some ensuite rooms, while other rooms are built in a mezzanine fashion which is perfect for groups or families. The hostel features all the characteristics of a top rated hostel including a large comfortable common room, a cosy room, restaurant, internet access, self catering kitchen and more. Energy saving devices such as wood burning stoves have been incorporated into the building. The hostel is situated overlooking the Poisoned Glen in Dunlewey and at the foot of Errigal Mountain. www.anoige.ie
DJH (German Youth Hostel Association) - Dessau: strolling through the centuries
The city of Dessau, in Saxony-Anhalt, is well known for its “Bauhaus” (avant-garde institute for arts, design and architecture). Recently, a new Youth Hostel was opened precisely in the neighbourhood of this world cultural heritage. The former boarding-school provides 150 beds in 43 rooms, all ensuite and 4 rooms are suitable for wheelchair users. The Youth Hostel offers a large terrace and a garden with enough space for sports and leisure activities.
For individual guests and school groups there are many more attractions: beavers can be observed in the biosphere reserve by the river Elbe, and in the famous landscape park “Gartenreich”/”garden realm”, designed according to English and French models, strollers get a taste of ancient times. There is also a 12th century castle surrounded by water and two castles built in baroque and classic style. www.jugendherberge.de
The Spanish and German Youth Hostel Associations are exchanging ideas on regular basis. From 14th to 16th September 2007, REAJ and DJH Board Members met in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Bavaria) to draft an agreement in order to intensify their cooperation. The paper covers the exchange of interns/trainees and staff, the promotion of Youth Hostels in their respective media and programmes for school groups.
REAJ (232 Youth Hostels and 3,2 million overnights) and DJH (562 Youth Hostels and 10 million overnights) are the major Youth Hostel Associations in Europe. www.jugendherberge.de - www.reaj.com
From left to right: Dr. Friedich Hirsch-DJH Vice-President, Juan Manuel Castillo Manzano-REAJ National secretary,
Angela Braasch-Eggert-DJH President, Mariano Chiesa-REAJ International Relations Officer,
Stephan Riese-DJH National Office and Xabier Sanchez Robles-REAJ President
For more than 50 years, DJH and the Israel Youth Hostel Association (IYHA) have established friendly relationships. A group composed of DJH staff and volunteers visited Israel from 2nd to 7th September 2007.
The itinerary included the Youth Hostels of Beit Shean, Tel Hai, Jaffa and Jerusalem. All of them offer high standard accommodation. IYHA was the first Youth Hostel Organisation to have its Hostels certified according to DIN ISO 9001 in 1996.
On this occasion, both partner Associations took the opportunity to discuss the exchange projects anticipated to take place in 2008.
Mr Burkhard Fieber, leader of the German delegation, conveyed sincere thanks to the Israeli partners for their hospitable and professional care and highlighted that DJH representatives were impressed by the detailed information given on issues like marketing and quality management. www.jugendherberge.de
The completely renovated Pontarlier Youth Hostel reopened its doors after several months of closing.
In the heart of the city of Pontarlier, the Gateway to Haut-Doubs, the Youth Hostel provides 80 beds distributed in 2 to 6-bedded rooms. In addition, it is now well adapted to families with ensuite rooms. It is in the cosy atmosphere of the evenings by the fire place that the Youth Hostel combines the best authenticity and local gastronomy.
This ancient Gallo-Roman city, nestling in a bosky bower, is the second highest city of France (837 m) and is regarded as the economic and cultural capital of the Haut-Doubs thanks to its dynamic population. The mountains and nature are omnipresent, tourists and Pontissaliens (inhabitants of Pontarlier) practice numerous activities (among others, cross-country ski of course!) in these exceptional surroundings. www.fuaj.org
In May, 3 Youth Hostel Managers who are trainers in the field of HI minimum standards, new HI-Quality system and Hostel management, visited several Libyan Youth Hostels. The objective was to help Libyan Youth Hostel Managers in going ahead with quality, implementing HI minimum standards and improving the running of the Hostels. At the end, the French trainers produced a quality diagnosis.
In June, following this exchange, 3 delegates from the Libyan Youth Hostel Association came to France. They met the staff at FUAJ Head Office and visited several Youth Hostels. This was an opportunity to exchange best practices and experiences. After this four day trip to Grenoble, Annecy and Lyon, Anwar T. Abouzed, in charge of international relations and marketing at LYHA and Edith Arnoult-Brill, General Secretary of FUAJ met and took a step forward to the development of the Associations‘ collaboration like the twinning of Youth Hostels, international youth exchanges, minimum standards training, etc. www.fuaj.org
For the fourth time, Dinan Youth Hostel staff wanted to share their values with young European citizens from Sweden, Germany, Romania, Spain and France.
In the framework of the EU Youth in Action Programme, 25 young people spent 2 weeks together within the context of the theme: “Ecological House”.
The programme focused on helping the participants to learn and think about different ecological ways of construction through work camp and observation. Fortnight was punctuated by intercultural games, cultural nights, visits to Brittany’s sites, meeting with locals and participation in work camps. This youth exchange was a great success for all the young European participants. For more information, please contact Fanny Rouanet, fanny.rouanet@fuaj.org - www.fuaj.org
For many years now, La Rochelle Youth Hostel has been managing international youth exchanges. This year, during one week, 18 young people talked and shared their points of view on maritime environment protection.
The will of FUAJ is to communicate its ecological values, to create links between youth all over the world and to make youth responsible for volunteer projects. In this respect, Kévin Eléonor for the “three day visit of Paris” and Christelle Clayssac for the “week in La Rochelle” were in charge of the youth exchange and they managed very well. Congratulations to both of them!
For more information, please contact Fanny Rouanet, fanny.rouanet@fuaj.org - www.fuaj.org
This autumn, as each year, FUAJ is meeting the public to present its network of Youth Hostels in France.
From 17th to 21st October, at the “Salon de l’Education” (educational fair) in Namur (Belgium) and from 22nd to 25th November in Paris, the students, professors and other actors of the educational medium will be able to discover FUAJ's educational packages and best adapted Youth Hostels for groups. The Youth Hostel Associations “Les Auberges de Jeunesse” (French-speaking part of Belgium), Hi-USA and Hi-Canada will share a booth with FUAJ in Paris. Also present at the “Forum Jeunes & International” (fair for young people who want to find information on how to travel, work and study abroad), in Lorient on 14th and 15th November, FUAJ will inform young people who wish to travel to Europe and worldwide to work, study or discover the social interaction of the Youth Hostels. www.fuaj.org
The Youth Hostel Associations wishing to provide information material (brochures, leaflets, posters, etc.) to distribute during the fair, are welcome! Please contact Cécile Yerle: cecile.yerle@fuaj.org
In August, the Youth Hostel Jacques Brel celebrated its 20th Anniversary. In 20 years, more than 850.000 overnights were recorded from 500.000 people, and 120 nationalities woke up in Brussels! Now, LAJ ambition is to continue for the next 20 years to welcome young people with their geographical and cultural diversity and to provide them with comfort, welcome, quality and security.
LAJ President, Christian Vanderwinnen, highlighted "The tourism of the young people will still evolve, the demands of the young people will change, but we shall remain ready to adapt to it while keeping our specificity, that is to participate in this long adventure of the social tourism which knows how to conjugate professionalism, respect for the visitors and the determination that any realized profit is in the only purpose to improve still and always our working tool, in the respect for those who work with us." To read the full speech (in French)... - www.laj.be
Idanha-a-Nova Youth Hostel was officially opened on 4th August 2007. This refurbished secular building, located in the town centre, offers modern, comfortable and well-equipped facilities and accommodates 66 guests in a choice of twin rooms (one suitable for wheelchair users), double rooms, family rooms (all ensuite) and shared dormitory.
The historical city and surroundings, located in the centre-east of Portugal, are ideal for nature lovers and people seeking a calm atmosphere. Idanha-a-Nova is surrounded by authentic and outstanding landscapes where nature can be explored in the International Tagus Natural Park on the border with Spain or in the Penha Garcia forest and mountain. These natural sites are a perfect choice for those seeking outdoor action and adventure with activities as diverse as hiking, climbing, mountain-biking, horse riding, bird watching, canoeing, paragliding and much much more! www.pousadasjuventude.pt
The summer season in ÖJHV's Youth Hostels of Carinthia was marked by lively activities and a great diversity of groups:
- Again, the Study and Leisure Camps in Cap Wörth Youth Hostel (organised in co-operation with Austrian Holidays) were a huge success.
- A family leisure programme with a regional activity programme was organised for the sixth time this year.
- A leisure week for the children of the Chernobyl victims could also be organised once more.
- Great regional attention was generated by an EU project for pupils which dealt with the deportation of Carinthian Slovenes from South Carinthia during the nazi regime. A German school from Mohringen (several deported Slovenes were detained in the concentration camp of Mohringen) set off on a “trace hunt” together with a partner school from Carinthia. They created a touching and impressive final work.
OEJHV's Youth Hostels are the ideal basis for sports competitions and group events as well: the GO WM in Carinthia, the Beach Volleyball Grand Slam and the Iron man Austria in Klagenfurt, soccer and volleyball camps in Velden, ice hockey and floor ball training camps in Villach as well as the Großglockner mountain race were all successful and “bed-filling” events during this year's exceptional summer in the sunny South of Austria. www.hiyou.at
Pod Skalo is the name of the native house, situated close below the Northern slope of the Old Castle, and known for its hospitality since the 18th century. The building itself is some hundred years old and lies between the hill and the road leading across the Tuhinj Valley to Styria.
Now, the modernized house provides 9 twin-bedded or double-bedded rooms and one triple-bedded room, all ensuite, equipped with TV and radio connections as well as wireless internet. The Youth Hostel is located near a sport ground with a swimming pool, tennis courts and beach volley area. www.youth-hostel.si
The Swiss Youth Hostel Association and especially Zurich Youth Hostel were honoured with a special award “for a conscious and successful modification of a building from the 1960’s and for an excellent corporate philosophy within social tourism” by the ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites). The Swiss Youth Hostels offer a broad range of historically important buildings: among these, castles and chateaux and some significant contemporary witnesses of the modern era. In 1965, the then existing barrack at Mutschellen Street was replaced by a modern new building, created by Ernst Gisel, a famous architect from Zurich. Thanks to the renovation during 2002 and 2004, the Zurich Youth Hostel was adapted to the current needs of the guests. www.youthhostel.ch
On 13th November in Bern, Fredi Gmür, Managing Director of the Swiss Youth Hostel Association, and René Dobler, Managing Director of the Swiss Foundation for Social Tourism, received the “Milestone” – Swiss tourism prize - in recognition of the Swiss Youth Hostel Association’s strategy for sustainable development. The non profit organisation sees this award as a confirmation of its work on environmental issues for more than 10 years. For the past decade, environmental management has been an integral part of the Swiss Association’s approach and is a policy which has been constantly implemented. This is a field in which the Swiss Youth Hostels have been able to mark more than just one milestone in the past! www.youthhostel.ch
YHA’s new Chairman, Chris Darmon, believes YHA should be the natural provider of outdoor education for all young people. Chris, elected at YHA’s Annual General Meeting, wants to see the organisation expand through working with others in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Chris has had a lifelong involvement with the organisation. He first stayed with YHA as a twelve year old on a YHA Eagle Adventure holiday – an early forerunner of today’s summer camps programme - and worked as a seasonal assistant and holiday leader before becoming involved with regional committees in the seventies.
He went on to become a member of YHA’s National Executive Council and YHA’s vice chairman, a post he has held for the last ten years. Chris paid tribute to the outgoing Chairman, Chris Boulton, who he said had the difficult task of guiding YHA out of the aftermath of the Food and Mouth outbreak in 2001. Read the full article... - www.yha.org.uk
Construction work is almost complete and bookings are now being taken as the brand new YHA National Forest prepares to open its doors.
The first guests are due to arrive in December at the modern 74-bed facility, which is packed with environmentally-friendly features and offers easy access to the neighbouring Conkers visitor attraction. YHA National Forest is the culmination of a project that began five years ago. A major fundraising effort resulted in awards from a number of bodies including £1.78m from East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and Leicester Shire Economic Partnership. The design has exacting 'green' credentials so YHA National Forest is truly a building of its time and place. Features include:
- A wood-fuelled boiler, using sustainable wood chips sourced locally in the Forest.
- Water heated by solar panels.
- Roof overhangs creating pleasant shaded veranda spaces, and preventing overheating through the windows.
- Internal shutters that insulate against extremes of heat and cold.
- Vents at the top of the building providing in-built ventilation and removing any need for air-conditioning.
- Underground tanks holding rain captured for 'greywater use'.
- Spray taps and showers, not baths, to reduce water consumption.
The accommodation is built to a VisitBritain four-star standard and comes in 23 two and four-bedded ensuite rooms. It also has a coffee bar, restaurant, bar and games room. www.yha.org.uk
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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