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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 EUFED General Assembly took place in Zurich Youth Hostel on 24th November 2007 and was hosted by SJH, the Swiss Youth Hostel Association.
- The General Assembly approved the draft 2007 Annual Report and the 2008 Action Plan and Budget.
- Mariano Chiesa from the Spanish Youth Hostel Association, REAJ, was elected as Executive Committee member for a four-year term of office.
- The Polish Youth Hostel Association was accepted as Observer member of EUFED.
- The proposed Third Way Strategy developed by EUFED Task Groups, including the Marketing Paper, was adopted.
The French-speaking Belgian Youth Hostel Association, LAJ (Les Auberges de Jeunesse), will be hosting next year's General Assembly in Namur on the occasion of their 75th Anniversary. The dates set for this are 22nd and 23rd November 2008.
EUFED General Assembly and XVII European Regional Conference on EUFED website...
The XVII European Regional Conference was held on 24th and 25th November 2007 at Zurich Youth Hostel. The event gathered 41 delegates from 17 national Youth Hostel Associations, from IYHF (the International Youth Hostel Federation) and from EUFED Executive Committee and secretariat.
The delegates discussed the Third Way strategy proposal developed by the three EUFED Task Groups, and how this strategy can help to achieve increased and better cooperation on a trans-European level as well as fostering Youth Hostelling in an increasingly competitive environment. The delegates also discussed the preparation for the IYHF 47th World Conference, to be held in Cairo, Egypt, from 20th to 24th May 2008. More information...
On 6th and 7th December, EUFED's Operating Director attended the Joint International Seminar on Tourism Market Segmentation which took place in Amsterdam, organised by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the European Travel Commission (ETC).
This seminar aimed to help bridge the gap between segmentation relating to the marketing of destinations by national tourism organisations and/or destination management organisations, by discussing Segmentation theories and practices which are set out in the recently published ETC-UNWTO handbook on Tourism Market Segmentation. For further information, please contact EUFED office.
EUFED's Operating Director was invited to attend the official conference
which gathered over 700 participants from 30 countries involved with the European Year. The event took place in Lisbon, in the Centro Cultural Belém on 19th and 20th November, and was hosted by the Portuguese EU Presidency with the presence of Mr Nikolaus VAN DER PAS, Director General of the European Commission DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.
The closing conference celebrated the success of the Year and looked back on the diverse and enriching activities that took place across Europe. It also provided a perfect opportunity to identify which activity programmes will be continued and therefore become the legacy of the Year going forward. The Conference was attended by national anti-discrimination and equality authorities, national social partners, national NGOs and also by a delegation of EU-wide NGOs and social partners. Moreover, representatives of the EU institutions (Commission, Parliament, Committee of the Regions and Economic and Social Committee) joined the festivities.
Youth Hostel annual membership cards were offered by EUFED to a panel of 8 young Europeans from Belgium, Greece, Germany, Ireland, Estonia, Portugal and Sweden, whose accounts of daily experience of discrimination were inspirational for the discussions held at the Berlin Equality Summit and who were also taking an active part in the Lisbon closing event. ec.europa.eu/employment
Carolin Hee, who started her work for EUFED on 12th June 2007, has now left the office at the end of her contract period. Carolin was a committed and motivated team member and contributed to the development of the new design of EUFED Annual Report: www.eufed.org/2007_annualReport.pdf
We are pleased to report that Carolin will remain a part of EUFED's work and objectives as she has agreed to become a member of the EUFED Youth Committee.
The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (EYID) recognises that Europe's great cultural diversity represents a unique advantage. It will encourage all those living in Europe to explore the benefits of our rich cultural heritage and opportunities to learn from different cultural traditions.
The Year will feature a small number of flagship projects on a European level, as well as EU support for a national project in each Member State, and a Partner programme aimed at mobilising civil society. The active involvement of civil society will be essential in highlighting good practices and identifying needs in intercultural dialogue. Well-known ambassadors have also been appointed to raise awareness of the importance and benefits of intercultural dialogue. www.interculturaldialogue2008
On 29th November 2007, the European Parliament adopted by a large majority the EU Parliament Resolution on a "Renewed EU Tourism Policy: towards a stronger partnership for European Tourism", recognising the importance of environmental and social dimension and calling for Member States to support sustainable and competitive European tourism. To read the full text... 
The 2008 call for proposals is your next chance to apply for IEE funding. It will be published in late February 2008. Some € 50 million will be made available. More information...
Addressed to policy-makers and the wider public, the European Commission DG
Environment “Science for Environment Policy” news alert is designed to reinforce
the links between science and policy. The News Alert is disseminated weekly by email
and completely free of charge. More information...
Do you have something to say? Are you between 12 and 21 years old? Express yourself! Get your views across by making one-minute video and enter "theoneminutesjr" competition! The style is completely up to you. It could be a music video, a film, a short documentary, an animation, a cartoon...
Deadline for submitting the video is 1st April 2008. europa.eu/youth/new
AIG's network continues to grow and now offers a wider choice and quality to worldwide members as well as an enlarged network for Italians. Eight new Hostels (making a total of 126) were recently opened, from the mountains of the northern cities to the sea of the south.
In the mountain village of Pontboset near Aosta, a 400-year old building, now perfectly refurbished, hosts the new Youth Hostel. Another Youth Hostel has been opened in the city of Parma, a medieval jewel.
Nearby or lying on the Adriatic coast, HI members can now stay in the new Youth Hostels:
- of San Benedetto del Tronto (Marche region), near Ancona, just a few hundred metres from the beach,
- of Jesi (Marche region) , birthplace of the Emperor Federico II
- of Bari (Puglia region) ancient city filled with history
- and in Campania, Sorrento Youth Hostel opened its doors in a city of songs and poems.
In Sardegna, the Cagliari Youth Hostel is ideally situated in the historic centre for guests to discover every part of this fascinating city. On the west side of Sardegna, the latest new structure is Oristano Youth Hostel with its quiet charm and the opportunity for cyclists to get to the beach via a cyclie road that starts from the Youth Hostel. www.ostellionline.org
An Óige are delighted to announce that the old Knockree Hostel in Co Wicklow was demolished during Summer 2007 and is making way for the brand new, purpose built Hostel that will appeal to everyone! The new and improved Knockree Hostel will be another 5 star property in An Óige network and work is well under way!
The Knockree hostel will be open by May 2008 and will boast a modern building with 80 beds, all the usual hostel features i.e. self catering facilities, kitchen and common rooms to name a few.
www.anoige.ie
On 22nd November 2007, CAJL received the DME (Design Management Europe) award. The DME Award demonstrates that integrating design with business strategy can increase competitiveness and economic success.
The aim of CAJL's design strategy was to develop, alongside improvements to the Luxembourg Youth Hostels' infrastructure, services and catering, its own young, modern visual identity through architecture, design, graphic and web design. To strengthen commitment to the International Youth Hostel Federation, national logos were abolished and the well-known brand of hostelling international, which stands as a label of quality, was integrated into the national corporate design. www.youthhostels.lu
DJH (German Youth Hostel Association) - Financial support for Nabeul Youth Hostel
The Youth Hostel Associations of Tunisia (ATATJ) and Germany are planning to cooperate more closely, as the result of talks between a delegation of ATATJ and representatives of DJH.
During his visit to Germany, the President of ATATJH, Hafaiedh Abdallah, expressed his hope to get financial support from DJH for the renovation of Nabeul Youth Hostel. The house, ideally located by Mediterranean sea, needs urgent refurbisment. This should contribute to more young Germans spending their holidays in Tunisia.
During the last year, 27 young Germans worked as trainees in Canadian Youth Hostels whilst only two young Canadians came to Germany for internship. But, as the result of the consultation between representatives of the Youth Hostel Associations of the US, Canada and Germany in October 2007 in Boston (USA), this situation will change rapidly.
DJH President Angela Braasch-Eggert welcomed interns in Germany, not only in summer time, but also all year round.
www.jugendherberge.de
A Japanese delegation of Youth Hostel managers and staff members visited Germany in October 2007.
They were interested in the programmes of German Youth Hostels, particularly in those focusing on cultural education and international guests.
They visited several Youth Hostels in the region of Baden-Wuerttemberg and Saxony and learned a lot about cooperation with local authorities. In Japan there are only a few experiences of this.
www.jugendherberge.de
On 14 & 15 November 2007, FUAJ was present at the second edition of the Forum for Youth and International Mobility called “On the way to the World” which took place in Lorient in Brittany.
Organized by the Youth Information Office of Lorient in partnership with other local youth associations, this Forum works to facilitate the worldwide youth mobility while bringing concrete answers to their projects. This forum aims to enable young people to find answers about studies, training courses, jobs abroad, “au pair” experiences, international voluntary camps, exchange programmes, European voluntary Service, project’s support, health insurances, transport, administrative formalities…
FUAJ, and by extension the HI network, was asked to take a stand as a community partner working in the international sector with experience of international travel. FUAJ’s representatives were able to update the young visitors and distributed leaflets about the HI network associations. www.fuaj.org
In one year of welcoming European volunteers, Biarritz Youth Hostel wanted to introduce an intercultural dimension to its activities and in the region, to promote interactions with young people from all over the world.
Julia (from Germany) and Pavel (from Slovakia) bring a European element to the staff and guests staying at the Youth Hostel, while offering different and new perspectives.
Biarritz Youth Hostel staff wanted to receive volunteers because this project gives young Europeans the opportunity to try a new experience, to broaden their knowledge, improve their practices and meet different people. The two projects currently implemented by Julia and Pavel are “Promotion of Young Local Artists” and “Environmental Education”. www.fuaj.org
As part of « Peace Education Week », the staff of Lille Youth Hostel ran several peace-related activities (expression and board games, written games and presentation of films on peace, etc.)
They organised an event based on “tasting food from all over the world”, inspired by the daily life of the Youth Hostels. As a result, a dozen participants offered to prepare dishes from their native countries including dishes from Bulgaria, Senegal, Palestine, Belgium and France. In an “auberge espagnole” spirit, the chefs-for-a-night presented their dishes in English, Spanish and French, and at the end of the evening, more than forty guests, members and local residents, gathered around the table. Once again, an intercultural encounter was enjoyed by all in the heart of the Youth Hostel. www.fuaj.org
For the first time, Mulhouse Youth Hostel organised a European youth exchange as part of the EU Youth in Action Programme. The positive experiences of international youth encounters at Dinan, Brive and La Rochelle Youth Hostels have inspired Mulhouse to become a project leader.
Young people from MJC (Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture) from Pfastatt got together for the first time on 24th October to gain a better understanding of the programme and compare their expectations for the organisation of the exchange. Once the young people have agreed the topic and activities for the encounter, they will look for European partners. LAJ (the Belgian French-speaking Youth Hostel Association) and DJH (the German Youth Hostel Association) have already confirmed their support. If you are interested in taking part in this project, please contact fanny.rouanet@fuaj.org at FUAJ. www.fuaj.org
Within the framework of the forthcoming agreement between the Tunisian Youth Hostel Association (ATATJ) and FUAJ, a delegation of Tunisian Youth Hostel directors took part in the annual FUAJ three days training on “IYHF quality standards” managed by four directors of FUAJ.
IYHF minimum standards were presented and the participants expressed how the application of minimal standards worked in their respective Youth Hostels. This training is one more positive step in the development of FUAJ and ATATJ collaboration. www.fuaj.org
The aim of the week was to raise awareness on global issues and to commit to more justice and solidarity. The Youth Hostel offered concrete advice to participants and to local community on citizenship and solidarity.
Sessions mixing discovery and reflection were organised, covering reports and debates on militant tourism, fair-trade market, fair-trade workshop and a lecture on the experience of a trip to Africa focused on the visit of thirty fair-trade cooperatives.
During this international week, participants were able to visit exhibitions on several issues such as “immigration, in order to live together”, “international solidarity, exchange of knowledge”...
www.fuaj.org
Arrifana and Espinho youth hostels were officially opened respectively on 24th and 30th November 2007. These two brand new 
purpose-build hostels offer modern, comfortable and well-equipped facilities.
Espinho Youth Hostel accommodates 62 guests in a choice of 7 twin ensuite rooms (1 suitable for wheelchair users) and 12 four-bedded rooms. Espinho, a vibrant and modern city as well as one of the main tourist resorts of northern Portugal with an extensive beach coast, provides the traveller with a variety of entertainment options, for instance the many cultural events, some internationally renowned as the “Cinanima – International Animated Film Festival”; the secular weekly fair taking place every Monday; the exciting nightlife with its many restaurants, bars and clubs.
Arrifana Youth Hostel offers 48 beds in a choice of 1 twin ensuite rooms (suitable for whellchair users), 11 four-bedded rooms and 1 two-bedded room (bunk beds). Arrifana, a year round favourite beach for surfers and body boarders, is also ideal for nature lovers or simply for people looking for relaxation. Located in Costa Vicentina Natural Park, Arrifana is one of the prettiest beaches with a reputation for fine grilled fish and for stunning natural landscapes, providing an excellent example of balance between human settlement and the natural environment.
At the beginning of November 2007, the Carinthian Youth Hostels welcomed their 100,000th visitor to Klagenfurt Youth Hostel, a young Polish lady, Magdalena Hoffmann, who was participating in the 9th European Union Workshop for Young People taking place in the Youth Hostel.
"2007 is an absolute highlight for the Austrian Youth Hostel Association of Carinthia", said Peter Kaiser, EUFED president, who also said that he was pleased that “the Youth Hostels gain a vital importance as meeting places for young people all over the world".
The 5th meeting of the Spanish Youth Hostel Directors took place in the city of Murcia from 23 to 26 October 2007. This annual meeting organized by REAJ hosts Youth Hostels’ Managers for discussion and training.
This year, 200 professionals were present. The meeting was chaired by Mr Xabier Sánchez Robles, President of REAJ, and the inaugural Conference was attended by Doctor Harrish Saxena - President of the IYHF (International Youth Hostel Federation), by Mr Joël Marier - CEO of the Canadian Youth Hostel Association, and Mr João Paulo Rebelo - President of MOVIJOVEM (the Portuguese Youth Hostel Association).
The focus was on training, discussion of modernization of the Youth Hostels and permit management, the improvement of environmental issues and the "Letter of Service" for the information of the Youth Hostels' guests. www.reaj.com
YHA is ready to welcome the first guests to its brand new £1.78 million Youth Hostel in the East Midlands. The ultra-modern YHA National Forest – next to the Conkers visitor attraction - is packed with eco-friendly features and offers more than 70 beds, which will be available for the first time on14th December.
The construction project started last winter.
The accommodation is built to a VisitBritain four-star standard and comes in 23 two, three and four-bedded, en suite rooms.
There is also has a coffee bar, games room, bar and restaurant serving freshly-cooked local food.
www.yha.org.uk
The newly built, modern Scuol Youth Hostel opened its doors on 15th December 2007. It is situated close to the ski station, right next to the cable railways and only 10 minutes away from “Bogn Engiadina”; the perfect location for sports-minded guests. It has 156 beds in six, four and two-bedded rooms, many of which are ensuite. In the cosy surroundings of the dining room, you can sit and savour the delicious menu. The elegant entrance area with bar, lounge and open fire is a popular meeting point for guests. Other facilities include a game room and a lounge. The Scuol Youth Hostel is the perfect place of departure to discover the beautiful “Engadin” region. Its construction meets the requirements of the Minergie label for sustainable building and is therefore a flagship for the ecologically sustainable development of the Swiss Youth Hostel Association. www.youthhostel.ch
The European Youth Forum together with CTR (the Romanian Youth Council) organized a youth work development training seminar called “Strategic Planning and Financial Sustainability: a safer future for Youth NGOs", from 28th November to 2nd December 2007 in Bucharest. The Romanian Youth Hostel Association was represented by Krisztina Benko.
The successful event brought together representatives of NGOs from Russia, Belgium, Latvia, Netherlands, Greece and Romania to share good practices in organisational strategic development and financial sustainability and focussed around two main themes: the planning, monitoring and evaluation of organisational development, and fundraising and financial sustainability.
The real work is now starting for the Romanian Youth Hostel Association in putting into practice the issues identified for the progress of RYHA. 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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