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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 EUFED Executive Committee meeting was hosted by FUAJ (the French Youth Hostel Association) in Paris on 1st February 2008. Discussions included:
- Progress on the Third Way strategy (a letter will be sent shortly to EUFED Members),
- EUFED future applications for EU-funded projects,
- Organisation of an event linked to the 2008 Year of Intercultural Dialogue and seminars on EU-funding opportunities.
The next Executive Committee meeting will take place in Brussels on 4th April 2008. www.eufed.org
The seminar under the theme of "Youth Hostels and their contribution to social inclusion" was hosted by the Dutch-speaking Belgian Youth Hostel Association (VJH) and took place from 21st to 22nd February at Leuven Youth Hostel. It gathered 28 participants from 18 national Youth Hostel Associations from EU, Balkan countries and Central and Eastern Europe, as well as like-minded NGOs.
The seminar was well received by delegates and generated a framework for communication as well as a check-list to develop new strategies to implement social inclusion actions providing holiday opportunities/activities for socially disadvantaged young people and families. www.eufed.org
EUFED, with the support of YAP (Youth Action for Peace), has recently applied for funding to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Commission to hold a seminar on intercultural dialogue and peace. Subject to EC support, the event is expected to take place in Enniskillen (Northern Ireland) from 7th to 11th November 2007 and will involve 24 participants from Croatia, Macedonia, France, Germany, Israel, Palestine, Poland, Russia, Tunisia and the United Kingdom. A decision is expected in June. www.eufed.org
The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Agency has recently called for proposals for Action 3.2 of the Youth in Action programme "Youth in the World". This supports projects promoting youth sector cooperation between Programme and partner Countries beyond the European Union's neighbouring countries.
The objectives are:
- To promote the experience and good practice in youth and non-formal education,
- To contribute to development of youth policies, youth work and the voluntary sector, as well as capacity-building and leadership development for youth organisations/structures,
- To develop sustainable partnerships and networks between youth organisations.
The deadline for applications is 15th April 2008. More information: eacea.ec.europa.eu/youth/calls2008
The UNWTO World Tourism Barometer is a World Tourism Organisation periodical published three times a year in three sections: an overview of short-term tourism data from destination and generating countries and air transport; the results of the latest survey among the UNWTO Panel of Tourism Experts, providing an evaluation of and prospects for short-term tourism performance; and selected economic data relevant for tourism. January 2008 issue - Facts and figures - www.unwto.org
The Eurobarometer opinion poll on young people 2007 surveys young people for the first time in all 27 Member States of the European Union and covers the following areas:
- Being a citizen of the European Union
- Meaning and future of Europe
- Leisure activities and membership in organisations
- Participation in society Employment and autonomy
PDF format available: English, French, German - Analytical report.
To receive a free paper copy: http://bookshop.europa.eu
In November 2007, EFTA published a guide presenting the new generation of the 2007-2013 EU Programmes.
This new programme aligns future health action with the overall EU objectives of prosperity, solidarity and security and further exploits synergies with other policies.
The programme objectives are:
- To improve citizens' health security and safety
- Promoting health to improve prosperity and solidarity, especially addressing the reduction of health inequalities:
- Health factors - such as nutrition, alcohol, tobacco and drug consumption, as well as social and environmental determinants
- Prevention of major diseases and reducing imbalance in health across the EU
- Increasing healthy life span and healthy ageing
- To generate and disseminate health knowledge
More information: http://ec.europa.eu/health
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In the framework of the Year of Intercultural Dialogue, the European Commission is challenging European citizens to capture their vision of intercultural dialogue and share it with the world in the competition “Cultures on my street”. All European residents, regardless of age or origins, are invited to participate. It’s as easy as grabbing your camera and stepping outside the front door. The competition ends on 30th June 2008. More information...
As part of EUFED cooperation with the European Commission DG Employment and Social Affairs, EUFED was offered to have promotion material distributed among the Youth Hostels of EUFED network. Flyers and posters are available in the 23 EU official languages. If you are interested in receiving the promotion material, please contact EUFED and indicate the address(es) for distribution and the requested language(s). |
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The European People's Party (EPP) Group in the Committee of the Regions of the EU has launched a photography competition entitled "Europe@home: Europe starts in our communities".
This seeks the views of young people (between 15 and 28) on the impact of the European Union on their region and/or city. The competition runs from 4th February to 30th April 2008.
For further information: competition's rules - EEP link
After Luxembourg and Sibiu (Romania), Liverpool (UK) and Stavanger (Norway) are this year's European capitals of culture with fantastic events and activities (most of them free).
The European capital of culture project was launched in 1985 to bring together the peoples of Europe. It is particularly relevant in this European year of intercultural dialogue.
Youth Hostels, a Passport for World Heritage Cities
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Hostelling International has teamed up with the Organisation of World Heritage Cities (OVPM) and UNESCO to promote hostelling in world heritage cities. The programme “Youth Hostels, a Passport for World Heritage Cities” is open to all Hostelling International Hostels in cities on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
Groups of 10+ people and individual travellers who live in Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) can take advantage of the special Heritage Discovery packages the participating Hostels have put together – the package includes a free overnight stay plus access to a major heritage site or attraction. Currently, 26 Hostels in 15 countries participate in the programme – including 15 European Hostels. Joining the programme is easy - simply email Project Coordinator Antoine Gauthier.
The Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, announced that the UN supported the initiative. Hostelling International is proud to count UNESCO among its partners!
This year, AIG again had a stand at the BIT 2008 - International Tourism Exchange in Milan. This annual event has been running for 28 years, and is the world’s largest exhibition dedicated to Italian tourism.
The event took place from 21st to 24th February 2008 in the Fieramilano exhibition district. AIG introduced new Hostels, presented new Hostels guides and announced initiatives for 2008, including the new free Benefit Book (discounts for Members) and the brochure dedicated to schools and organized group trips.
An Óige received some wonderful news, Knockree is opening ahead of schedule on 11th April 2008!
The Hostel was demolished during the summer of 2007 and work started from scratch. The five star Youth Hostel will provide private rooms, dorm rooms, some en-suite rooms and family rooms built in a mezzanine fashion. The new improved Knockree is ideally situated on the Wicklow Way and boasts fantastic views from every room in the Hostel!
Thanks to its location, Knockree is perfect for Scout, school and hill walking groups alike. It’s also family orientated and is a fun and different place to stay on that family trip to Wicklow. www.anoige.ie
DJH (German Youth Hostel Association) - Record of membership
The 562 German Youth Hostels reached a milestone in 2007: the number of overnights increased by 1 %, adding up to more than ten millions. Families were attracted because of Hostel's casual atmosphere and good value accommodation. Membership rose by 39,000 to a high of 1.964,253 DJH members.
DJH President Angela Braasch-Eggert declared that she was satisfied with the annual results: “The positive development is an incentive to make our Hostels even more hospitable by improving customer care.”
The first carbon neutral school trip took place in Germany. The German Youth Hostel Association has been the brain behind this groundbreaking idea. The school selected the most environmentally conscious way of travelling, produced some of their own solar energy, ate regional organic food, and considered how their environmental behaviour could be improved.
The main objective was to host a school trip with the lowest possible output of CO². For the CO² exceeding the fixed limit, compensation was credited to a wind energy plant in India. This exemplary concept was awarded 20.000 € in a public contest. www.jugendherberge.de
A national first: the Federal State Government of Rhineland-Palatinate met at Altleinigen Youth Hostel in January. As a token of the appreciation for the existence of Youth Hostels, Prime Minister Kurt Beck also confirmed that the government of Rhineland-Palatinate will continue to support Youth Hostels.
With the Federal State financial assistance, the ruins of Altleinigen castle were transformed into a very modern Youth Hostel with 166 beds in ensuite rooms and 5 state-of-the-art conference rooms. In 2007, its first year of operation, the Hostel recorded 41.000 overnights and it is actually training eight young people. www.jugendherberge.de
After a year of meticulous preparations, the great departure is coming close! 120 courageous cyclists taking part in the great "Paris-Beijing with cycle" adventure, organized by the French Federation of Cycle Touring, are going to set off on 16th March from a departure point under the Eiffel Tower!
Not only will the cyclists achieve a sporting goal (12.000 km in 4,5 months) but they will also appreciate the varied landscapes and the benefit from meeting the local communities.
The French participants will bring messages of peace and discovery from young French people for the youth in the countries visited. The sportsmen will stay in Youth Hostels in France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, and finally in China along the way! Many thanks to the Youth Hostels which are welcoming them and let's wish them all a safe journey! www.fuaj.org
Following the ATATJ and FUAJ meeting in Bizerte (Tunisia) in July 2007, another meeting took place in France from 14th to 20th January 2008. The focus of the discussions was the signature of a new agreement and the development of “discovery trips” in France for young members of ATATJ.
The delegation visited Grenoble, Chamrousse and Lyon Youth Hostels to meet staff in order to exchange views and to consider future areas for co-operation.
On 28th January 2008, FUAJ organized a meeting in Paris for Youth Hostel Directors and Headquarters’ staff in order to draw up standard environmental communication for Hostel guests. This can be by “stickers” put up in the Youth Hostels to encourage people to take some action for the environment. Many French Youth Hostels have designed their own notices, so, the idea is to have a common approach for all French Youth Hostels, in order to standardize the environmental messages. The main goals are to increase environmental awareness among staff and members, to encourage them to protect the environment and to eventually save energy. www.fuaj.org
The newly refurbished Troyes Youth Hostel, set in a 2ha park, provides 104 beds in 3 buildings (including an ancient abbey) with 2 rooms and facilities for wheelchair users. The Youth Hostel is all particularly suitable for groups and offers 3 polyvalent rooms (for 110, 50 and 10 people) and 2 fully equipped kitchens (one smaller aimed at families and self-catering).
The 1.100,000 Euro renovation work took place without requiring the closure of the Youth Hostel and was financed by the Aube Department supported by the Champagne-Ardennes region, the EU and the National Association of "Chèques-Vacances". FUAJ is also piloting a youth camp to finalise the internal restoration, all especially the restoration of the Chapel adjacent to the Youth Hostel. www.fuaj.org
On 15th January 2008, a delegation of eleven Youth Hostel Managers and Officers of the Chinese Youth Hostel Association were invited by HYHA to meet representatives of the Youth Hostel Associations from Slovenia, Czech Republic, Austria and Romania. Croatia was represented by the Head Officer of the Central and Eastern European Region of HI (the International Youth Hostel Federation).
The aim of the visit was to study management of the Central and Eastern European National Associations and their tourism offers in a workshop setting.
The event emphasized the opportunity of a successful Chinese and Central and Eastern European cooperation. www.miszsz.hu
With more than 210.000 overnight stays in 2007 (a record, and an increase of 9 % over 2006), the Belgian Youth hostels are going to celebrate their anniversary in 2008 on top form.
A series of festive and commemorative events will take place throughout the year:
- The specially designed logo to mark LAJ’s 75th anniversary will be a permanent reminder.
- Promotion: every 75 days during 2008, young people under 26 will benefit of a free night stay and an annual membership card. The operation will start on 15th March and will be repeated on 29th May, 12th August and 26th October.
- A commemorative publication celebrating the Association’s values (tolerance, respect, intercultural understanding) will be released.
- On the weekend of 20th - 21st September, 75 young cyclists and LAJ representatives will team up to sponsor a cycle course promoting “action for the planet” and linking the Youth Hostels in Bouillon, Champlon and Malmedy, by awarding a cheque to an environmental-friendly organisation.
Other events will also be taking place among LAJ’s network, reminding us that at 75, LAJ is still alive and kicking, and open to young people of all ages! More information: www.laj.be/newsletter
The new Vila Nova de Cerveira Youth Hostel, which opened its doors on 19th January 2008, was an architectural project combining a new building with the refurbishment of an old elementary school.
Located in the town centre, this YH offers modern, comfortable and well-equipped facilities and can accommodate 60 guests in a choice of eight twin rooms (one suitable for wheelchair users), two double rooms
and ten four-bedded rooms, all ensuite.
Nesting within the castle’s walls and overlooking the Minho River, Vila Nova de Cerveira, located in the north of Portugal, is a small town, dating from the 14th century, of great historical and cultural importance. It has a wide variety of monuments and beautiful houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Minho River offers some spectacular landscapes and is a natural border between Portugal and Spain, and of great influence on the regional gastronomy.
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New for 2008, this four-day tour of the highlights of Scotland, takes in cities, mountains, lochs and glens, with an overnight stay in a genuine highland Scottish castle. Travel is organised in a luxury coach with an expert guide with a range of optional activities at some of the best locations across the country:
Edinburgh/Glasgow/Stirling – Oban – Ben Nevis – Loch Ness – Carbisdale Castle – Inverness – Cairngorms National Park – Aviemore – Pitlochry – Edinburgh/Stirling/Glasgow.
Travellers will be able to choose from a range of optional activities during the tour, such as:
- Whale Watching Boat Trip
- Loch Ness Visitor Centre
- Mountain Biking
- Shopping
- Visit to Culloden Battlefield
- Kayaking, Windsurfing
- Visit to Scotland’s Smallest Distillery
For more information please visit SYHA's web site: www.syha.org.uk/bustour
Guests have been to the brand new £ 4.3 million Youth Hostel in the heart of London’s West End. The first customers were welcomed to YHA London Central in early February and its superb location is proving to be a popular draw.
YHA London Central is situated in Bolsover Street in the City of Westminster, within a few minutes’ walk of Oxford Circus and the main shopping centre. 
It’s also close to the newly-revamped BT Tower, Regent’s Park, Madame Tussauds and the many night-spots of Soho.
It’s fully accessible for people with disabilities and has a total of 294 beds spread around 59 rooms, almost all of which are en suite and sleep either four, six or eight people.
There is a modern, open-plan cafe bar on the ground floor serving drinks and snacks as well facilities for backpackers, including self-catering kitchen, internet access, luggage store and laundry.
An important part of the Swiss Youth Hostel Association’s strategy is ecological sustainability.
After winning the Swiss Tourism award “Milestone” for its sustainable corporate strategy, the Swiss Youth Hostels have recently been awarded the 3rd place at the Hans E. Moppert award ceremony for the new Minergie-Eco Youth Hostel Scuol for one of the best projects in the area of “sustainability in alpine tourism” in Switzerland. The Minergie-Eco Youth Hostel Scuol integrates various ecologically sustainable factors such as the Minergie-Eco standard, a solar heating system and a heat pump heating system, etc. www.youthhostel.ch
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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Tel.: +32 (0)2 502 80 66 - Fax: +32 (0)2 502 55 78
info@eufed.org - www.eufed.org