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| EUFED E-bulletin Issue n° 30 - August 2009 |
President's letter  Starting from today you will be receiving the relaunched EUFED e-bulletin. We plan to go back to issuing it regularly, interspersed with the newstickers from Constanze Adolf our Operating Director. We hope that you agree that these tools of exchange and information make EUFED an even more valuable source for information. Please, whenever you have any comments, let us know; thoughts, and ideas, and suggestions, and wishes, all are extremely valuable to us. Feedback is very welcome, both directly to the office and when in November we have our meeting in Dusseldorf... To read the letter... |
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| To contribute to this e-bulletin or to tell us what you think, please contact info@eufed.org |
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EUFED news EUFED Executive Committee meeting
EUFED EU multi-measure project Moreover the participants learned about how non-formal environmental learning tools are implemented “in field” and how to adjust them to school curricula. The activities combined a seminar which took place in Bled (Slovenia) in April 2009 and gathered 19 participants from 12 European countries, and a study visit in May 2009 taking place in two German Youth Hostels which are multi-certificated, one located in the North-Eastern part of Germany (Mirow) and the other in the Western part of the country (Brilon). More information (pictures, presentations, reports, etc.) are available on EUFED website.
EU CALYPSO project The Tourism Unit of the Directorate General Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission has set up a Working Group involving social partners and the public and private sector (including EUFED). The action aims at ensuring universal access to holiday means at the community level, taking into account the specific features of the European society. Moreover, tourism exchanges should also contribute to combat seasonality, strengthen the notion of European citizenship and promote regional development - many tourism association facilities are located in the countryside or in highland areas – besides facilitating the development of specific local economies. EUFED is preparing a panel on Sustainable Youth tourism for the Calypso project. We should take a lead at this event to strengthen the position of Youth Hostels and their social engagement in Europe. Thus, we want to present best practices from our member associations and contribute to a round table discussion focusing not only on the facilities, programmes and their economical impact for the tourist sites but also on the education needed for the staff. You are invited to sent your best practice examples : • Designed for shoulder seasons We would be very happy to get any information on projects, comments, ideas etc. before 15th September 2009: constanze.adolf@eufed.org
EUFED commits to support the EU European Action on Drugs (EAD) Live from Brussels More information and the poster
What has the EU done for you? The publication is distributed free of charge all over Europe. To obtain a copy in all 23 official EU languages: http://ec.europa.eu/publications “Do you speak European?”
Have your say!
The first EU Youth Report
EU launches “Click a Tree” campaign The deadline to enter the competition is 15 November 2009: www.clickatree.europa.eu
Ecological footprint calculator
The end of the roaming rip-off For further information on the new EU roaming rules which are applicable as of 1st July: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/roaming/index_en.htm Related press release (in all 23 official EU languages)
Member Associations news This concept was implemented as the Austrian Association strives to provide its guests with the best possible service and make their stay in Youth Hostels as comfortable as possible. All three Youth Hostels were awarded the certificate “YOUTH HOSTEL HI-QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, LEVEL 1”. Furthermore, as a special service to their members, the Management of the Carinthian Youth Hostel Association decided not to increase prices for 2010. www.hiyou.at - www.oejhv.or.at Belgium - LAJ - Sustainable development Today LAJ use organic, biodegradable or recycled materials in the majority of the publications and promotional items and recently switched over to entirely “green” electricity. LAJ is planning to do even more as 2010 will mark the start of a real sustainable development process. In order to reduce energy consumption, Youth Hostels in Liège and Malmedy will be equipped with thermal solar panels, the Youth Hostel in Bouillon will be fully insulated and the boiler in Champlon Youth Hostel will be replaced. These investments in energy savings will be associated with educational tools that can be used not only to view in real time the results of these new installations (production of hot water for bathrooms), but also to increase awareness among the guests on the rational use of energy and water (daily consumption figures will be displayed). LAJ is also organising a training/awareness day on the theme of sustainable development for the staff (120 people) in December, a few days before the UN Copenhagen conference on Climate Change. The aim is to increase awareness among staff of the need to take action to promote sustainable development and to apply new techniques in all the working processes. A meeting with politicians and scientists is also scheduled, and relevant bodies will be invited. On this occasion, LAJ plans to organise think-tank workshops so that each Youth Hostel can make further progress with this project. We will keep you informed of future developments! www.laj.be
Germany - DJH - Multinational youth encounter - “European Faces“ In the refurbished and extended Youth Hostel, the participants were involved in activities on the topic of “European myths and legends“. By means of interactive games, workshops, role-playing, common cooking and a karaoke competition, all the young people had a chance to learn from each other and overcome stereotypes. The project also aimed at helping the group to develop a European spirit. The young participants turned out to be highly successful in this respect and stated collectively “Each of us could give Europe a face“. The project was carried out in cooperation with the city of Detmold, and co-funded by the EU “Youth in Action” programme. www.jugendherberge.de
Germany - DJH - Commemorative coin and special issue of a stamp to commemorate “100 years of Youth Hostelling“ Encounter, community, tolerance – these terms have been associated with the origin of hostelling for 100 years, and correspond to the edge inscription on the coin. The triangular-shaped motif is oriented towards the logo of DJH and refers to the global expansion of the movement with its origin in Germany.
Germany - DJH - Brilon Youth Hostel – The first carbon-neutral youth accommodation in Germany Life without carbon dioxide is impossible. Thus the Youth Hostel is paying back a compensation worth 0,19 € per overnight, in supporting a wind power plants in India in partnership with “Climate Partner“. Bernd Dohn, national CEO of DJH, stressed that this concept has future perspectives and corresponds to what Youth Hostel guests are looking for. www.jugendherberge.de
Portugal - MOVIJOVEM - New Portuguese Youth Hostel The 3 years' construction work started in May 2006 with an interruption due to archaeological findings. The global investment amounts to € 2.828.059 including € 1.508.513 from FEDER (the EU European Regional Development Fund) and € 1.000.190 from PIDDAC (Programa de Investimentos e Despesas de Desenvolvimento da Administração Central). The city of Tavira offers a lot of history to discover and is ideally located near to the natural park Ria Formosa and the sea with fantastic beaches… http://juventude.gov.pt/Portal/Lazer/en/PTavira.htm - Movijovem
Romania - RYHA - The Romanian Association celebrates its 10th Anniversary
Scotland - SYHA Hostel on Famous Loch Plays Host to BBC Filming The BBC’s Adventure Show used the hostel as a stunning backdrop for an hour-long filming session of an outside cooking feature with main presenter Dougie Vipond and award-winning Scottish chef Grant McNicol. Rowardennan Lodge welcomed many different visitors from different parts of Scotland, the UK, Europe and even the Far East – a true reflection of Scottish hostelling at its best! An enthusiastic audience made up of hostel guests, walkers of the West Highland Way, holiday makers from nearby villages and SYHA staff were entertained and then treated to a delicious seafood chowder inspired by Rowardennan’s watery location. Pictured here is SYHA Chief Executive, Keith Legge, giving an interview to the BBC crew during the cooking feature. www.syha.org.uk
Spain - REAJ - New Youth Hostel in TORREMOLINOS Torremolinos Music Hostel is located in the Bay of Malaga, which has nearly 7 km of coastline with stunning beaches. In addition, the positive atmosphere that is enjoyed in the area makes this the ideal destination to benefit from the good weather and a stroll along the beach. www.reaj.com
Spain - REAJ - Winning schools presented with the HI-Christina Cameron Youth Award in Seville This year, in June 2009, the 33rd Session of the World Heritage Committee was held in Seville, Spain. The First World Heritage Latin American Youth Forum took place within the framework of the meeting. The forum consisted of 39 young people aged 12 to 15. It was the first time that a forum of this nature had taken place working specifically with children. Those present were young people from secondary schools, chosen for their skills in various heritage-related issues. The winners:
Switzerland - SJH - 100,000th member joins Swiss Youth Hostels Growing membership numbers HI news For those National Associations not present, Hostelling International will be promoting the global HI Network. HI therefore invites them to send a reasonable amount of leaflets/promotional material to be distributed on their behalf and recommends approx. 300 leaflets per National Association. Should National Associations wish to send material, please do so no later than Friday 11 September 2009. For further information, please contact Domenica Ribaudo: dribaudo@hihostels.com The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission |
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As presented in the first EUFED 
EUFED last Executive Committee meeting took place in Brussels on 24th August 2009. Discussions included the preparation of the EUFED General Assembly and European Regional Youth Hostel Conference which will take place on 21st and 22nd November 2009 at Düsseldorf Youth Hostel to mark 100 years of Youth Hostelling. The European Regional Youth Hostel Conference will focus on the issue of sustainable development under the motto 'Sustainable Youth Hostelling in the 21st century: from challenge to opportunity'. Further information and the meetings' invitation and papers will be sent mid-September 2009. 
The multi-measure project 'From environmental educ@ion to clim@e change' was co-funded by the Action 4.3 of the EU Youth In Action Programme and aimed to give the opportunity to the participants to receive first hand information on how to develop, manage and certificate environmental education programmes. 
The European Parliament allocated 1 million euro budget for 2009 in connection with a preparatory action on Social Tourism in Europe called CALYPSO. 
Following the launch of the EAD campaign, EUFED signed a pledge committing to raise awareness about EAD and it’s aims in the Youth Hostels' network e.g. by presenting EAD logo on our website and by providing on-going information to our Members via our bi-monthly EUFED e-(lectronic) bulletin. Our main commitment within EAD is to develop an anti-drug task force among our member associations to gather best practices in dealing with drug abuse. Every person involved in our Youth Hostel network is welcomed to address the subject of drug prevention via online consultations. The results will be disseminated within the EUFED network and press releases. Moreover, we intend to invite a representative of the EAD Coordination Team to our General Assembly in June 2010 to present the project to the Youth Hostels Associations. 
EUFED is supporting the 112 Foundation in promoting and disseminating information on the European emergency number: 112. Be part of it! 
The booklet “Europe and you in 2008” is a quick view of examples of where the European Union is making a real difference to the lives of its citizens and of people far beyond. From ensuring that Europe will have energy supplies way into the future to improving working conditions and reinforcing product safety and individual health, the EU is working on policies and practices that have a direct impact on the way we all live. Do not miss the video that explains each of these ten achievements! 
The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is organising the second edition of competition, which gives young people the opportunity to explore for themselves what it means to be a part of Europe. ‘Do You Speak European?’ is a public speaking and personal expression contest which gives teams of young people between the ages of 14 and 18 the opportunity to prepare and present their views on the question: ‘What does Europe mean to you?’. Last year, the competition was very successful and attracted 36 regions from 11 countries. 
The European Commission launched its new initiative “Click a Tree” in a drive to raise awareness of the actions we can all take to fight climate change and protect the environment. In the run up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Copenhagen in December this year, the campaign aims to encourage young Europeans to take individual action against climate change. To get the campaign off the ground, Young Europeans can order and plant one of 5,000 free tree seedlings they receive from the website 
Hostelling International has set out quality standard guidelines for more than 4.500 Youth Hostels worldwide. The Youth Hostel Association of Carinthia achieved these high standards for three Youth Hostels of its network (Klagenfurt, Villach and Cap Wörth-Velden). 
LAJ has been focusing on sustainable development for a number of years now. The association started with sorting and recycling waste, and then organic breakfasts made their appearance in some Youth Hostels. 
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Youth Hostels, seventy young people from seven European countries – Belgium, France, Finland, Greece, Italy, Romania, and Germany - met from 18th to 26th July 2009 in Detmold where the head office of the German Youth Hostel Association (DJH) is located.
It is only on rare occasions that commemorative silver coins worth 10 € are designed and issued. DJH is proud to have been selected in 2009 for the anniversary of “100 years of Youth Hostels“. 
The stamp and coin were officially presented to the public on 14th August 2009. 'Coin and brand - both stand for the considerable sociopolitical importance of Youth Hostels in Germany', said Bernd Dohn, CEO of DJH. The stamp, worth 0,55 € for internal German letters, refers to 'Youth on the move' – another fundamental concern of Youth Hostelling. 
In May 2009, 
The brand new Tavira Youth Hostel officially opened on 15th June 2009. The Youth Hostel offers 62 beds in 7 ensuite double rooms, 1 suitable for disabled people, and 12 4-bedded rooms. The modern features include a common room, a cafe/bar, a dining room, an indoor patio, and self-catering and laundry facilities as well as parking space. 
The Romanian Youth Hostel Association invites you to celebrate its 10th Anniversary and 100 years of Youth Hostelling. 
SYHA Hostelling Scotland’s Rowardennan Lodge, located on the famous Loch Lomond, received some welcomed attention of its own recently. 
The new multi-purpose Youth Hostel is called “Albergue de la música Torremolinos” (Torremolinos Music Hostel) and was designed with music in mind. The modern facilities include, not only what is expected of a brand new Youth Hostel, but also everything a musician might need, including workshops, rehearsal rooms, recording studios, an auditorium and more. The Youth Hostel offers 210 beds in single, double and four-bedded rooms, some of them accessible to persons with disabilities, and a swimming pool! 
The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with Hostelling International, coordinated a competition, in relation with the HI-Christina Cameron Youth Award, amongst the schools of the 39 participants. The school centres were invited to submit proposals, suggesting World Heritage projects that would be carried out in their schools. These projects were reviewed by a qualified panel who chose the best three entries and each of the winning schools was given a prize for their research and was presented with a certificate by HI President Edith Arnoult-Brill. 
The Swiss Youth Hostels welcomed their 100,000th member on 15th July 2009. Christoph Schmid, from Birrwil/AG, who took out a family membership, is delighted with his membership and the accommodation vouchers. On Monday, the family sets out on a cycle tour from Lake Constance to Lake Geneva, accompanied by their sons Daniel, Michael and Thomas. They are planning to reach their destination Geneva in seven to ten days. The Schmids are planning to stop in various Youth Hostels along the way.
Hostelling International will be represented this year at the