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EUFED E-bulletin Issue n° 31 - October/November 2009 |
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 and Hostelling International. |
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EUFED news EUFED General Assembly and 18th European Regional Youth Hostel Conference  EUFED General Assembly and 18th European Regional Youth Hostel Conference will take place at Düsseldorf Youth Hostel from 20th to 22nd November 2009 under the motto "Sustainable Youth Hostelling in the 21st century - From challenge to opportunity". To download the programme…EUFED Operating Director met REAJ and MOVIJOVEM in October in Sevilla and Lisbon  On the occasion of the 5th European Forum for social tourism which took place in Málaga on 15th and 16th October 2009, EUFED's Operating Director took the opportunity to meet the new Secretary General from REAJ in Sevilla and MOVIJOVEM Board Members in Lisbon. Juan Manuel Castillo Manzano (REAJ Executive Manager) and Constanze Adolf (EUFED Operating Director) EUFED presented best practices at the 5th European Forum on Social Tourism in Malaga The 5th European Forum of Social Tourism: "Social Tourism and the Crisis: Impacts and Opportunities" was organised by the BITS (Bureau International du Tourisme Social) and the European Commission, with the support of the Government of Spain through SEGITTUR. It took place in Malaga on 15th an 16th October 2009. On this occasion, EUFED was invited to present best practices on non-formal education and projects for young people. More information... EUFED at the European Open Days  From 4th to 6th October 2009, under the OPEN DAYS 2009 motto “Global Challenges, European Responses”, more than 6.000 participants, as well as 250 partners including 213 regions/cities from 33 countries discussed the important role of European Cities and Regions for growth, innovation, tackling climate change, cross-border cooperation and sustainable development.
More information... To find information on the cohesion instruments in your region... an important instrument to finance the issues raised during the Open Days. EUFED at the European Parliament: Brian Simpson, new chairman of the EP Transport and Tourism Committee will host a joint reception in the European Parliament  EUFED as a member of ETAG, the European Tourism Action Group, forged a relationship with the new Chairman and his committee which will be of critical importance in the days ahead. Brian Simpson, Chairman of the Transport and Tourism Committee, acknowledged the new EU competences for tourism, once the Lisbon treaty comes into force. He underlined the important role of tourism for the EU in terms of its economic, social and environmental implications. EUFED raised the issue of harmonisation, the new VAT regulation and the travel package directive, and underlined the importance of the CALYPSO project and the Iron CurtainTrail project. Brian Simpson offered to host a common event at the European Parliament in 2010 to raise awareness on the importance of tourism, for tourism means trade, jobs, development, sustainability, education, peace and the fulfilment of human aspirations. EUFED advises on new priorities for the post-Lisbon strategy  On 9th September in Brussels, EUFED participated in an experts' workshop - "Emerging stronger from the recession to tackle the challenges of social cohesion and sustainable development" - organised by the Commission's Director General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. The Commission underlined that measures to tackle the economic crisis should not only stimulate demand, but also foster structural change, notably to speed up the shift towards a low-carbon economy, thereby creating new green jobs and keeping energy bills in check. The crisis came to be seen as an opportunity for tackling also the longer-term challenges of sustainable development. During one break-out group, the EUFED Operating Director presented a number of key elements of our members' non-formal education programmes as a crucial element to build up the new skills needed in the future. Furthermore, EUFED underlined the importance of the EU Commission's policy paper “GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and beyond: Measuring progress in a changing world". This initiative outlines how economic indicators such as GDP were never designed to be comprehensive measures of well-being. Complementary indicators are needed, as clear and appealing as GDP but more inclusive of other dimensions of progress – in particular environmental and social aspects. We need adequate indicators to address global challenges such as climate change, poverty, resource depletion and health. Read more... The points highlighted will be included into the EU Commissions review of the Lisbon Strategy. It aims to make the EU "the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion, and respect for the environment by 2010". EUFED in discussions at the European Tourism Day "the role of networking in developing European sustainable tourism" This event was organised by the Tourism Unit of the European Commission Directorate General Enterprise and Industry and took place in Brussels on 8th and 9th October 2009. More than 500 participants from all over Europe discussed over two days the challenges for European sustainable tourism destinations. More information... EUFED present in Copenhagen: a great opportunity for our future  In December world leaders will gather in Copenhagen to negotiate an international climate agreement expected to come into force when the first phase of the Kyoto treaty expires in 2012. EUFED has secured an invitation for a representative from our youth committee to participate and to monitor the event together with other youth Organisations. Further information... European Action on Drugs: European Commission published EUFED's pledge  EUFED encourages members to play a positive role in dealing with problems caused by drug abuse as it is a major cause of health and social problems particularly among young people. Therefore, in August 2009, EUFED signed a pledge to raise awareness on drug-related issues in society. This is furthering action to enforce in Europe one of the standing requirements for all participants in Hostelling International. EUFED main commitment within EAD is to develop an anti-drug task force among member associations to gather best practices in dealing with drug abuse. Every person involved in the 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. Be part of it and get involved! Send us your ideas and best practices for the task force which will be launched 21st November 2009. Contact: constanze.adolf@eufed.org. More about the European Action on Drugs (EAD) EUFED involved in the EU campaign "For diversity. Against discrimination": let’s stop talking and start acting!  Since 2003, an EU information campaign targeting the general public and media called "For Diversity. Against Discrimination" has been running across Europe to promote a better understanding of the value and power of a diverse workplace and society, and to raise awareness on European citizens' protection by EU laws against discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation and disability. The campaign raises awareness through several different tools and activities in all 27 EU countries. In 2010, the campaign is looking at new ways in a selection of countries to reach its target audience of young people, and employees and employers of all ages! EUFED was selected to be one of the partners, specifically to set up a series of interesting, engaging, participatory activities/workshops in a number of youth hostels in different locations to reach visitors of the youth hostel and members of the local community. More about the campaign… If you are interested in taking part, please contact Constanze Adolf |
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Member Associations news |
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HI news WYSTC 2009 The World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) took place in Manchester from 22nd to 25th September 2009. This is the most important trade and networking event for the global youth travel industry. HI had a very strong presence at the event with no less than 14 associations participating. The HI village was one of the biggest at WYSTC. In total, the village included 11 stands, 10 national associations plus a global HI stand. The participating HI associations came from Netherlands, Norway, Northern Ireland, England & Wales, Scotland, New Zealand, Spain, Australia, Canada and Switzerland. In addition, there were representatives from another 4 HI associations at the event: USA, Mexico, Malta and Taiwan. More information... |
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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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EUFED, as member of the Spring Alliance, discussed with European Commission President Mr Barroso and key decision makers how to promote an overarching EU strategy that pursues simultaneously economic, environmental and social goals, with the ambition of satisfying human needs and bringing quality of life while ensuring social equity and respecting the earth’s carrying capacity. 
The new version of the European Travel Commission’s 
Tourism has become one of the world’s fastest growing economic sectors in recent years. 
The aim of the project is to set up a network in Europe – promoting best practices in the building sector. The project is still in the process of identifying projects to be refurbished in a short term and which could showcase a 100% renewable energy supply. This project will provide the assessment of the best technologies, costs and overall concept. They are looking for 3 more houses. Further information on the 
From 12th to 14th September 2009 a Swedish Presidency Conference on the Future EU Cooperation in the Youth Field was held in Stockholm. Youth delegates from EU Member States, EFTA and candidate countries worked alongside Directors-General for youth policy, policy makers and experts to discuss the substance of a future framework for Youth Policy cooperation in the EU for the years 2010-2018.
LAJ's Head Office was recently awarded HIQ level 2 certification and is therefore the first Head Office to receive such a reward.
In the 548 German Youth Hostels, there has for a long-time been awareness of being responsible for nature and environment. On the occasion of 100 years of Hostelling, action days took place in October in 35 youth hostels.
To plan travelling, meet friends or implement self-made projects, the new internet portal of the German Youth Hostel Association is exactly what you have been looking for. The platform "youpodia.de" was launched in August 2009, aiming at active young Germans aged between 15 and 26 and fond of travelling.
In the framework of EU Youth in Action Programme, the Macedonian YHA will host an intercultural training "Respect & Welcome" for volunteers and staff in Youth Hostels , from 10 to 14 November 2009 in Skopje.
The HI Central and East European Regional Annual General Meeting will be held in Skopje Youth Hostel from 13 to 15 November 2009.
From 20th to 22nd October, the Polish Youth Hostel Association is organizing a seminar involving the participation of the Polish Youth Hostels' managers. At the same time as the seminar, 
Between 1st and 4th October 2009, representatives of the Finish Youth Hostels (
On 15th March 2010, the new Youth Hostel Basel St. Alban will be reopened after extensive refurbishing and new building. The reconstruction work started in December 2008 and involved costs of 10.5 million CHF (about 7 million Euros) including 1 million CHF funding from the City of Basel and a private foundation.