To celebrate the Europe Day, Hadjihambis Foundation organized an interactive training for young students at the high school of Ypsonas. The training involved students from different classes and ages who all gathered to discuss how they feel as European citizens and if they are aware of their rights and the impact of European citizenship in their lives.
The foundation provided an expert, Nikos Lampropoulos, a Greek citizen living in France and working in Luxembourg.
The school director, Ms. Loukia Georgiou welcomed the representatives of the Foundation and thanked them for the initiative to engage with the students on an issue of great importance especially since European elections were close and students hear and read things about Europe but are not always in position to judge this content. For Cyprus this training is even more important as local and regional elections were held simultaneously with the European ones where EU citizens have also the right to vote and be voted.
On behalf of the Foundation, Ms Chrystalla Hadjihambis thanked also the school for accepting this invitation but also the students for their interest and will to participate.
Next, Andreas Neocleous, member of the Foundation’s board presented shortly ELC project, its aims and the main partners.
Then Nikos Lampropoulos opened the discussion explaining to the students that the aim of this session is more to discuss and exchange than simply learn. Rounds of discussions included topics such as:
- What do you know about the Maastricht Treaty?
- The meaning of European citizenship. How is it different from the Cypriot one?
- Living and working in another EU country. Do you know your rights?
- Voting and being a candidate in another EU country. When and how is that possible?
- Fighting stereotypes: Would you vote for Mayor a non Cypriot, but EU citizen -candidate?
- Addressing to other EU country’s consulate services when outside the EU
- What do you think is the impact of the Maastricht Treaty and of the EU in general in your lives?
The training was organized in a very interactive way as students asked to provide their feedback. Sharing their experiences they noted that Cyprus is quite a particular case as the EU Citizenship does not apply to the whole of the country due to the occupation of the North part after the Turkish invasion in 1974. Actually the issue of security came as the most important concern of the students as for them peace and security -two fundamental goals of the EU have not yet achieved for their country.
Part of the discussion was also dedicate to the upcoming EU elections as students -who will all be voting from the next elections and on- were asked to explain who and from which media they consume news related to EU and the elections and which would be their criteria to select a candidate.
Students proved to be quite aware of the main elements of the EU citizenship, yet they were very much interested to know examples of other countries where mobile EU citizens are more active in the electoral processes and the local policymaking.
They also exchanged on how mobile EU citizens can be further motivated and being involved in their country. They noted that information campaigns should run (and also in English) and material for them should be made available online.
Another important element, the right to petition was discussed as students discussed how this right can really have an impact and trigger specific actions.
Finally an online exchange with the Municipality of Kallithea (GR) took place where after short introductions from the teachers and the representatives of Kallithea Municipality and the Foundation students summarized their discussions and agreed that they should find ways to work closer together on future projects.
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