A day of debate for schools and pupils!

What is the aim?

Spring Day in Europe aims to get schools to organise an event on 21 March 2003 - their own Spring Day in Europe. The event should increase pupils' and teachers' involvement in helping to define a new Europe through the European Convention.

What is the origin of the project?

As part of the major debate on the future of Europe and the work of the Convention, a number of Convention members felt it was important to make as many young Europeans as possible aware of the fact that a Convention is at work outlining the future shape of Europe, to invite them to familiarise themselves with its existence and objectives, and to provide them with an opportunity to discuss their vision of tomorrow’s Europe. The idea was announced to the Education Ministers by the Spanish Presidency at the European Council on 30 May 2002.

Who are involved in Spring Day?

It is a completely decentralised operation, and schools are encouraged to participate in keeping with their normal resources. Activities may take various forms: an information meeting followed by a discussion, a meeting with a personality involved in European matters (elected representative, representative of a professional or social group, etc.), a debate between pupils at the school, or a debate between pupils from schools in different countries either in person or via the Internet.

The European Commission will assist the operation by establishing, with the help of the EUN network formed by the Education Ministers of more than 20 European countries, a system for registration, contact and information between the participants, as well as by providing teaching materials to enable teachers to prepare for the project if they so desire. It will also commit its networks (EAC) with a view to ensuring the broadest possible participation.

[More information: Spring in Europe]

Who can participate, and how do you register?

All secondary education establishments (general, vocational and technical education) can register electronically. The Spring in Europe website informs more about this event and it is set up by the European Commission and entering their details, those of the teacher or other person who will be responsible for running the project, and the nature of the activity they are planning for 21 March 2003.

How IPM Tools project is involved with Spring Day?

IPM Tools project offers the pilot schools and other schools willing to participate a web magazine "Europe, 25?". The idea of the magazine to discuss the various perspectives of enlarging European Union was innovated in IPM Tools international seminar in May 2002 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The initiative to implement the magazine was made by Calician partner, CPI O Cruce school with active teachers.

With "Europe, 25?" magazine pupils and teachers in participating six countries can share their opinions of enlarging Europian Union. The invitation to collaborate is open also to other European schools.

The contact person of the magazine is Milagros Trigo, headmaster of CPI O Cruce school which is a partner institute of Calicia in IPM Tools and also a member of the team of Spring Day in the EUN.

Article added 19.11.2002