Funding has finally been secured for this year's Volunteer Festival - "Euridea-07 -  so it will take place from 15 - 22 September in Berlin! 

EurIDea07 is a one-week creative festival with workshops, discussions and cultural events. The title means Europe, Identity, Ideas or just "your idea".  Each participant commits him/herself to preparing their own workshop connected to the umbrella theme of the Festival, which this year is

"European Identity: who are you - and where do you stand?"

The Festival is open to participation from 56 active volunteers from Germany, Moldova, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland and, for the very first time, France (a chance to be informed about France´s European vision under a new President). Besides this, it is planned to invite a sprinkling of other international guests.

Sub-Themes are, amongst others:

• Is there such a thing as a "European culture"? Is it shared by all countries within Europe? Do we find it outside the borders of the EU?
• Is Europe "Christian"? What does this mean for other religions? Can non-christian countries belong to Europe?
• Is the european integration process only an economic one? What can be done to change that?
• What are European values and norms? To what extent do human rights, democracy, protection of minorities, social justice, environment protection, sustainability belong to those?
• European and national identity - do they belong together, complement each other or are they contradictory?
• How strong are national divergencies within EU-countries, do they prevent EU-extension?
• Are our neighbours to the East different - can, should they join or be allowed to join the EU & NATO? Do they want to?
• Does the EU steal the independence of countries? Should the national states emancipate themselves or else integrate more?
• Does the EU create new walls in Europe? How can these be overcome? Is it right that the EU speaks "in the name of Europe and the Europeans..."?
• Do we need a European Constitution and, if so, how should it differ from the previous one?
• What can be done to stop the spreading of racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism and right-wing extremist thinking throughout Europe?
• Should Europe play the role of "policeman" in the world?

Plenty of things to think about and prepare interesting workshops

Interested volunteers are asked to contact their national branch or group of SCI for more information and application procedure!