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During this trip, we are going to meet day-to-day actors of European integration and also the most acute analysts (and critics) of the process: MEPs, researchers, journalists, lobbyists, politicians, translators... The program reads as follows:
An information session is going to be held in March 2009 in the presence of a guest expert on European issues. This will represent a first opportunity to get to know each other, to discover all practical details of the trip, to receive all necessary documentation, to divide the group topics clearly based on these documents, and, above all, to ask top-of-mind questions.
The trip is going to last one week, from the 19th to the 26th of April 2009, from Basel to Brussels via Strasburg and Luxemburg. Three destinations linked by the same railway: indeed, MEPs need to move quickly and frequently between their three official headquarters! |
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1) First step: Strasburg (19th-21st April)
Strasburg is located on the French-German border and shares the title of “capital of Europe” with Luxemburg and Brussels. Because of its special location, Strasburg represents the so-called French-German motor and constitutes a symbol of reconciliation in Europe. During our two-day stay, we are going to discover:
• The Council of Europe,
• The European Court of Human Rights,
• The Swiss Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe,
• The European Parliament,
• The Forum Carolus.
All visits of European organisations are followed by a meeting and a discussion with a delegate or expert of this organisation.
Accommodation: Ciarus Hostel |
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2) Second step: Luxemburg (22nd April)
Trilingual and wealthy, Luxemburg is a model of success through European integration and the judicial capital of the European Union. There, we are going to visit:
• The European Court of Justice,
• The Swiss Embassy,
• The University of Luxemburg.
Accommodation: Luxemburg City Hostel |
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3) Third step: Brussels (23rd-26th April)
Brussels is a truly unique and fascinating place dedicated to European integration that brings together very diverse and numerous European actors. During our three-day stay, we are going to discover and meet:
• The European Commission,
• The Swiss Mission to the European Union,
• The European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
• An interest group,
• NATO,
• The Swiss Mission to NATO,
• A press reporter of the newspaper “Le Temps”,
• International Crisis Group,
• The Free University of Brussels.
Accommodation: Van Gogh Hostel
A closing session is going to be held on the 9th of May 2009, day of Europe. This will provide the participants with the opportunity to briefly present their group’s conclusions and to once again meet a guest expert on European issues. Moreover, every participant will have the possibility to express his feedback on the trip.
It is important to note that modifications of this preliminary program are not excluded, taking into account that the European calendar is sometimes unpredictable. Therefore, scheduling changes may be necessary. |