The first School for European Integration for European Clubs of the Vinnytsia Oblast took place in the city of Vinnytsia
The aim of the School for European Integration was to enhance capability of the Network of European Clubs of Vinnytsia region through deepening of theoretical knowledge about Europe and development of practical skills. The first pilot School focused on training of leaders of European Clubs for carrying out an effective pro-European activity. 60 participants from 20 European Clubs of the oblast, who had been chosen on competitive basis, participated in the School.
The first School for European Integration for European Clubs of the Vinnytsia Oblast was officially opened with participation of the following partners: Vinnytsia Oblast Universal Scientific Library named after K.A. Timiryazev, Coordination Center of the Network of European Clubs of Vinnytsia Region that operates on the basis of the European Information Center in the city of Vinnytsia, Vinnytsia Regional Center of Information “Creative”, “Philosophy of Heart” NGO, Administration for International Cooperation and European Integration of Vinnytsia Oblast State Administration, Administration for Education and Science of Vinnytsia Oblast State Administration and Administration for Education of Vinnytsia City Council.
During the day members of the European Clubs discussed a topic “What does participation in a European Club give?”, familiarized themselves with the activity of the European Information Center in the city of Vinnytsia in its cooperation with European Clubs, became more familiar with “Youth in Action” Program and opportunities for international youth cooperation and also exchanged best practices, experience and forms of operation of European Clubs. The members of the European Clubs presented their own activity. The participants also played games devoted to the topics of Europe and received prizes from the Representative Office of the European Union in Ukraine and Administration for International Cooperation and European Integration of Vinnytsia Oblast State Administration.
In the end of the event, the participants of the School planned joint events within the framework of activity of the Network of European Clubs of Vinnytsia Region, in particular, the following: conducting of meetings of the Network on the basis of European Clubs, celebration of the Day of Europe, involvement of volunteers of the European Volunteer Service into the activity of European Clubs, organization of joint events and forest hikes that develop partnership. Representatives of the European Clubs also expressed their desire to initiate celebration of the Day of European Clubs of the Vinnytsia Region at the end of September.
Participation in a photo contest called “Format Ukraine-Europe” will be the next event for the members of the European Clubs of Vinnytsia Region. The contest is announced by the European Information Center in the city of Vinnytsia. The aim of the contest is getting to know architectural and cultural heritage of one’s native city – the heritage that is connected with Europe – by taking photographs and applying a creative approach in the process. All photographic works by youth of the Vinnytsia region will be placed on the web site of Vinnytsia European Information Center, in the section “Contest” (http://vn.ukrcei.org), with a feature of online voting. Winners will be selected according to the results of the voting and they will be awarded within the framework of celebration of the Day of Europe in Vinnytsia in May. The best photographic works will be printed and presented on an exhibition that is devoted to the Day of Europe in May of 2010. Within the framework of the exhibition, it is planned to hold a master class on photography for the interested youth. The participants of the School expressed their desire to conduct more often similar Schools for European Integration for members of the European Clubs and noted that they had acquired practical skills and methodological support that would help them to carry out effective activity in the field of European integration. Such meetings help to pass the European Clubs’ own experience to the interested parties and participants can get acquainted and establish contacts with participants from other regions of the oblast.
Volunteers of the “Youth in Action” Program of the European Volunteer Service provided their assistance in running of the event.
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The European Information Center (EIC) in the city of Vinnytsia has been functioning on the basis of the Vinnytsia Oblast Universal Scientific Library named after K.A. Timiryazev since 2006, under the support of the International Renaissance Foundation. The center operates within the framework of projects of NGO “Vinnytsia Regional Center of Information “Creative”.
EIC runs:
Press conferences, round tables, lectures, seminars, trainings, discussions, creative workshops, interactive and informative-entertaining events for youth, issue-related exhibitions, focused on popularization of knowledge about European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine;
Trainings and seminars on creation and activity of European clubs in secondary schools;
Consultations regarding participation in international youth exchanges and volunteer programs;
Conducting of monitoring of European integration processes in Vinnytsia region.
EIC offers:
Materials on various aspects of European integration in printed and electronic form;
Access to the Internet and electronic references on various topics;
Assistance in organization of pro-European events;
Conducting of presentation of the Program of the European Commission “Youth in Action”.
Contact information: Oksana Bondar, telephone: +38-0432-524580, e-mail: eurocentrevinnitsa@gmail.com, http://vn.ukrcei.org
