The European Competition is celebrating its 70th anniversary. We, the European Movement Germany, have been responsible for the oldest nationwide school competition for just as long. This year, almost 70,000 pupils of all ages took part. Under the motto „European equals colourful“, they creatively dealt with questions of diversity, integration and inclusion in our European societies. Mostly in class, thousands of creative artworks such as paintings, films, short stories or podcasts were produced. In this way, the competition brings European issues into a wide variety of schools – in a wide variety of subjects and using contemporary methods. 

As the largest network for European policy, we at the EBD mostly operate in a professional public sphere. We work with people who work in public authorities, hold political office or who deal with European issues in companies, the media and associations. The European Competition, on the other hand, has a different target group: it is aimed at teachers and pupils. Why it is nevertheless so important for us as an educational project will become clear in the coming weeks. Because at the more than 80 regional and national award ceremonies, several thousand people will be guests: parents, teachers, members of parliament, district administrators and state secretaries, ministers and mayors. 

With the European Competition, we have the chance to literally bring the voice of the young generation to these people and thus to the public, because by presenting their work, the participants themselves get to speak. The European Competition receives support from many volunteers, organisations and institutions, be it through commitment, financially or ideally. 

Together, we want to contribute to these children and young people later becoming adults who shape Europe wisely.

Yours,

Annegret Menden

Project Leader European Competition

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EM Germany News

Results of the 70th European Competition | The 70th anniversary of the European Competition under the motto „European equals colourful“ reached its climax from 20 to 24 March 2023. During this period, the 18-member federal jury met at Schloss Trebnitz in Brandenburg and awarded around 500 federal prizes for the best 1700 visual, textual and media works of the 70th round. The final session, which looked ahead to the 71st competition, was also attended by Steffen Freiberg, State Secretary in the Brandenburg Ministry of Education, and Oskar Saemann, board member of the European Movement Germany, who discussed with those present, among other things, how to strengthen the European competition. The winners will now be honoured at the numerous award ceremonies throughout Germany. The office of the European Competition would like to thank all the colourful and creative entries and the great commitment of the teachers. | More (in German)

The top candidate principle in the 2024 European election – Bernd Hüttemann at n-tv | The European parties are gradually positioning their top candidates for the upcoming European election in spring 2024. Whether the incumbent EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will run for a second term or whether there will be a new appointment at the top of the EU Commission will become clear in the coming months. In an interview with n-tv, Secretary General Bernd Hüttemann emphasises the importance of the principle of top candidates, which the major parties had agreed on before the last election. According to Hüttemann, the EU Commission needs common European answers to the current crises and challenges, which should be credibly supported by a coalition majority in the European Parliament. | More (in German)

Bernd Hüttemann in a background discussion with Georg Pfeifer | The 2024 European elections were also the focus of the meeting between Bernd Hüttemann and Georg Pfeifer, Head of the European Parliament’s Liaison Office in Germany. During their conversation, both emphasised the close cooperation and constant exchange. | More (in German)

College of Europe Selection Committee meets at the EBD General Secretariat | The German Selection Committee for studies at the College of Europe met on 27 and 28 March at the EBD General Secretariat in Berlin. Secretary General Bernd Hüttemann was pleased to personally welcome the seven-member selection committee appointed by the EBD Board. After a Corona break, it was the first selection committee to meet again in presence. The 60 students were invited to present themselves in person for a place at the Bruges or Natolin campus. The selection committee chooses approximately 30-35 applicants each year, awarding 25 scholarships from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and one scholarship from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. | More (in German)

Upcoming Events

26.04.2023 | EBD De-Briefing AGRIFISH with Dr. Jürgen Weis, Head of Unit in Department 612 – EU Coordination and Law, Strategy, Legal Affairs, Bureaucracy Reduction at the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture

04.05.2023 | EBD background discussion on the fourth Council of Europe Summit with Frank Schwabe MdB, Head of the Delegation of the Members of the German Bundestag to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and H.E. Jutta Gisela Frasch, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Council of Europe.

08.05.2023 | Award Ceremony Prize Women of Europe 2023 with the prize winner Yevgenia Belorusets, Michael Roth, Member of the German Bundestag and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag and Katharina Wolf, President of the Prize Women of Europe Network.

More information

Our Presidency Calendar on the Swedish EU Council Presidency contains all dates of the semester.

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