Summer Seminar 2005: “Do it locally ! Youth – an important ingredient in sustainable regional development”
29 May – 5 June
Schlierbach, Austria



This seminar has been a major effort of Rural Youth Europe, as it is an additional seminar in our yearly programme, dealing with - YOUTH PARTICIPATION AND SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT - a topic, which has priority within Rural Youth Europe for the next 2 years and which very much goes hand in hand with the aims and objectives of our organisation in general. As Rural Youth Europe wants to educate and train young people, create an awareness of the issues of the countryside and actively counteract rural depopulation.

We need the help of all of YOU, in order to make a difference, as “CHANGE THE VILLAGE – CHALLENGE YOURSELF. YOU(TH) CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE” is also a 2 year pilot-project co-operation between MIJARC Europe and Rural Youth Europe. Within this pilot-project a study will be launched, as we want to find out what the situation, needs and problems of rural young people are - in detail - all over Europe; in order to adopt our programme even better to YOUR needs. Soon you will find the mentioned questionnaire on-line and more details on: www.change-the-village.org.

The summer seminar was a great learning experience for all involved parties and YOU - 20 enthusiastic and highly motivated rural youth workers from all over Europe – made it a big success!!! – and… a lot of fun!!

I hope you will keep up sustainable friendships and networking and put your great ideas and plans for sustainable youth and community projects all over Europe into practise. We are waiting to get your feedback and hear about success stories, and of course you can always count on our support, too.

Furthermore, I want to thank several other parties – who contributed to the success of the seminar:
Rural Youth Europe thanks the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the Upper Austrian government and Austrian Rural Youth for the financial support.

Furthermore, we want to thank our experts Mrs. Stelzer, Mrs. Winklehner, Mr. Humer, Mr. Sieghartsleitner, Mr. Warter, Mr. Narodoslawski, Mr. Jungmaier, Mr. Holzmann and Mr. Pulkenhofer and Mr. Preining who gave valuable input for fruitful discussions and contributed with their expertise to the great output of the summer.

Last but not least, a very special thanks goes to the best prep team I ever had: Doris, Wolfgang, Franz, Clément and Delboy – you were great!!!! It was a pleasure to work with you!

Remember, sustainable rural development / youth work is many little steps and I wish you a lot of energy and enthusiasm for every single step you go forward!!!




Sabine Klocker
Secretary General – Rural Youth Europe

See photos here

Attachments:

Summer Seminar 2005 - report.pdf