What is your name, how old are you and where are you from? My name is Dr Geoff Thompson, I am 28 and from Katesbridge, Country Down… the coldest place in Northern Ireland. What is your experience with Young Farmers’ Club? I’ve been a member of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster for over 16 years now. During that time, I’ve been the …
I am getting involved with a changing Europe. Are you?
Next week I will be standing for election as chairman of a valuable European youth movement and this comes at some especially interesting and changing times. The UK’s decision to leave the European Union has left many people wondering what this means for Rural Youth Europe. It has also left a vacuum, absent of certainty for the future of many …
What I have learnt from having backyard chickens
This summer, I have had four chickens and a rooster in our backyard behind our summer house. I would have preferred a dog, but reality set its limits; during the winter we stay in a flat, and my fiancé has an allergy. So we thought chickens whould be perfect – they stay outside, they lay eggs and my fiancé doesn’t need …
European friends, the UK may have voted out but please don’t forget us
On the 23rd of June 2016, the UK held a referendum to determine its membership of the European Union. More than 30 million UK residents turned out to vote, signifying the importance of the referendum. A majority vote of 51.9% determined that the UK would leave the EU. A result, I believe shocked the nation. Having spoken to both ‘remain’ …
Dreaming it loud in Strasbourg
On may 22nd travelled I and the other Norwegian participant down to Strasbourg to attend the Study Session "Dream it Loud!". We did not know what to expect because neither of us had ever attended such an event. We talked about it on the way there; who are the people from all the other countries, what will we be doing this …
Meet the "juniors" from last year’s Junior Event!
During Easter 2016, the second-ever Junior Event “Your Choice” will be held in Turku, Finland. Almost a year has passed since the first-ever Junior Evet ‘Set Up Your Future’ was held during Easter in Sweden. 13 youngsters aged 13-17 gathered around topics such as job interviews, public speaking and body language. When we asked about their experiences from the event …
First dream it. Then believe it. Finally achieve it.
Year 2015 is over and most of us (including me) are making conclusions about everything what has happened. My 2015 has been incredibly busy and challenging, but full of happiness and new experiences. Additionally, there were a lot of changes, which were scary at first, but have been totally worth it. I have met many wonderful people, who have given …
Frohe Weihnachten from Sebastian
Christmas season has arrived and for most of us it’s quite a busy time full of work and last transactions for the closing year. Also at Rural Youth Europe we are very busy before the Christmas break as there are quite a few tasks to finish before January. We are having a board meeting in Riga before Christmas and our …
My week with Rural Youth Europe and MIJARC
In the period between 4th and 11th of October, in European Youth Center in Strasbourg, France, was held Study Session under name Unveiling rural realities – unlocking youth potential. This event was product of joint cooperation between Rural Youth Europe and MIJARC Europe, supported by the Council of Europe. As representative of my organisation from Republic of Macedonia, BUJRUM-Center for …
10+1 tips on how to cope with the November darkness
Hi there, this is Emma writing. Here in Finland it already gets dark outside at 4 p.m now, which means it’s time to think about a coping strategy – if you like me are more of a sun person. Here I have listed my top 10 tips on how to survive the coldest and darkest times of the year: Have a lot …