June 30, 2011

M100 Youth Media Workshop

Reach the people! How can we encourage young people to read?

In recent years, tremendous efforts have been made (by politicians, foundations and educational institutions) to reach poorly educated and politically distant social groups. Unfortunately, the success remained mostly moderate. Instead many young people seem to turn away from politics and the participation in social discussions, obtain less information from newspapers and rather visit chats and forums.

This development poses big challenges for politics as well as for journalism. Nowadays, media producers (regardless of the genre) are also faced with the question of how to reach people - how to encourage them to read their news and editorials?

These issues will be addressed at the four-day-long M100 Youth Media Workshop that takes place in Potsdam on
21 – 26 August 2011 for the 7th time this year.

June 28, 2011

European Youth Media Convention 2011 - "Whistleblowing - A New Competition for Journalists?"

Journalists are facing competition: Platforms like wikileaks reveal scandals, allow unprecedented insights into political strategies, and begin to impinge on the role of the journalist. Apparently, the public receives an additional level of control and knowledge.But is unconditional transparency of political systems, that so-called whistleblowers usually strive for, always beneficial for democracy? And how should journalists respond if they want to prevent a takeover of their distinctive role?
 
During this year's European Youth Media Convention, which will take place between the 3rd and the 6th of August in Berlin (Germany), we will try to find answers to these questions and outline the future for young media makers. Participants will have the opportunity to meet up with 39 other young media makers from all over Europe and outline the situations of their own country.

June 21, 2011

International Summer School “Beyond Enlargement. The Wider Europe and the New Neighbourhood”

The 17th CEI International Summer School “Beyond Enlargement. The Wider Europe and the New Neighborhood” CEI International Summer School will take place in Faenza, Italy, from Sunday 4th to Saturday 17th September 2011.

Since 1995 the “Europe and the Balkans International Network – Centre for Eastern European and Balkan Studies”, established by the University of Bologna, has been organising a yearly Summer School for post-graduate students from Eastern Europe and from the European Union. Up to the ninth edition, held in 2003, the School was entitled “Post-Communist Transition and European Integration Processes”. Starting from 2004 the School has the title: “Beyond Enlargement. The Wider Europe and the New Neighbourhood”. This title change is explained by the enlargement of the EU towards ten East European Countries in 2004, seven of them belonging to the CEI area that represents the conclusion of the so called “post-communist transition”, at least for this part of Eastern Europe.

June 19, 2011

How to Decide if You Should Study Abroad

The decision to spend a semester or summer abroad is one that shouldn’t be taken lightly; however, if you decide to do it, it helps to know what to expect. Many colleges have special resources that can help you decide what kind of program to choose, and will help you prepare for living abroad. Don’t be afraid to utilize these resources if you are thinking of studying abroad.

Studying abroad is a great way to learn about other cultures and to master a new language. Learning French or Spanish in the classroom is one thing, but it is quite another to be completely immersed in a non-English speaking country. You will also have the opportunity to meet new people and learn about their culture first-hand.

June 13, 2011

Student Congress "United Unique – Searching for a European Identity"

SFE - Students for Europe - kindly invites you to apply for the 17th International Student Congress to he held in Krakow on October 6-9, 2011 under the general topic "United Unique –  Searching for a European Identity".

Benefits for You:
  • Meet over 100 highly motivated students from all over Europe!
  • Listen to speeches of a variety of European personalities!
  • Engage in controversial discussions combined with a personal atmosphere!
  • Enjoy the city of Krakow through city tours and evening activities!
  • Participate in our Essay Challenge and win extraordinary prices (e.g. reimbursement of attendance fee)
  • Meet company representatives of our partners!

June 10, 2011

Education Abroad and Its Value on the Job Market

If you want to get ahead in today’s competitive, global job market, you need to have an edge. Studying abroad in college can give you that edge by helping you stand out from other job hunters. Plus, it’s an experience that can really open up your career path.

According to a study by The Institute for the International Education of Students, covering 3,400 people who had studied abroad, “eight out of ten students who had interned abroad said that they had acquired skill sets that influenced their future career paths, such as working for a multi-national organization, getting a job overseas or volunteering internationally.”

Here are just 5 of the many useful skills you can pick up on a study abroad trip that will better prepare you for the job market.

June 9, 2011

Liberty Seminars 2011

This fall the Lighthouse Association will organize the 4th edition of Liberty Seminars, held on September 13-26, 2011 at Lake Bohinj, Slovenia.

1) Liberty Camp 2011 is a week-long seminar that actively explores the historical, philosophical and economic foundations of a free society through engaging lectures, small group discussions, movie screenings, debates and presentations. In an intellectually stimulating environment, develop a deeper understanding of the challenges facing Europe today. Explore and discuss a range of issues:
• The origins, meaning and theories of individual rights
• The rule of law and property rights in a free society
• Government’s powers and its limitations
• Theories of justice
• The nature of a liberal democracy
• Ways of strengthening civil society

June 6, 2011

Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships 2011-2012

The Heinrich Böll Foundation grants scholarships to approximately 1,000 undergraduates, graduates, and PhD students of all subjects and nationalities per year, who are pursuing their degree at universities, universities of applied sciences (‘Fachhochschulen’), or universities of the arts (‘Kunsthochschulen”). We expect our scholarship recipients to have excellent academic records, to be socially and politically engaged, and to have an active interest in the basic values of the foundation: ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self determination and justice

June 3, 2011

Cultural Diplomacy in Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders (CDE) 2011

The forthcoming weeklong seminar for "Cultural Diplomacy in Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders" (CDE) will take place in Berlin, on July 4th – 10th, 2011. In addition to looking in greater detail at the history and development of cultural diplomacy, the next CDE Weeklong Seminar will focus in particular on the following theme "The EU as a Global Actor – From the Inside Out: The Internal Development of the European Union and its Future Role in an Interdependent World".

Cultural Diplomacy in Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders (CDE) is a network of young, influential people from across the world, who have an interest in exploring and strengthening relations between European States. The program is based on the recognition that the increasing economic and political integration of the European Union must be accompanied by sustained activity to ensure that public opinion and relations between individual member states, and between member-states and non members states, remain positive and constructive at the grass roots level.

June 2, 2011

10 Tips for Learning Another Language

“Estoy muy embarazada!” said a woman in front of a group of Spanish-speakers. Then, pointing to the man that had asked her to speak in front of them, she said, “Y es su culpa!”

Some of her audience gasped in shock, others only laughed. The woman thought she said she was very embarrassed. What she had really said was, “I’m very pregnant, and it’s his fault!”

Studying abroad can cause a number of unique challenges for students — especially if you are immersed in a culture that speaks a different language. Developing skills in another language will not only benefit you now as you try go grocery shopping in Paris, but will be of use throughout your life.

Here are ten tips that will help you learn faster: