What is the #Ensemble: Franco-German Youth Exchange?

After its successful first edition in 2020, the EYP is continuing #Ensemble, an innovative format of cultural and language exchange, in collaboration with the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ-DFJW). 

The initiative builds upon the German and French EU Council Presidency, in 2020 and 2022 respectively as well as the federal and presidential elections taking place in Germany and France. The familiarisation of France and Germany in a cooperative context was a turning point in European history and part of the foundation of the concept of the peaceful Europe that we know today. In light of the Conference on the Future of Europe, we, therefore, want to bring the format one step further and offer a bilingual exchange for young people speaking French and German.

In the spirit of a united and democratic Europe, the project aims to foster intercultural exchange and mutual understanding. A key factor of this is languages, which is why Ensemble: Franco-German Youth Exchange takes place in French and German, with simultaneous translation of key programme elements. 

Programme elements

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Ensemble 1.0

 

From 27th to 29th of November 2020 the first-ever #Ensemble session gathered more than 60 young people. Under the theme “Youth Perspectives on the Effects of COVID-19“, the participants discussed topics such as education, economy, climate change, political education, human rights and political education.

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Roundtables

 

In a series of roundtables in 2021, young people from France and Germany had the opportunity to exchange with young experts and decision-makers on current debates:

  • September — EYP Germany Roundtable: “How can Germany and France, in light of their historic cooperation, lead the renewable energy transition in the EU?” 
  • October — EYP France Roundtable: “Citizenship education, a major challenge for our societies.” 
  • December — Schwarzkopf Foundation Roundtable: “After the German parliamentary elections, before the French presidential elections: What Role for the Franco-German Tandem in Europe?”
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Ensemble 2.0

 

From 22nd to 24th of October 2021, the three-day bilingual conference #Ensemble 2.0 took place in hybrid format, with the overarching topic “The Future of Europe and the Democratic Participation of Youth in the Political Process”. During a high-level panel debate, participants had the opportunity to engage with Christophe Arend, President of the board of the FGPA, member of the Assemblée Nationale for La République en Marche, Katarina Peranić, Co-President of the Deutschen Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt, Maxime Boitieux, working for the French association Peuple et Culture and representing the CNAJEP as well as representatives of the FGYO and the Schwarzkopf Foundation. You can watch it here. 

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Ensemble 3.0

 

The third edition of #Ensemble has been awarded the honour of taking place within the French presidency of the Council of the EU. Between the 28th and the 30th of January 2022, young Europeans from France and Germany will further explore the topic of “The Future of Europe and the Democratic Participation of Youth in the Political Process”.