20/4/2007
26 young Europeans witness on the ground the European Commission's development assistance in Rwanda

Between 17 and 21 April, 26 young Europeans aged 16-18 and their teachers will visit Rwanda with the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel. There they will meet young Rwandans and get to know their country and history. They will also gain direct experience of the added value Europe brings to the world via the Commission's development and humanitarian aid policy. The young people from the 25 Member States of the EU are winners of the Development Youth Prize awarded at the first European Development Days held in Brussels in November 2006.

Development is not just a matter for experts, political institutions and NGOs: it concerns all responsible and committed citizens, especially young people. Solidarity, both between Europeans and beyond EU borders, is one of the fundamental values underpinning European integration. Development aid and humanitarian aid are two of the fields where European citizens want "more Europe", as shown by the Eurobarometer.

In 2006, 751 committed young Europeans and their teachers took part in this competition by submitting contributions highlighting European cooperation in Africa. The Prize was organised by European Schoolnet with the support of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Development. National juries, composed of experts and representatives of the Member States' development and education ministries, selected one winner and one runner-up per country, who participated in the European Development Days in Brussels in November 2006.

The young winners and their teachers will accompany Commissioner Michel on a visit to the Kicukiro Health Centre, meet students of the Kigali High School and visit the Kimisagara Youth Centre. They will lay a wreath at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial and visit the museum there, and meet young orphan household heads assisted by the Nkundabana project.

Commissioner Michel said, "this trip to Rwanda is a unique opportunity for these young people and their teachers to visit an African developing country, exchange experiences and establish contacts with young Rwandans, as well as to enhance their understanding of the European Commission's work in the development field. On their return to Europe they will act as real development multipliers, sharing their experiences and their understanding of a complex reality, solidarity and Europe's added value in the world."

In addition to these visits, Commissioner Michel will take part in the meeting of the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (ECGLC) to demonstrate the European Commission's political and financial support for the efforts of the countries of this region, devastated by years of conflict, to re-launch a regional area of economic cooperation, peace and stability.

More information on the prize: http://www.dyp2006.org