Celebrate Spring Day for Europe!

Spring Day for Europe 2009 encourages teachers to involve their pupils in activities that focus on debate, interaction and reflection on a number of European themes.

This spring, competitions and debates with an EU focus have been taking place in schools across Europe as part of Spring Day for Europe 2009. The campaign has been incorporated into many subject areas and offers a set of teaching and learning opportunities in which teachers and pupils experience both cultural and practical aspects of creativity and innovation. Commissioners and Members of European Parliament (MEP) are playing their part, visiting schools and answering questions in online chats.

Spring Day for Europe activities include competitions, resources, events, tools and services. Pupils can also communicate with other pupils all across Europe to exchange ideas and find out more about other cultures – thus broadening their horizons from a local and national perspective to a European one.

Spring Day for Europe at the eTwinning Camp 2009

As a special focus on Spring Day for Europe, eTwinning held a workshop for teachers and pupils at the eTwinning Camp in Thessaloniki on 23 April. During the workshop, participants were addressed by Ms. Evangelia Tzampazi, an MEP from Thessaloniki by video and in person by her assistant, Ms. Sevi Moschou. Both presented their experience working in the European Parliament and how this institution works.

After presentations and questions, the pupils then broke up in groups for a roleplay– in all 27 EU countries to represent the Council of Europe and by political group - to conduct their very own sessions as the European Parliament. They received a proposal of the European Commission as the basis for their discussions.

• Learn more about the workshop

Discuss Europe and the upcoming elections with your eTwinning partners!

Did you know that the 9th of May is Europe Day? It marks the day, 59 years ago, when Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe.
 
Have a look at the Spring Day for Europe website and discuss how Europe has grown over the years with your eTwinning partners. As the European elections are soon upon us, this is an excellent opportunity to talk about the elections, as well as other issues related to European citizenship, among teachers and pupils from different countries.

An eTwinning Kit dedicated to Spring Day for Europe is also available. Check the Kits section for more information.

Web Editor: Christina Crawley Published: 29.04.2009 Last changed: 12.08.2009