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Back to school to learn about Europe |
The Maastricht treaty of 1992
transformed the European Economic Community into the fully-fledged European
Union when the accord entered into force in 1993. At the historic moment, the
Saint Alban Town Twinning Committee (FR) realised that they, like many of
Europeans, were not entirely aware of the ins and outs of the European
construction process.
Spurred on by this need to learn more about the European project, they set up the ‘Ecole de l’Europe’ (The School of Europe) to educate themselves and ordinary citizens. Since then, the Ecole has organised workshops, meetings, round table discussion and other events designed to promote understanding of the EU.
At these gatherings, ordinary citizens are brought together with politicians, diplomats, parliamentarians, researchers and experts. The Ecole’s ‘pupils’ appreciate the chance to quiz ‘teachers’ and the user-friendliness of the formula. And the idea is spreading. Saint Alban’s Italian twins of Salgareda have also created their own school. They are both now seeking partners to consolidate the idea further.
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