Patronage

In April 2017, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier assumed patronage of the Europa macht Schule programme. In doing so, he supports the idea of international exchange through direct encounters between young people and acknowledges the commitment of everyone involved, both locally and within the association. This recognition provides further motivation to continue developing the programme in the spirit of promoting the European ideal.

Offizielles Porträt von Bundespräsident Frank-Walter Steinmeier — © Bundesregierung/Steffen Kugler

Europa macht Schule is an initiative that emerged from the Dresden conference “What holds Europe together?” in February 2006. The heads of state of Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Portugal, Finland and Latvia met in Dresden. Alongside with this meeting, the then Federal President Horst Köhler initiated a conference to which over 100 students and graduates from various European countries were invited. The central question of the conference was how to strengthen citizens’ identification with Europe and its institutions. One of the answers was to harness the potential of direct encounters. This gave rise to the idea for the programme Europa macht Schule.
The conference was followed by the development of a detailed concept and the founding of the supporting association Europa macht Schule e.V. Partners were sought and found, funds were raised, and the programme was launched. Early successes – over 30 projects in the first year – demonstrated that the idea works! It brings people together through European exchange. In the years that followed, the number of participants in the programme grew rapidly, proving that the idea, the programme and the association are viable.
The achievements of the association and the volunteers at the various locations impressed former Federal President Horst Köhler. In 2008, he assumed patronage of the Europa macht Schule programme. In July 2010, his successor, former Federal President Christian Wulff, continued as patron of the programme. In June 2012, Federal President Joachim Gauck took over as patron of Europa macht Schule. In 2017, Frank-Walter Steinmeier assumed patronage.