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Educational trips organized by the youth education center convey political contexts and personal perspectives
Under the motto "EU & You," 17 young people from the Groß-Gerau district traveled to Brussels during the Easter holidays. The educational trip was organized by the Youth Education Center and the district youth services, and supported by the Office for Integration and MEP Michael Gahler . The participants, aged 17 to 26 – including school pupils, trainees, students and working professionals – experienced the European Union firsthand.
The program included a visit to the European Parliamentarium , discussions with a staff member from Michael Gahler's MEP office, and a street art tour followed by a creative workshop. The group gained deep insights into the origins, workings, and challenges of the EU. For many, the personal discussion at the European Parliament, where topics such as lobbying , funding policies , and the future of the EU were discussed, was particularly interesting.
Critical questions were also raised – for example, why the European Parliament has two locations in Brussels and Strasbourg . The answer: In addition to political reasons, concerns about financial losses for the affected cities also play a role.
Another focus of the trip was the topic of happiness in everyday life . During a workshop, the group discussed which values are particularly important to them – including equality, environmental protection, security, family, and friendship . The connection between EU policies and personal quality of life was actively explored.
Finally, there was still time to explore Brussels as a city with many faces. The young adults returned home with new impressions and a strengthened sense of European identity. Many were enthusiastic: "We learned a lot – about the EU, but also about ourselves."
(Gross-Gerau-Red/PSGG)
