Ryckevelde: English summary

Short presentation

Who are we?
Ryckevelde is an independent non-profit organisation, supported by the department of Education of the Flemish Government in Belgium and the Province of West-Flanders. Since 1956 Ryckevelde has developed a broad experience of formation of young people and information about the European integration wit the aim to bring Europe closer to its citizens. It is now a locally based and citizens’ oriented European and international formation and information Centre with more than 50 years of learning experience in European affairs .

It favours the European integration and an active European citizenship based on some fundamental values, in particular respect for each person within its social context. It is an organisation which adopts a bottom-up approach with a clear vision to transmit the forgotten factors (such as: democracy, rewarding of personal freedom, social solidarity, peace, international comprehension, sense of responsibility towards society and the ‘bonum commune’, ethics, spiritual values and citizenship) of the European integration to European citizens, young people and adults.

Since 2005 the organisation consists of two sub-organisations: 1) one focussing on formal education (primary and secondary education) and 2) one focussing on information and formation for adults.

History & Activities
The International Committee of the Movements for European Unity (ICMEU) convened and hosted the Congress of Europe in The Hague in May 1948. With Churchill as its Honorary President, the Congress was attended by some 800 participants (statesmen, MPs, businessmen, trade unionists, academics, etc.). Its major objective was laying the building stones for peace, stability and cooperation in Europe.
This was made explicit in three ambitions: 1) to demonstrate the existence of a body of public opinion in support of European unity, 2) to discuss the challenges posed by European unity and propose practical solutions to governments and 3) to give new impetus to the international publicity campaign. The ideas and propositions expressed at the Hague conference in 1948 were structured in the “European Movement”.

Some of the suggestions have been concretized by the creation of the College of Europe in Bruges (Belgium) in 1949, the oldest post-graduate institute offering a specific European formation, and by the launching of “Ryckevelde” as a European Centre in 1956 by Karel Verleye, also co-founder of the College of Europe..

- Training: Ryckevelde offers a variety of training sessions to schools of secondary and higher education. They are adapted to the students’ needs, their age and educational level. Different methods are used: interactive presentations, simulation exercises and educational games. Adult groups are offered a variety of tailor made European training sessions. It also publishes didactical sets for teachers and adult groups: training sets for various target groups, didactical internet material and educational games.

- International school projects: we help schools to set up international projects and/or advise them with the content (didactical aspects) or organizational (practical/grant) aspects of their projects. Every year the Ryckevelde Centre organizes an international Comenius meeting session for teachers. They meet colleagues from all over Europe and get acquainted with the European educational space.

- State of the European Union: Every year, in the week of May 9, a "State of the European Union" is organized in collaboration with the Flemish Parliament and the Flemish-European Liaison Office: a critical Europe watcher sets out his/her vision on what the European Union should do in the coming year. In the same event prices are awarded to The Junior State of the European Union, The State of Creanovative and a Senior State of the European Union.

- Actions and debates: organization of public debates on current European themes, as well as simulation sessions of the European Council with a view to raise awareness with the European democratic decision making process



- The yearly Karel Verleye Prize in memory of its founding father: a prize is awarded to students who have written the best thesis on the forgotten factors of the European integration.







- Joint European projects: increasing involvement in European projects with a view to stimulate youngsters to actively reflect on the future of Europe, its vision and European citizens’ needs. Ryckevelde cooperates with the European SPES Forum in the project “Imagine Europe”, financed as a youth democracy project within the Youth in Action Programme of the European Union (DGEAC).

Location

Both the Centre and the Foundation are based 8 km from the medieval city centre of Bruges, and next to the historical town of Damme, in the so-called Ryckevelde-park. This park is open to the public and offers a neo-gothic castle, lake, woodland, cycle and horse riding paths etc. to its visitors.

Mission statement and Vision

Ryckevelde encourages European integration and active European citizenship from a model of society that is based on a series of fundamental values and respect for anyone’s total-human dignity in his or her social context.

Ryckevelde opts for a society model in which to the human being, as a person connected to his or her social context, is at the heart of society. Every person deserves respect out of his/her total human dignity.

In trying to realize this ideal, Ryckevelde is in line with the post second world war movement of European integration. The build-up of a model of European collaboration, in which solidarity is a core value, is an inspiring platform to encourage this society model. It offers a guarantee to maintain this society model in a globalizing world. It also might help to counterbalance polarizing and individualizing tendencies in society.

1. Ryckevelde views Europe as a society model ‘under construction’, as a growing awareness of interdependency and need of solidarity. Europe is, thus, seen as a set of mind rather than as a set of institutions. In that respect, the European institutions are instruments, rather than goals in themselves.
2. Ryckevelde is convinced that the European collaboration offers a future-oriented perspective:
• Ryckevelde works out of a critical and constructive attitude.
• European integration has proven to be a remedy against economic, societal and spiritual crises of an old and sick continent. Now and in the future, the European dream offers a vision and a perspective for a human model of society.
• Ryckevelde wants to learn from the past, but refuses a nostalgic and resigned attitude, oriented to the past rather than to the future.
3. Ryckevelde is convinced of the fact that European collaboration and integration is an active way to work towards peace:
• Ryckevelde acknowledges European integration as the basis of peace in Europe for more than six decades, with unique consequences on the field of economic and social progress.
• Ryckevelde considers peace as much more than the mere absence of war. Peace is the active reconciliation, continuous dialogue and permanent search for what people have in common. This is the best basis to collaborate afterwards.
• Ryckevelde believes that peace is an alternative for polarizing and hate. Unity and diversity can and must coexist.
• Ryckevelde acknowledges and emphasizes the influence of the Western model of civilization and the European model of integration, and the geopolitical responsibilities as a consequence.
4. Ryckevelde is convinced of the fact that European society can only be built upon a shared moral conviction:
• The European identity owes much to the Christian tradition. Ryckevelde emphasizes the fact that this common identity and spiritual foundation leads to a ‘Europe’ that is much more than a process of economic integration.
• The European Christian tradition is a source of inspiration for Ryckevelde, for its vision and its activities.
5. Ryckevelde believes that the European integration must offer all necessary guarantees for the rich and diverse basic convictions, beliefs and philosophies present in our culture.
That is one of the reasons why the European integration and the European model should pay more attention to the so-called ‘forgotten factors’, such as: democracy, rewarding of personal freedom, social solidarity, peace, international comprehension, sense of responsibility towards society and the ‘bonum commune’, ethics, spiritual values and citizenship.
• Ryckevelde devotes itself to the protection of the inherent values of European culture, and the forgotten factors in particular.
• Ryckevelde pleads for more attention to these values and factors in the model of European collaboration and integration.
• Ryckevelde welcomes every step taken by the European institutions and organizations towards European integration, out of the hope to give these values and factors a more pro-eminent place. This welcome is enthusiast or critical, depending on the objectives.
• Ryckevelde opposes to a one-sided economic approach to European collaboration.

OVERVIEW PROJECTS & ACTIVITIES
EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION

Our training sessions, didactic materials as well as our international projects illustrate a continuous link between citizens’ daily life and the European context. Therefore methods, pedagogical tools, concrete targets as well as privileged testimonies are crucial in our activities. An overview of our training, didatic material and international projects demonstrate this ongoing commitment.

1. Training

Since the early 60’s the Ryckevelde Foundation organizes the so-called Europe Days. Students are offered a whole range of specialized lectures, workshops and simulation exercises. Over the last 50 years several tens of thousands of students attended the Europe Days, at school or at the Ryckevelde Centre in Damme. Next to these training days, Ryckevelde organises simulation sessions of the European Parliament or the European Council, and a yearly European Citizenship Conference.

>> Europe days
Ryckevelde offers several training sessions aimed at students of secondary education. Its content differs according to the target group: a session for pupils of general education, one for vocational education and an in-between session. For every session we focus on the specific interest of the group.
During the Europe days, we explain the history of the European Union, the European institutions and the challenges the EU faces (EU-enlargement, police co-operation, European Constitution, …). We also inform the pupils about how they can feel the influence of the EU in their daily lives by means of concrete EU-realisations, such as consumers rights, environmental decisions, etc. Every year we work out a special session focussing on an actual theme. In 2005 it was the European Constitution, in 2006 the enlargement with Rumania and Bulgaria and in 2007 the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome. In 2009 it will the European elections.
The Ryckevelde Centre reaches every year about 4.000 students, especially from Flanders but also from other EU countries. There is an equal division of the number of pupils from general education and from vocational education.

>> The European Citizenship Conference
The European Citizenship Conference is a yearly activity designed for young people in the sixth form in Suffolk and West Flanders. It gives students the chance to explore what it means to be a European citizen, to discuss the different ideas and attitudes of the English and Belgian people and to understand what democracy is all about. 60 students, 30 from each region, work together from January till March. Every participant chooses one of five themes that they would like to feature at the conference (such as: what does it mean to be an EU citizen, the role of the EU in the world, enlargement, the future of the EU or European values). Each workshop group has a good mix of British and Flemish students, and they prepare their contributions in cyberspace using Suffolk County Council's website.
Finally, everyone meets ‘live’ at a conference organized in Bruges or Suffolk at the beginning of March. In the morning five groups discuss about three controversial statements and choose the one they find most interesting. The five chosen statements are discussed in the plenary session in the afternoon. Following the debate, the students can vote on each issue using new technology.

>> Europolis
Europolis is an intensive project on citizenship education, set up by a separate organisation EUfrasie vzw, created by Ryckevelde. 20 Schools from all over Belgium can attend the session. The simulation of a parliamentary session lasts for two days and is preceded by a preparatory phase.
Every participating school works out a draft text about an actual theme. The other schools have the opportunity to amend these texts. During the bilingual sessions the pupils debate about the drafts. After having voted, they can discuss their ideas with some MEPs.

2. Didactical material

The daily expertise (on content and approach) gathered during the training sessions have made the Ryckevelde Centre an expert in the creation of didactical material on European citizenship education. Every set that is published for classroom use, combines a thorough didactical approach with critical content and a creative elaboration of different European themes.

Sets were made for primary, secondary and adult education. The first didactical materials were made on Ryckevelde’s own initiative. Now, the European Commission’s and the European Parliament’s representation in Belgium, and several other regional authorities frequently call upon Ryckevelde’s growing expertise. One example is the didactical map ‘Globetrotter’ (about the EU in a globalised world) that we produced in 2006 or the didactical brochure ‘Vlaanderen@EU’ (Flanders@EU), commissioned by the Flemish Minister of Foreign Policy. In the following we give an overview of some of our didactical materials.

2.1. Didactical material for primary education

>> Webquest ‘SpEUrnEUs’
To make the Flemish children of primary education aware of the fact that ‘Europe’ is really present in their daily lives, we elaborated a webquest. During four weeks the pupils received assignments via internet. The assignments were about the relationship between Europe and their region (Flanders). At the end of these four weeks they could participate in a competition. The participating classes could win a nice prize.
The first webquest was launched in 2006 (called ‘CuriEUzenEUs’ at the time), the second ‘SpEUrnEUs’ in 2007, the third in 2008. A new one is planned in 2009.
http://speurneus.ryckevelde.be/

>> Europa koffer (Europe kit)
The Europe kit is elaborated by Ryckevelde in co-operation with an advisory group of teachers. It is a kit on European citizenship which contains a highly flexible set of materials. The themes it deals with are really varied. The modular set-up and the great number of topics must allow for a ‘customer-tailored’ use of the Europe kit. The kit is intended for children of the third grade of primary school. It is based on ‘hoekenwerk’, which is an independent working method for primary school pupils.
The kit contains two parts: one is about the different member states of the Union, the second is about European cooperation. The latter is split up in twelve different themes, such as peace, open borders, the euro, enlargement, etc.
After two preparatory working years, the Europe kit was released in 2005, and is very successful. The kits are lent out all year long and the schools are very enthusiastic about this ready-made didactical material. There are plans to produce more samples of the kit in Belgium. And the Representation of the European Commission in the Netherlands is copying the Europe kit.

2.2. Didactical material for secondary education

>> Didactical set ‘Trefpunt Europa’
TrEfpUnt Europa is a didactical set for secondary education students ordered by the province of Limburg. The first part is about the history of the European integration process. In the second part, we explain the working of the European institutions. Part three focuses on the challenges the EU faces, such as the common foreign policy, the reforms of the agricultural policy, the different enlargements and the relation EU-citizen. In the complete set we work with regional examples to draw the students’ attention.
Every chapter starts with a small explanation of the theme (history, the EU-institution and challenges), afterwards we worked out a set of assignments. By elaborating the assignments, the students can get more information about the topic.
We created an explanatory part for teachers as well and organized some study days, which allowed teachers to learn how to work with the set. The Representation of the European Commission in Belgium ‘restyled’ the didactical set and plans to spread it all over Belgium under a new title ‘De EU onder de loep’.

2.3 Didactical material for non-formal education

>> De EU doorgrond (general and adult-education)
The Flemish Minister of European affairs ordered a didactical website about the European Constitutional Treaty. The target group was secondary and adult education. By means of different assignments and small explanatory texts, we tried to make clear what the European Constitution is all about. This modular approach makes it easy for teachers or tutors to ‘cut and paste’ the assignments that they want to use or that are adapted for their target group. Following the French and Dutch ‘no’ to the European Constitution, we decided to focus on the question: ‘what kind of Europe do you want?’. By working out the assignments we invite students/adults to form an opinion on the future of the European Union.

>> Zeg eens EU(vocational and adult-education)
In 2005 Ryckevelde released the didactical set ‘Zeg eens EU…’. The initial target group was the ‘centres for basic education’, that is a centre where lower-educated people can follow courses on their level. Of course this set is also appropriate for pupils in vocational education. The teacher makes a selection of the modular assignments that we offer.
‘Zeg eens EU…’ consists of five parts: 'Why did we start the European co-operation and how did it evolve?', 'Who governs the European Union?', 'What are the tasks of the EU?', 'Europe, a mixture of languages and cultures' en 'The member states of the EU'.
In 2007 we received an award for ‘Zeg eens EU…’ from the organisation KlasCement, a website for and by teachers. Every year, the teachers can give an award for the best didactical material. More information about the award:
www.klascement.net/index.php?menu=awards&keuze=sites

3. Internationalisation

The aim of Ryckevelde is not only to inform people about European citizenship, we also want them to experience the surplus value of it. Therefore we promote internationalisation for schools and for non-formal education. For several years now the Ryckevelde Centre is responsible for the promotion of international class exchanges. Ryckevelde is a privileged partner of the Flemish Socrates agency and of several regional authorities. Yearly contact seminars and training sessions for teachers are successful activities to promote international school projects.

>> Counselling and helpdesk function
We support schools in their process of internationalisation. We help them on different levels: by giving an overview of the different kinds of subsidies for international projects (EU programmes and Flemish programmes), by helping them with partner finding, by working out creative concepts for their projects, by advising them on the filling in of the application forms, by working out the financial report and the evaluation. This is a very time consuming activity, but we notice that our support is very welcome for a lot of schools.

>> Study days
The best way to promote internationalisation is to make constantly publicity for it. In 2007 some 15 study days were planned to promote internationalisation. The most important thing about these information sessions is that we focus on specific target groups. Working out a project for pupils of vocational education is a lot different from projects for pupils of general education.
Focussing on target groups has the advantage that people feel involved, because the examples we give are very concrete and useful for them. In 2007 info sessions were organized for primary education, vocational education, general education, adult education, etc. An important target group for us is also students of teacher training colleges.
Besides focussing on target groups, we also organise study days based on the priorities of the European Commission. For instance, one information session will be about ‘strengthening the management capacity of schools’, another is about ‘early language learning and of course we also pay attention to new methods of ICT.

>> Comenius contact seminar
We organize a yearly Comenius contact seminar for primary education. Teachers from all over Europe come to Bruges to find partners and eventually to work out a European Comenius project.
We use a proven concept and module for the contact seminar: The first evening is meant for informal acquaintance. On Thursday, we explain the Comenius programme and the do’s and don’ts for working out such a project. Later on, two schools give an overview of what they did in their Comenius project and how they and the children experienced it. In the afternoon, we organise workshops, so that the participants get to know each other better. On Friday, we give more information about how to fill in the application forms and afterwards all schools can present themselves on the Comenius fair. Finally on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning they have time to write out their own project, together with the partners they found in the seminar.

>> Horizon
In 2004 Ryckevelde created the booklet ‘Horizon’ for secondary and primary education. It is a guideline on how to work out international projects. In different steps, we explain how you set up a qualitative good project:

• Step 1: Goals and objectives
• Step 2: What kind of project?
• Step 3: With who?
• Step 4: The preparatory visit
• Step 5: The actual project

We also give an overview of the different possibilities for subsidies and some contact data. From 2007 onwards, the EU-programmes for internationalisation have been thoroughly changed. Therefore, a third updated edition of ‘Horizon’ has been made.



>> Seminar Flemish and German teachers French
We organise this seminar in cooperation with the Flemish department of education, for German and Flemish teachers ‘French’. Nowadays, English is the lingua franca. That means that it is difficult for teachers French to motivate pupils to learn the language. The seminar offers instruments to make French classes more vivid and more motivating.
The teachers receive more information about the Flemish educational system, they visit some schools to understand the Flemish education system in practice. The system FORMACOM is explained: it is a system that offers methods to teach French in secondary education. After the explanation, they visit some school that implement the system.

>>Imagine Europe
It is an international project of the European SPES Forum and the Ryckevelde Foundation in cooperation with local partners. In 2008 “Imagine Europe” is financed as a youth democracy project within the Youth in Action Programme of the DG Education and Culture of the European Union which is in Belgium coordinated by JINT.
The overall aim of the project “Imagine Europe” is to give a voice to youngsters in redefining the mission and identity of Europe. In fact, “Imagine Europe” wants to stimulate the youngsters to think about the future of the European Union: about how we can create a European Union with more soul and more attention to the needs of the European citizens.

The activities of the project “Imagine Europe” consist of two parts: local programmes in several European countries and a European Youth conference. The result of this all should be the creation of a network of young people all over Europe who are multiplicators and stimulate other youngsters in Europe to participate in democracy projects or in the political decision making process. The “Imagine Europe” website is meant to stimulate this European youth network (http://www.imagine-europe.eu/).

In 2007 there were programmes in Leuven (Belgium) and Opole (Poland). The lectures are open for everyone while the workshops are only open for interested youngsters between 16 and 30. In 2008 we found international partners cooperating in the “Imagine Europe” project During Spring 2008 various local “Imagine Europe” initiatives took place in different European countries with following partner institutions: Dondeyne-huis, H. Spirit College, International Office K.U.Leuven, B; Institute of Political Sciences and Student Association Political Sciences (Opole University, Pl); Foundation European Studies Lodz and Young Europeans (Poland); Centro de Estudios Europeos (Universidad Navarra), Pamplona and Student Residence Colegio Mayor Belagua in San Sebastián (Spain) and with the University of Bogazici and Euro-Mediterranean Youth Association, Istanbul (Turkey). A final European Youth Conference is organized in Brussels (12-15 November 2008) for about 60 students coming from the various partner’s institutions.

4. ECSA Belgium

The Ryckevelde foundation is ECSA Belgium's seat. ECSA Belgium stands for "European Community Studies Association in Belgium". ECSA Belgium is part of the world wide ECSA World network, founded in 1987.

ECSAs are associations promoting research on European integration. They provide exchange platforms for researchers and students of different universities willing to cooperate. ECSAs wish to help spreading information on current university research and teaching activities to the broad audience.

The target group of ECSA Belgium consists of professors, research fellows and students in the field of EU-research, who wish to reach the public with their scientific outcomes.

More information about ECSA Belgium and its activities: click here.

EUROPEAN TRACK RECORD

The record of the realisations of Ryckevelde is already very long. Below, we give a brief overview of some of our creations.

Ordered by	Method	Explanation
The Information Bureau of the European Parliament in Brussels	Booklet	Europees ABC: this booklet contains an overview of the history of the European integration process.
The Information Bureau of the European Parliament in Brussels	Website	In 2004 we created the official website for the EP-elections in Belgium
The Representation of the European Commission in Belgium	Game	The game Extra Large (XL) gave more information on the EU enlargement of 2004.
The Representation of the European Commission in Belgium	Didactical set	Globetrotter is a didactical set for secondary education with EU information and assignments.
Prins Filipfonds	Youth debate	Belgium presided the EU in 2001. With the Expeditie Europa project, we wanted to make young people think about the future and importance of the EU. They also got the opportunity to exchange ideas and communicate with European leaders.
College of Europe	Summer Youth Camp	In 2004 and 2006 the university of Skopje and the European Movement in Macedonia organised a Youth Summer Camp, in cooperation with the College of Europe. The camp was meant for 18-year olds and the objective was to inform them about the EU and to prepare them for accession. Ryckevelde organised some workshops during the camp.
Flemish Ministry of Foreign Affairs	Website	The didactical website ‘De EU doorgrond…’, made in 2004, contains information and assignments about the EU.
Flemish Ministry of Foreign Affairs	Simulation exercise	A group of young people (20 till 25 years old) did a simulation exercise of the European Council. To prepare them, we organized some workshops about the working of the institutions, the COREPER and debating skills.
Flemish Europe Direct centres	Webquest	The webquest was launched to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome. The aim was to make children aware of the European cooperation by surfing on the internet.

Article from Ryckevelde President
Prof. Dr. Bekemans, President Ryckevelde Foundation and Jean Monnet Chair, University of Padova (It), published the article "(New) Instruments for a participative democracy - Case study. Learning experience of participative and deliberative democracy: European Movement, College of Europe & 'Ryckevelde' ".
This article was first drawn within the Forward Studies Unit/Cellule de prospective from the Committee of the Regions from the EU.


Contact

Ryckevelde team: info@ryckevelde.be, +32(0)50 35 27 20

Ryckevelde president: leonce.bekemans@ryckevelde.be