The boys and girls winners of the “Europa Jove” and “What does Europe mean to you?” they traveled in Brussels invited by the European Alliance/Els Verds MEP Jordi Solé.
As a reward for having presented the best photographs, videos and research works on Europe, students of the Manuel Blancafort Institute of La Garriga, the Virgen del Portal de Batea, the Diocesan School of Navàs, the Conde de Ríos Institute of Tarragona, the Mercè Rodoreda Institute of L'Hospitalet and the Súnion School of Barcelona were able to visit the capital of European sovereignty for two days.
As soon as they arrived in Brussels, the delegation, headed by Miquel Carrillo, responsible for Jordi Solé's local office, moved to the European neighborhood, and started the day in the Committee of the Regions, an EU advisory body that allows representatives of the member states give their opinion on the impact of EU laws on the diferent regions. They were received by Michael O'Conchuir, Secretary General of the European Alliance-The Greens in CdR, who explained to the group the operation and local importance of this organization, unknown by the majority of Europeans, and which, being only advisory in nature, allows the different regions of the continent can discuss the convenience of the agreements made in the Parliament for its territory.
With just enough time to taste the famous Belgian fries for lunch, the group entered the House of European History, a cultural institution and museum of the European Union that presents visitors with the entire history of the old continent in a detailed way and with elements graphics and audiovisuals. With five floors, it reviews everything from the myths of Princess Europe to the fall of the Berlin Wall, passing through the feudal era or the first half of the 20th century with the two world wars.
In the middle of the afternoon, the group enjoyed some free time to, mainly, move around. from the European quarter to the center of the Belgian capital, but also to visit classic images of Brussels such as the Grand Place and the imposing façade of the town hall or the famous statue of the Manneken Floor. At night, the group had dinner with Jordi Solé, and they were able to have a place with him, who resolved all the concerns of the young people.
The next day, Solé received the group again, but in this case at the European Parliament, the headquarters of European sovereignty. He explained to them the functioning and functions of the European Parliament and the importance of continental organizations. Then the boys and girls go visit Parliament, entering the chamber and walking through the guts of the building. The procession goes lunch in the Parliament canteen, and went straight to the Parlamentarium, the visitor center of the European Parliament, a kind of museum that explains what Parliament is, its functions, and allows you to know in depth the different organizations of the European Union from, especially, interactive elements.
The Parlamentarium was the last activity that the group carried out in Brussels before returning towards Catalonia in two frenetic days that served to bring the European institutions closer to one group of young people who, in July, will elect their representatives in the European Union for the first time.
