Event Agenda

This website offers event-related information for participants invited by the European Commission. Furthermore it contains interesting information and downloads also for all those who cannot attend, but are interested in the event and EVS.

On November 26^th we welcome you to a party at one of Brussels hot clubs, the Bazaar. In this informal atmosphere participants can get to know each other, dance and enjoy the oriental atmosphere and buffet.

Evening Welcome Party

Sunday, 26^th November 2006 at the Bazaar Club

18:00	Opening Reception
18:30	Short Welcome Address European Voluntary Service - 10 years and 30.000 reasons to celebrate
18:45	Buffet-Dinner and Opening of the dance floor
21:00	Intercultural Juleklapp Game Exchange of the gifts prepared by all participants attending the evening party.
23:30	End Transfer to the hostel

Event "10 Years of Solidarity and Active Citizenship - European Voluntary Service 1996-2006"

Monday, 27^th November 2006 in the Le Plaza Hotel

The morning session will start with a photo shooting after the registration followed by a welcome speech by Commissioner Figel' and two panel discussions.

After the lunch break, topics can be discussed in smaller groups so called "table discussions". Each table discussion will have a specific topic, for which the participants will register in advance. Former volunteers, EVS organisations, National Agencies, but also policy-makers and representatives of the European institutions will attend these groups so that a true European dialogue can be expected. The specific topic on each table will be introduced by a "table manager", an expert in the specific field. After the introduction, the participants have the chance to discuss which each other, ask questions to the expert and get to know examples from others. One table discussion participant will be selected as the table speaker (rapporteur) who will present the discussion results to the other conference attendees in the afternoon plenary session.

8:30	Registration
9:30	Preparation of participants for photo shoot
9:50	Photo shoot
10:00	Plenary: Welcome speech by Commissioner Ján Figel’
10:20	Panel Discussion I: EVS - from the beginning to today Invited speakers: Jaakko Weuro (European Youth Forum) Andreas Schwab (International Cultural Youth Exchange) Babette Nieder (former member of cabinet) Hans Koschnick (chairman of the EVS “Koschnick group” 1996-1997) (apologised) Luciano Vecchi (Rapporteur on EVS in the European Parliament in 1996-1997) (apologised) Anki Pulliainen, former EVS volunteer
11:05	Panel discussion II: EVS - the future Invited speakers: Odile Quintin (Director-General DG EAC) Lissy Gröner (Member of the European Parliament) Massimiliano Viatore (President, Association of Voluntary Service Organisations, AVSO) Ad de Raad (Executive Director, United Nations Volunteers) Erika Koller (Rapporteur of the study group of the European Economic and Social Committee on "Volunteering: its role in European society and its impact") Pawel Slowikowski, former EVS volunteer
12:00	Lunch break
13:00	Table discussions in smaller groups
14:15	Coffee break
14:45	Plenary: Presentation of table discussion results
15:45	Statement by Margot Wallström (Vice President of the European Commission, Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy)
16:00	Closing Speech by Pierre Mairesse (Director for youth, sport and relations with the citizen, DG Education and Culture, European Commission)
16:15	End of the festivities