More than 150 participants from various European countries, including groups from Poland (Gdańsk), Sweden (Västerås), and France (Mulhouse), as well as from the northern Hesse region, took part in the Third European Citizen Encounter (EBB) in Kassel from September 12th to 15th, 2024. They contributed to numerous workshops and activities.
The event kicked off with the opening ceremony at the Kassel Town Hall. On Thursday evening, the EBB was launched with fanfares from the CVJM Brass Band and a Ukrainian band. In his welcome speech to the guests from Europe, Dr. Sven Schoeller, Mayor and patron of the event, stated that Europe must once again become a project of the younger generations: “We must anchor Europe not only in our minds but also in our hearts.” The Citizen Encounter contributes to this goal. Not only were the guests welcomed, but greetings were also extended to the hosts. In a total of 7 languages, the citizens of Europe were prepared for the days ahead.
On Friday and Saturday, the actual encounter took place in the workshops. Participants discussed and exchanged ideas on a wide range of topics. In total, 15 workshops were held. The workshops allowed participants to engage with a broad spectrum of themes. One of the most popular workshops was “At the Common Table – Life in Multicultural Cities.” Drawing on their experiences, participants compared their living conditions in Gdańsk, Lviv, and Kassel, sharing positive examples as well as everyday problems. In the “Direct Democracy and Citizen Participation in Europe” workshop, participants looked at countries that already have long-standing experience with direct democratic processes. Contrary to the still-present German skepticism, citizen initiatives, referenda, and citizen petitions have proven to be compatible with representative parliamentary systems. The need for direct democratic additions at both the local and national levels is demonstrated by the many citizens’ councils, whose opinions are integrated into parliamentary decisions. The “Decision-Making and Dialogue in Planning Cells” workshop was particularly diverse, with participants from six nations discussing their experiences in voluntary work.
Friday evening concluded with two concerts. At the Schlachthof, the guests had the rare opportunity to hear Mariia Parkhomenko, an accomplished soloist on the Bandura, a traditional Ukrainian lute. Together with clarinetist Oleksandr Perlosvskyi, she offered a varied program of classical and contemporary pieces. Following that, the Kassel world music ensemble Nawa invited everyone on a musical world tour.
On Saturday, three more highlights of EBB2024 took place. At an event attended by around 120 guests in the hall of the Neue Denkerei, European Parliament Vice-President Katarina Barley called for engagement in the preservation of democracy. “Democracy is not static; it is a process that must be secured, fought for, and lived.” In Hungary, fundamental democratic rules have been abolished, but the example of Poland shows that democracy can also be regained. Criticism of current politics is not a justification to turn away from democracy. Europe must continue to stand for unity, solidarity, and compassion. After the discussion, a rally was held where participants demanded more European solidarity, especially in light of the conflicts on the European continent. In the evening, the now legendary Europe Party marked the conclusion of the EBB. The final evening dinner reflected on the intense days, and the event concluded with a lively dance.
The event was organized by the Europa Union Kassel, supported by the cooperation partners “Pulse of Europe,” the City of Kassel, and the EU information office “Europe Direct.” The event was supported by the “CERV” program of the European Commission, the Foundation for German-Polish Cooperation, the Kasseler Sparkasse, the Hessian State Chancellery, the Meckelburg Garden Center, as well as many other donors and members of the Europa-Union Kassel e.V.
If you need further information about the CERV Program, please find the event description sheet below.