It's Time To Give Europe A Face! - 9th of May and the EP Campaign 2004

The objectives of the "Give Europe a Face" campaign can be explained as follows; the fostering of the idea of European Citizenship through spreading the idea that there is more that unites young people in Europe than what separates them. The Campaign was also aimed, in 2004, at informing young people about how important it is for them to vote in the European Parliament Elections in June 2004, since the EU has such an direct impact on their lives.

In the second half of 2004 the focus shifted towards the European Constitution and the importance of its ratification for the creation of a democratic and effective European Union that will shape the lives of young people as they grow up.

Financial aid was given by JEF-Europe to all those sections or groups interested in organising an activity, be it a debate, street action or information stand. Promotional material was produced and distributed in all our events and sent to all the sections that requested them.

Our ultra colourful T-shirts quickly became a must-have for all those who attended our seminars and international meetings and JEFers started to be immediately recognised wherever they went, be it in the Grand Place, under the Sagrada Familia, or on their way down the Champs Elysee!

>>> Have you ever seen a straight banana??

Through our website we gave young people from all over Europe (and even beyond) the opportunity to make themselves heard, by giving their face (and message) for Europe. This idea was highly successful and hundreds of photos were taken, and as many messages sent to us during the months preceding the European Parliament elections.

We also made a poll through which people could vote for the European of the year from a number of personalities that included politicians, footballers, actors etc. The poll was highly successful and from the four finalists the winner was chosen to be Vaide Vike-Freiberga!

Give Europe your Say! Face the Constitution Debate!

To celebrate the six month anniversary of "Give Europe a Face" an international gathering was organised in Brussels from the 21st to the 23rd January 2005.

The objective of the event aimed on one hand motivate youngsters to continue participating in the project, and on the other communicate to a wider audience which face Europe’s young citizens want it to have.

During the Weekend the participants had the opportunity to take part in a mock referendum campaign, seeing the mid-term results of the campaign and viewing the Exhibition of GEaF postcards

Visit the Give Europe a Face website on www.giveeuropeaface.net.