EP Ambassadors programme

The basics… 23 Participating schools 46 Teachers involved (Senior Ambassadors) More than 800 Students involved (46 Junior Ambassadors)

Support by the EPIO Our Office supported the actions of the participating schools throughout the year. 2 Seminars and presentations at the start of the programme by the Head of the EPIO. Information material sent to all schools Regular communication by email. Visit of Deputy Minister of Education, Research and Religious Affairs, Mr. Theodosis Pelegrinis (Photo 1) EP Ambassadors Seminars in Athens 16 & 17 January 2016 (Middle Photo) and Thessaloniki 22 & 23 January 2016 (Photo 3)

EP School Ambassadors Seminar in Athens, 16 & 17 January 2016 (From left to right) Mr. Dimitrios Papadimoulis (MEP) Mr. Leonidas Antonakopoulos (Head of the European Parliament’s Office in Athens) Mr. Notis Marias (MEP) Mr. Argyris Peroulakis (Deputy Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Greece) EP School Ambassadors Seminar in Thessaloniki, 23 & 24 January 2016 Mr. Leonidas Antonakopoulos (Head of the European Parliament’s Office in Athens) And Mr. Notis Marias (MEP)

So far… 14 Schools have sent a report, pictures and videos of their actions 6 Schools have completed their actions 7 Schools are in the process of completing their actions.

Actions include: Simulation of EU Institutions & Delegations such as the European Parliament, ECON and the European Council Debates about current EU affairs including the Brexit and the refugee crisis Solidarity & Awareness campaigns for the refugees and the LGBT youth, including writing books, songs and creating music videos (even heavy metal songs!) Visits to EU Institutions in Greece such as Europe Direct in Komotini and the European Parliament’s Office in Athens

The evaluation process Evaluation of actions to be completed by the end of September. The designation of a School as an “EP Ambassador School” will be done in a celebratory ceremony to be held in our Office in the presence of MEPs (October 2016) Senior High School of Pyrgetos was the 2016 Charlemagne Youth Prize 2nd winner to be designated EP Ambassador ex gratia.

4 selected actions around 2 areas… Politics Debate on the refugee crisis Participation in simulations Solidarity & Awareness through Creativity Radio Spot Solidarity to refugees: Students in action

Political Debate: The refugee crisis Senior Evening High School of Aegaleo 40 students wished to participate -> 12 were chosen, 2 teams of 6 Goals: fully inform students about the relevant law, the European Union’s policies and the powers of the European Parliament on this issue broaden their knowledge through the search of articles, studies, statistics and analysis exchange arguments and participate in a coordinated dialogue and confrontation of views on such a sensitive issue, without empathy and exaggeration.

Participation in simulations of EU Institutions 3rd High School of Alexandroupolis participated in: the summits of the European Youth Parliament ECON I Skype conversation about the refugees with MEP Stelios Kouloglou at the Europe Direct building in Kommotini Media Coverage: Televsion: SKAI TV (Greece), R Channel (Thrace), ERT (National Channel of Greece) Radio: Thrace NET Press: “Eleutheri Thrace”

3rd High School of Alexandroupolis at the 81st Summit European Youth Parliament in Ireland, 5 – 13 March 2016

Students converse with MEP Stelios Kouloglou about the refugee crisis Europe Direct, Komotini

Musical Creativity: Radio Spot 1st High School of Kavala 1st place in the Panhellenic Student Competition Radio Spot “Make it (to be) heard” to promote solidarity in the EU and Greece The radio spot was played for a week by Athens radio 98,4 FM

Solidarity to refugees: Students in action Co-op event: 5th and 1st High Schools of Kavala, Municipality of Kavala & The University of Thrace for the Day of Europe Promotion of solidarity acceptance through knitted flags of Europe Students in Action: Students welcome and assist refugees at the Port of Kavala providing food and clothes Students collect & provide clothes to the children of the refugees

Europe Day 9th of May 2016: “ "The world is a neighbourhood; Europe is a hug"

The future Awaiting formal approval of the programme by the Bureau. Intensifying our cooperation with existing schools – providing broad areas and guidelines for future actions. Welcoming new schools into the programme.