On January 23 until 25, 2025, school leaders and Erasmus coordinators from the EuroSchoolNet2000 network gathered at Carolus-Magnus-Gymnasium in Übach-Palenberg and St. Leonhard Gymnasium in Aachen for their Annual General Meeting (AGM). The focus of this year’s meeting was the planning of new Erasmus mobility opportunities for students and celebrating the anniversary of the network.
Founded 25 years ago by teachers from I.E.S. Santa Maria La Real (Spain), Charlemagne College Eijkhagen (Netherlands), and I.I.S.S. “Ettore Majorana” (Italy), EuroSchoolNet2000 has grown to include 17 schools across Europe. Since its inception, the network has met annually to coordinate and carry out exchange visits as part of the current Erasmus Programme 2021–27.
The meeting opened on Friday at Carolus-Magnus-Gymnasium. Following a warm welcome and a tour of the school, students from the EF (10th grade) presented their student council activities and peer mediation program. The first working session then focused on the organization of EuroSchoolNet, setting the joint agenda, and electing key positions within the network. In the afternoon, participants enjoyed a group excursion to Aachen, where team-building activities were met with great enthusiasm.
On Saturday, the conference continued at St. Leonhard Gymnasium in Aachen. Together with representatives from Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, and Finland, further exchange projects were planned. In her address, Deputy Mayor Hilde Scheidt praised the dedication of teachers and highlighted the valuable opportunities they create for young people to experience a diverse and dynamic Europe first hand.
A subsequent visit to Vogelsang in the Eifel – a historically significant site as a former Nazi training center – once again underscored the importance of European cooperation. The excursion strengthened the participants’ commitment to providing students with meaningful opportunities to experience European collaboration and to fostering partnerships that are more crucial today than ever.
The meeting achieved its goals: Erasmus project trips abroad for the coming school year were successfully arranged. Students will be hosted by local families, giving them the chance to experience a new school system and daily life in another country. In this way, they gain fresh perspectives on Europe and develop a deeper understanding of the European dimension. Through joint projects, they will also explore how participation is practiced at partner schools, while being encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and engage openly with new families and communities across Europe.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this event, with special gratitude to Deputy Mayor Scheidt for her words of encouragement. Our appreciation also goes to all schools within EuroSchoolNet2000 for their outstanding cooperation and support. We look forward to many more fruitful exchange projects in the years ahead.
Leave a Reply