presentation - DAAD

My Experience as a 2009 Scholarship Candidate at the
3 rd Winter Academy - European Studies Seminar
Wellett Potter
By Wellett Potter
• I am an external student of the
University of New England,
Armidale, NSW, Australia;
• Currently studying Bachelor of
Arts/Bachelor of Law;
I was selected to be one of 27 candidates to
attend the “3rd 3rd Winter Academy European
Studies Seminar for Students From Australia
and New Zealand”; Zealand
The Seminar was held at the European
Academy, Otzenhausen Germany, from 6 th
to 19 th December 2009;
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Group Photo
�� A group photo of the Australian and New Zealand
candidates with Hans Beitz and Elisabeth Schmitt:
Photograph taken by Peter Simojoki - 18.12.09
The European Academy
Otzenhausen (EAO)
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Purpose and Format of
the Program
Flag of the EU
�� An introduction to political, social, economic and
environmental issues facing Europe today;
�� Understand Europe’s Europe s role as a global actor;
�� Develop intercultural understanding;
�� Make and maintain interpersonal networks;
�� During the mornings, we heard key lectures on European
integration, given by experts in their field of knowledge;
�� To deepen the knowledge gained at the morning lecture
through afternoon workshop groups;
�� Workshop groups presented late afternoon
seminars/presentations to demonstrate a deeper,
sophisticated understanding of the lecture and workshop;
Introduction to the 3 rd Winter Academy
European Studies Seminar
�� On Monday 7 th December 2009, our first morning at the
Academy (below), we were welcomed by Klaus-Peter Klaus Peter
Beck, AES, President of the Board of Trustees, Dr.
Elisabeth Schmitt EAO and Hans Beitz, Beitz,
AES,
Saarbrücken Saarbr cken;
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The European Academy
Otzenhausen (EAO)
�� Founded in 1954;
�� The first European Academy in
Germany;
�� Part of the European Federal
Movement;
Concept
�� Independent non-profit non profit organisation for extra-curricular
extra curricular
education;
�� Goal: to bring people together to discuss relevant issues;
�� Moto: Come together to create Europe;
Tour of the European Academy
(EAO)
�� We were given a tour of the beautiful
European Academy by Dr. Elisabeth
Schmitt.
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Lectures
�� Key lectures on European integration were given by
experts in their field of knowledge;
Above: Professor Dr. Joachim Schild,
University of Trier; and Dr. Elisabeth
Schmitt EAO;
Right: Hans Beitz AES;
Lecture Topics
�� Why European Integration? Major
Steps towards the EU since 1950 –
Professor Dr. Daniel Göler ler, , University of Passau;
�� Integration and Identity: From Major Steps Towards
European Integration to a Common European
Identity – Professor Dr. Frank Bassner, Bassner,
Director of the Franco- Franco
German Institute, Ludwigsburg;
�� The Political System of the EU –
Professor Dr. Joachim Schild, Schild,
University of Trier;
�� The EU as a Global Actor –
Professor Dr. Carlo Masala, Masala,
University of Bundeswehr, Bundeswehr,
Munich;
�� The Challenge of Sustainable Development as a
Global Phenomenon – Dr. Hannes Petrischak, Petrischak,
AES;
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Lecture Topics Continued…
Continued
�� Cophenhagen and Beyond – Which Role for Europe in
International Policies on Climate Change? –
Severin Fischer, Institut für Europäische Europ ische Politik (IEP), Berlin;
�� Europe as a Promoter of Democracy and Human
Rights – Sebastian Zeitzmann, Zeitzmann,
Europa-Institut
Europa Institut of Saarland
University, Saarbrücken Saarbr cken;
�� Between Protectionism and Free Trade: The EU’s EU s role
in the WTO Doha Development Round – Tilmann
Lahann, Lahann,
Europa-Institut
Europa Institut, , Saarland University, Saarbrücken Saarbr cken;
�� The EU East-Asia East Asia Relations – Dr. Dirk Schmidt, University
of Trier;
Afternoon Group Workshops
• We were divided into small groups and given research
questions or problems to work on, based on the
morning lecture topics;
• The aim was to present a seminar/presentation which
demonstrated a deeper knowledge of the topic, in the
late afternoon to the whole class;
L to R: Hans Beitz AES; Julia
Würtz, Berlin; Georg Walter AES;
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Workshop Topics
�� What rationale of European Integration? –
Hans Beitz and Dr. Elisabeth Schmitt;
�� United in Diversity –
Georg Walter AES, Julia Würtz rtz, , Berlin;
�� The EU as a Global Actor –
Hans Beitz and Dr. Elisabeth Schmitt;
�� A Successful Policy on Climate Change: A Common
Challenge for Europe and Australia – Severin Fischer,
Sonja Thielges, Thielges,
Institut für Europäische Europ ische Politik (IEP);
�� International Protection of Human Rights –
Sebastian Zeitmann; Zeitmann
�� Protectionism and Free Trade – Tilmann Lahann, Lahann,
Europa- Europa
Institut, Institut,
Saarland University, Saarbrücken Saarbr cken;
Group Seminars/Presentations
�� At the end of the workshop, each group presented a late
afternoon seminar/presentation on their assigned topic;
�� Presentations generally took the form of lectures, role
plays or Powerpoint presentations;
�� Questions and whole-class whole class discussion usually followed;
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Photos of Group
Seminars/Presentations
Day Trips
In total, there were four organised day trips:
�� Trier – Wednesday 9 th December 2009;
�� Luxembourg – Thursday 10 th December 2009;
�� Strasbourg – Monday 14 th December 2009;
�� Bonn – Thursday 17 th December 2009;
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TRIER - 9 th December 2009
�� We visited Trier due to its great historical significance as
Germany’s Germany s oldest city;
�� Significant sites that we visited included:
�� the Black Gate (Porta ( Porta Nigra), Nigra),
the largest
surviving Roman city gate north of the Alps;
�� The south wing of the Electoral Palace,
known as the Rococo Palace; Palace
LUXEMBOURG - 10
2009
10 th
December
th December
�� Firstly we visited the European Court of Justice and
attended a court hearing;
�� We were given free time at the Luxembourg Christmas
Markets for lunch;
�� In the afternoon we were taken on a guided walking tour of
the City of Luxembourg. Luxembourg.
This included many sites of
historical significance, such as the Parliament and the Royal
Palace;
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European Court of Justice Hearing
�� The case was on the legal responsibility of an airline
when it came to damages for lost baggage;
�� The advocates presented their arguments in French and
Spanish; it was concurrently translated into several
other languages, including English;
Lunch in Luxembourg
�� Lunch was spent at the Luxembourg Christmas
Markets, followed by some free time for a walk;
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Guided Walking Tour of Luxembourg –
Photomerge TM Panoramas
�� We saw some amazing scenery during our walking tour;
Government and Grand-Ducal Grand Ducal Palace
• We saw the buildings used by the Government and the
historic Grand-Ducal Palace, where, on Luxembourg’s
National Day, 23 rd June, crowds gather to greet the sovereign;
• Some of the buildings that we saw dated back to the 13 th
century;
• We also visited the beautiful Cathedral de Notre Dame;
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STRASBOURG - 14 th December 2009
�� We visited Strasbourg on Monday 14 th December
2009;
�� Firstly we visited the Council of Europe; Europe
�� Lunch was spent at the Christmas Markets; Markets
�� In the afternoon we visited the European
Parliament and met with the vibrant Doris Pack
(MEP - Saarland) for a lecture and
question and answer time;
The Council of Europe
�� We were given a lecture and tour of the Council of Europe,
which is an intergovernmental organisation. It aims to
protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law;
promote awareness of Europe’s Europe s cultural identity and
diversity; to find common solutions to challenges facing
European society and to consolidate democratic stability in
Europe by backing political, legislative and constitutional
reform;
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Strasbourg Christmas Markets
�� We visited the world famous Strasbourg Christmas
Markets at lunch; they were very large and spread out;
�� We saw many traditional gifts,
such as ornaments and nativity
scenes, as well as mulled wine and
traditional Christmas foods;
The European Parliament Strasbourg
�� We were given a lecture and tour of the European
Parliament, which defends the values that underpin the
EU: freedom, democracy, respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms, as well as rule of law;
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BONN - 17 th December 2009
�� We visited the “Haus Haus der Geschichte” Geschichte in Bonn to learn
more about modern German history;
�� After this we visited the DAAD in Bonn (German
Academic Exchange Service);
�� Candidates were given
further information about possible
future exchange opportunities for
Australian and New Zealand
students;
�� The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is the
largest funding organisation in the world supporting the
international exchange of students and scholars;
�� There are over 250 programs run by the DAAD, which
funds more than 55 000 German and foreign scholars
worldwide per annum;
�� There are other exchange
opportunities available for
outstanding Australian
and New Zealand students;
Above: Janine Stamm of DAAD
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Extra-Curricular Extra Curricular Activities
Extra-curricular Extra curricular activities included:
�� A dress-up dress up party, where every candidate was assigned to
represent one of the current 27 member states of the EU;
�� A bowling championship evening;
�� A pool table competition;
�� Christmas party;
Food at the EAO
During the 14 days, we enjoyed a great
variety of delicious traditional German
food, as well as wonderful tasty cold meats,
fresh fruits, salads, cheeses and desserts, all tastefully presented; presented;
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Walking in the Forest
On the northern edge of the European Academy is a
‘Sustainability Sustainability Park’, Park , incorporating an Arboretum. In addition
to the low mountain range of the Schwarzwalder Hochwald, Hochwald,
is the natural park Saar-Hunsr Saar Hunsrück ck;
Walking in the Forest
During most lunch times,
my new friends and I
would take the
opportunity to walk in the
magnificent forest!
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Snow!
�� Prior to visiting Germany, many Australian candidates had
not ever experienced snow;
�� We made the most of this opportunity…even opportunity even if it was very
cold!
Lunchtime Snow
Activities… Activities
�� Building a snowman;
�� Snowball fights!
�� Walking in the snow-covered
snow covered
forest;
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The “Hunnenring
Hunnenring”
�� On Friday 18 th December, our final afternoon, during
the free time session, my friends and I walked through
the forest along the Celtic sculpture trail ‘Cerda Cerda & Celtoi’ Celtoi
to the Celtic Circular Wall of Otzenhausen, Otzenhausen,
known as
the “Hunnenring Hunnenring”;
The View from the Top… Top
�� The view from the top of the “Hunnenring Hunnenring” was
amazing!
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Friendships – Interpersonal
Networks
Friendships – Interpersonal Networks
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Awarding of the Diplomas
�� Candidates were awarded with their diplomas on the
morning of Friday 18 th December 2009;
From left: Dr. Elisabeth Schmitt, EAO, Wellett Potter and Hans Beitz, AES Saarbrücken
Thank you!
�� Thank you for your fantastic support!
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Thank you to Everyone Involved
with the 3 rd Winter Academy!
Special Mentions:
�� To Hans Beitz, Dr. Elisabeth Schmitt, Klaus-Peter Klaus Peter Beck,
assistant Peter Simojoki and all of the staff at the European
Academy for your wonderful hospitality and kindness;
� To all of the lecturers for your informative, interesting and
thought-provoking lectures;
� To Dr. Jürgen Bröhmer (University of New England,
Armidale, Australia) and Dr. Michael Meimeth (ASKO
Europa Stiftung) for developing this Winter Academy;
� To Dr. Andreas Jaeger and the staff at the DAAD in Sydney
Australia for their support;
� To fellow candidate Abel Reyna Rivera (University of
Canterbury - New Zealand) for taking some of the
photographs of me used in this presentation;
I Hope You Enjoyed the Presentation!
© Wellett Potter 2010
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