What is Europe Day?

Did you know that 9 May is Europe Day? During the Milan Summit of EU leaders in 1985 it was decided to celebrate this day as "Europe Day". Every country which democratically chooses to accede to the European Union endorses its fundamental values of peace and solidarity.

What activities took place?

Working with the Ministère de l’Education Nationale and the British Embassy, we brought together over 60 pupils from two schools in disadvantaged arrondissements of Paris, for an afternoon thinking about what Europe means for them. Images of food, flags, history and customs from all over Europe helped to inspire the children in their drawings, as well their thoughts on where they had been in Europe, what was their favourite European country, where would they like to visit and why….

Where and why?

The afternoon took place at the Embassy Residence, successfully combining an open doors policy for Europe Day with social and educational aims.

Who else took part?

Two renowned illustrators were enlisted to encourage the pupils and draw out their artistic abilities; Quentin Blake, the famous illustrator of Roald Dahl’s stories and Nicole Lambert, author and illustrator of ‘Les petits européens’ a book designed to sensitize children to the European Union.

Activities were planned in two phases:

					pupils were given sketch books and pencils and asked to draw their ideas using photographs and posters from different European countries that were on display throughout different rooms of the Residence.
					in teams, using oil pastels they copied sketches from their notebooks onto giant rolls of paper spread out in the Gallery. These have since been displayed in the Residence and sent to the schools to be exhibited to other pupils.

Between the two activities a typical English ‘tea’ was served to keep up energy levels. Children were fascinated by butlers pouring tea from teapots and ate all the bakewell tarts and biscuits on offer.

Why was the day significant?

As well as their memories of the magnificent chandeliers in the Residence, we hope the pupils will remember this experience for gaining a clearer idea of what Europe is and why it is important for their future. Their drawings and poems showed an appreciation of the richness of the European Union, in all its cultural difference/variety, but also an understanding of the alliance that binds these very different countries together.

How were the participating schools selected?

Both schools had recently signed up to an international partnership under the Anglo-French Education Agreement. At the time of Europe Day, return visits to their partner schools in England were imminent, and we hope their experience at the Residence will give them a deeper awareness of international links and an added European perspective on their projects.

If you or your school is interested in joint curriculum projects and Anglo-French education partnerships you can read more on the British Council corporate site.