Dialogue with mentors of the Euroschool and EPAS project

Last Friday, 31. January 2020, was particularly exciting for MEP Irena Joveva. She met with representatives of the Association of Pensioners of Slovenia (ZDUS) at House of EU to discuss the challenges faced by the elderly, and then in a relaxed environment exchanged views with the mentors of the combined program Ambassador School of the European Parliament and the Euroschool.

MEPs discussed with the representatives of ZDUS the challenges seniors face, both at the national and European level. ZDUS representatives presented the project Elders for Elderly and Intergenerational Days, which they organize together with youth representatives. Long-term care, good practice examples, European funding of projects for senior citizens were a key points during the talks.

Afterwards, the House of EU hosted a second seminar for the mentors of the combined program School of Ambassadors of the European Parliament and the Euroschool. 60 schools and more than 150 mentors participated in the project this year. The mentors had the opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions on European and current topics with Slovenian MEPs. The discussion took place as part of five tables where Irena Joveva answered questions related to environmental policy. The mentors were interested in various issues regarding the future European environmental policy; from the environmental legislation, the mechanisms to achieve the very ambitious goals of the European Green Deal, the regulation of sustainable landfills, the fight against polluted land / air … to the position of the European Parliament and the Renew Europe Group to nuclear energy as a transitional energy sources until reaching full energy supply from renewable energy. Of course, just like any individual, the mentors were also interested in MEPs changed lifestyle, what do they do in the European Parliament, have they already had time to visit Brussels etc.

After the event ended, Joveva pointed out that she welcomes events like this one with mentors. She believes that all citizens should be able – through such events – to exchange views with MEPs, thus bringing European topics closer to the people. She also cannot wait to meet with mentors and students in the up coming coming months, when they will try to put into practice the proposals put forward in their schools within the Euroschool and EPAS project.