Mr Darcos delivering his speech

The school projects showcased at the meeting, with a strong focus on European citizenship and intercultural education, were an opportunity to highlight some of the best practices of teaching Europe at school, in particular the activities related to the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

Mr Darcos offered educational software to teachers and students to help them further develop and improve their projects with European partners.

On this occasion Mr Darcos said that language learning is a key element that enables young people to interact with peers from other European countries. He also mentioned that: I care about the education of Europe, which moreover finds its rightful place in the new programmes of primary schools, because I am deeply convinced that Europe does not need to be left only to the specialists, but that it is, quite on the contrary, an exciting political and cultural project concerning all the inhabitants of the Union and particularly the youth.

Mr Darcos closed his speech by congratulating all schools that take part in the 6th edition of Spring Day. He also stated that, next autumn, during the French presidency of the European Union, from 1 July to 31 December, more than 5000 French schools are expected to take part in European school collaborative projects.

Related information

Spring Day for Europe 2008: Minister Darcos met a group of schools (French)

Speech by Mr Darcos, French minister of education (French)

Speech by Janice Richardson, European Schoolnet, Brussels (PDF file, French)