From 17 March 2008, the day when the SD for Europe 2008 was launched, schools have been signing up at a rate of more than 100 a day. The registration of the 3000th school comes just three weeks after school number 1000 (Colegiul Tehnic Apulum, Alba-Iulia, Romania) and two weeks after number 2000 (Freihen-vom-Stein-Gymnasium, Leverkusen, Germany).

Juan Luis Ortega Partida, the teacher that registered the 3000th school, says that, by tradition, Spring Day for Europe enables young generation to debate Europe and therefore "helps us prepare youth for the tomorrow’s challenges".

Available in 23 languages, the Spring Day for Europe web portal is the central point of the campaign. The portal features a number of curriculum-based activities, resources, services and tools that can be accessed by schools once registered.

Many key European political figures confirmed their participation in Spring Day: European Commission Vice President Margot Wallström, European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering, Commissioner Ján Figel' and President Luc Van den Brande (Committee of Regions).

European Economic and Social Committee President, Dimitris Dimitriadis, has already hosted an online debate that focused on entrepreneurship and cultures through dialogue. Many other public figures register to pay visits to schools to meet students and teachers and join debates.

Spring Day for Europe runs this year from 25 March to 30 June 2008, with a particular focus on 9 May, when Europe Day is celebrated. Spring Day for Europe 2008 joins the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue initiative to promote intercultural dialogue and help raise awareness of cultural diversity with young people, as a major asset to our common European cultural heritage.

Further information

Spring Day for Europe web portal 

Contact: Petru Dumitru springday@springday2008.net