7. This year we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of what is a unique EU
visitors programme. I commend the existence of this study and information
programme which over the years has supplied an invaluable network of
contacts.
The European Institutions have profited, year after year, from the outreach
conferred by thousands of visitors who have participated in it. From their part,
visitors have been brought not only closer but also to the very inside of the
European Union’s mechanism, giving them an unparalleled insight into the
objectives and challenges ahead. As in any other case, inside knowledge allows
a much better appreciation of reality, thereby fostering trust and bringing down
stereotypes.
The visitors programme has also served as a window for the values Europe
upholds.
For some EUVP visitors freedom and democracy are still a rarity in the
countries they come from. In other countries the institutions safeguarding
freedom and democracy are in their nascent phase. The EU is based on these
principles and proudly bears the flag of such values.
EUVP visitors, irrespective of gender, origin, skin colour, faith, or life style, learn
that the European Union aims to be a trustworthy interlocutor and a partner
that will defend and support democratic institution building.
I am convinced that the EUVP will continue to be as successful as ever in
the years ahead because its model is built on the most basic and the most
effective element - the individual. The contacts established with people from
all around the world and from a multiple of backgrounds build solid bridges of
understanding which are so fundamental for any ambitious project.
Martin Schulz
President of the
European Parliament
7
9. The European Union Visitors Programme (EUVP) makes an important
contribution to deepening the ties between the European Union and third
countries around the globe. By bringing together people from all around the
world we counter ignorance and invest in lasting partnerships. This is an
investment in future generations. It is also an investment in peace.
The EUVP helps to strengthen our shared values. In coming together to learn
and exchange ideas we realise that we have more in common than divides
us. I have personally benefitted from international visitors programmes when
I was a young student. Today I am very happy that the European Union can
contribute to fostering ties between young people from so many different
countries and backgrounds. By sharing our knowledge we can build a better
world together.
The European Union Visitors Programme constitutes a platform for dialogue.
It allows people to build a better understanding of the European Union but also
for the Union to get deeper insights into how third countries perceive us. This is
of enormous value to the European External Action Service. In today’s complex
and connected world we need to cooperate closely with partners on the joint
challenges we face. This starts by building trust among younger generations.
The future leaders and opinion-formers that come together through the
European Union Visitors Programme every year make an important
contribution to a common EU foreign policy that is rooted in mutual
understanding. We are proud to celebrate our 40th
anniversary this year and
look forward to many more fruitful years of cooperation and exchange.
Federica Mogherini
High Representative of the Union
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
and Vice-President
of the European Commission
9
10. The European Union Visitors
Programme (EUVP) dates back to
the early 1970’s when there was little
understanding of the role of the then
European Community.
Following an inter-parliamentary
meeting with the U.S. Congress in
Washington in May 1972, a former
Vice- President of the European
Parliament, Dr. Willem Schuijt
proposed the creation of a scholarship
programme aimed at educating
young Americans about the European
Community.
And so for the past 40 years, the
‘European Union Visitors Programme’,
as it is called today, has grown and
expanded to meet the challenge
of promoting the EU and its values
beyond our borders.
Mairead McGuinness
Vice-President of the European
Parliament for Communication
10
11. During a recent visit to the U.S., I
witnessed that, more than 40 years
after Dr. Schuijt’s visit to Washington,
the functions and the roles of the EU
can continue to cause confusion.
I am convinced that the EUVP plays
a vital role in spreading accurate
information about the EU by offering
participants direct access to the
Institutions as well as one-to-one
meetings with Members of Parliament
and officials.
The success of the Programme can
be linked to its structure which is
unique. At its inception, the Parliament
invited the European Commission to
join forces in financing and running
the Programme. Since its creation,
the EUVP has been the only truly
inter-institutional unit made up of
personnel from both the Parliament
and the Commission. This mix of
both Institutions guarantees that
knowledge is shared and that the
most appropriate interlocutors are
identified for every participant on the
Programme.
Another aspect that, in my opinion,
contributes to the success of the
Programme is that, during the
meetings organised by the EUVP,
participants and interlocutors can
speak freely about topics of mutual
concern and ask probing questions.
Very often participants spend time
explaining the policies or opinions of
their home country. The overriding
objective is to share knowledge of
the EU, its Institutions, its values and
its people and by so doing spread
the message about inter-country
cooperation, while celebrating
difference and the individuality of
Member States. It is hoped that the
participation of our visitors will enable
them to know us better, to understand
our ways and to spread a fuller, more
complete picture of the EU in their
home country.
Ultimately we want to build bridges
between their home country and the
EU and its Member States.
Meeting, talking, networking, finding out
and enquiring are all important aspects
of the EUVP.
We thank our former Vice-President
for dreaming up the concept and
making it happen, and we thank those
who have come, participated and
returned to their home better equipped
to talk about the EU, its evolution, its
achievements and its challenges.
11
13. 40 YEARS
OF SHARING
EU VALUES
The European Union Visitors’
Programme (EUVP) was an initiative
of the Members of the European
Parliament and is co-chaired by
the Vice-President of the European
Parliament, Ms Mairead McGuinness,
and the High Representative of the
Union for Federal Affairs and Security
Policy and Vice-President of the
European Commission, Ms Federica
Mogherini.
The EUVP was established in 1974
by the European Parliament and the
European Commission as an invitation
programme to bring promising young
professionals from the United States to
Europe to give them the opportunity to
learn more about the Institutions and
workings of the European Community.
On the inaugural visit, in 1974, five
American visitors took part in the
programme. To date, approximately
4000 visitors from third countries
have taken part in the programme.
This year, 167 visitors from 68
countries have been invited.
The EUVP has greatly expanded
geographically and now acts on a
worldwide basis.
OBJECTIVES
The EUVP aims to enable young
current or emerging leaders in
government, politics, the media and
other key fields from third countries
to visit and become acquainted in
depth with the Institutions of the
European Union as guests of the
European Parliament and the European
Commission. Moreover, the EUVP
aims to create a lasting external
network of contacts from wich many
EU institutions can profit.
A typical EUVP study tour comprises 5
to 8 day programme of meetings with
Members of the European Parliament
and officials from the EU Institutions.
Each study programme is individually
tailored to match the visitor’s
professional profile and interests. It
is composed of approximately 15-
20 bilateral meetings on topics of
mutual interest to the visitor and the
interlocutor resulting in a win-win
situation.
13
14. EVOLUTION
The underlying principles behind the creation of a European Community
‘leader grant programme’ were developed at the first European Parliament/
United States Congress Inter-parliamentary meeting held in Washington in
May 1972, led by then Vice-President of the European Parliament and former
Dutch Senator, Dr. Willem Schuijt.
On his return to Europe, Dr. Schuijt reported that his group had encountered
misunderstandings in Washington over the EC’s economic stance that could
result in future conflict. Subsequently, Dr. Schuijt suggested the creation of a
scholarship programme for young Americans who would learn in Europe about
Community integration through direct contacts.
Launching of the ECVP
In January 1973, the Parliament adopted a resolution establishing the
programme as a means to ‘strengthening the links between the European
Community and the United States’. In this resolution, the Commission was
invited to join forces in financing and running the proposed programme.
In February 1974, the President of the European Parliament, Mr Berkhower, and
Vice-President of the Commission, Mr Scarascia Mugnozza, agreed to create
an inter-institutional invitation programme for young US leaders. The European
Community’s Visitors Programme (ECVP) was officially launched on 1 April
1974. The ECVP, which was largely modelled on a similar US programme that
had existed since World War II, invited American leaders to the then 9 countries
of the Common Market on a 4 to 5 week study-tour. In those early years, the
itinerary of every visitor involved meetings at the EU institutions in Brussels
and attendance at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg
as well as traveling to 3 other member states.
14
15. EU DELEGATIONS’ CRUCIAL ROLE
Following the expansion of the programme, it now targets young leaders
and opinion formers from the countries where the EEAS has a delegation.
Potential candidates who a priori meet the selection criteria are proposed by
the EU Delegations. Members of the European Parliament and Member States’
Embassies can also make recommendations.
The EU Delegations are required to follow-up EUVP visits and to stay in contact
with former participants, who can become lifelong friends and supporters of
the EU. Many former participants have progressed to positions of national and
international eminence - among our former visitors we have Prime Ministers
and even a European Commissioner.
The creation of a network of former EUVP participants has also benefitted
the EU Delegations. Once participants have returned home, EU Delegations
maintain regular contact with them: e.g. mailing lists, invitation to seminars or
receptions, participation in programmes for official visits by Members
and officials of EU Institutions, etc.
15
17. Corina Creţu
European Commissioner
for Regional Policy
PROMINENT
FORMER
PARTICIPANTS
The first time I came to Brussels and first visited the
European institutions, it was through the European
Union Visitors Programme for young politicians. I
was in my early twenties, and it really inspired me
and helped me to determine that I wanted to make
a career in European politics. Now I am proud to say
I have served 8 years as an MEP before becoming
Commissioner for Regional Policy.
The Parliament and the Commission work hand
in hand so this experience is definitely an asset. It
goes without saying that the experience of being a
Commissioner is a very different one from being
an MEP. In the Parliament I represented the citizens
of my country and the interests of my European
political group. At the Commission our European
hat stays on firmly and it should be of no particular
political colour. I always have to have all 500 million
European citizens in mind. Of course as Regional
Policy Commissioner I am also often on the go,
travelling around regions and seeing for myself
how our funds and investments are working on
the ground. But I must say I enjoy getting to the
Parliament once a month with the College for the
plenary sessions – its good to catch up with friends
and keep connected.
I congratulate you for the continuation of this
programme and I hope that among the EU visitors
of today are the MEPs and the Commissioners of
tomorrow!
18. PROMINENT
FORMER
PARTICIPANTS
Mr Emil BOC
Former Romanian Prime Minister
Romania
Mr Richard HOLBROOKE
Diplomat
United States of America
Ms Adolphine BYAYUWA MULEY
Provincial Minister for the Environment
Democratic Republic of Congo
Mr Ronald CHANCE
Member of the Senate
United States of America
Mr Nicholas P. COLLINS
Member of the House of Representatives
United States of America
Mr Jean Willys De MATOS SANTOS
Member of the Brazilian Congress
Brazil
Ms Kamina JOHNSON SMITH
Member of the Senate, House of Parliament
Jamaica
Ms Aisha GULALAI
Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan
Pakistan
Mr Patrick MUYAYA KATEMBWE
Member of the National Assembly of Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of Congo
Mr TIN PEI LING
Member of the Parliament of the Republic
of Singapore
Singapore
Mr Mirza USTAMUJIC
Member of the House of Representatives
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ms Kezang WANGMO
Member the National Assembly
of Bhutan
Bhutan
Mr Bryan K. BARNETT
Mayor, City of Rochester
United States of America
Mr Ledi BIANKU
Judge at the European Court
of Human Rights
Albania
Mr Tunku ZAIN Al ABIDIN
Founding President, Institute for Democracy
and Economic Affairs (IDEAS)
Malaysia
etc.
18
22. PARTNERSHIP
‘ It has been demonstrated in the
warmth of the people with whom I
have met and it has been expressed
in the clear and deliberate information
that has been shared with me. I
strongly believe that this trip will have
a direct impact on my country in the
areas of education and youth, as I
am the opposition spokesperson on
Education and Youth.’
EUVP Participant Ms Kamina JOHNSON SMITH
Member of Senate
House of Parliament
Kingston
Jamaica
22
24. ‘ I felt that as an individual I am free
to express myself. I am free to ask
questions, to approach people, to have
conversations, to have really nice
discussions. I really felt this individual
freedom and had space to express
myself and to be myself.’
INDIVIDUAL
FREEDOM
EUVP Participant Ms Andrea ČORDAŠ
Project Manager
Chamber of Commerce
Mostar
Bosnia and Herzegovina
24
26. ‘ I think that the European ideal of
Unity in Diversity should be a world
ideal. For someone that comes from a
country like mine with 2.345.408 km²,
around 350 ethnicities, 350 dialects, 4
national languages as well as French
and a bit of English, with an incredible
amount of ethnic conflicts, I think
that it is very interesting to see how
28 countries of the European Union
manage to understand each other and
unite in order to build things together.’
EUVP Participant Mr Patient LIGODI
Director General
Radio Univers FM
Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of Congo
DIVERSITY
26
28. EQUALITY
EUVP Participant Ms Shauna DILLAVOU
Executive Director
CommunityRED
Washington D.C.
United States of America
‘ It blows me away that there are
28 Member States, that there are
so many kinds of people. It’s not
just that you are French or German.
Inside of all those places you have all
different kinds of people with different
backgrounds. Everyone is considered
as a European citizen. This sort of
equal level for everyone is something
that I would hope for us in the US.
I really walk away with the impression
that it is thoughtfully constructed and
considered.’
28
30. ‘ On our first day, we had been walking
around the Parliament and one of the
programme organisers told me that
the big glass windows were a symbol
of transparency. I was impressed
on that day and could observe this
throughout the whole week. I saw
how open and welcoming all the EU
institutions are. Not only open for me
as a visitor and journalist but open for
the general public. I saw many young
people, older people, tourists and locals
who came to discover for themselves
the everyday life of the different
institutions of the EU. The doors are
open and that is impressive.’
EUVP Participant Ms Dinara DULTAEVA
Head of Business Section
Economic Review Magazine
Centre for Economic Research
Tashkent
Uzbekistan
TRANSPARENCY
30
32. ‘ I met several Members of the
European Parliament from different
political groups who are working
together in a democratic assembly.
Although they may have different
thoughts and opinions, there is an open
communication and a well-designed
system, which promote peace for
everyone. That is what we need and
wish for the world nowadays. In the
last years we have had too many wars,
particularly around my country, Turkey.
We hope it will end soon and all people
will have peace.’
PEACE
EUVP Participant Mr. Musa ÇOPUR
Project Coordinator
Turkish Psychological Association
Istanbul
Turkey
32
34. ‘ In East Asia, nationalism often
paralyses the possibility of
international cooperation. When I
visited the EU institutions in Brussels,
what I found was that many people
were fully aware of the importance of
tolerance. Kindness to the others has
been not the obstacle but the key to
the prosperity of all the EU Member
States. As a professor of international
politics, I need to tell to Asian students
that this is exactly what we should
learn from the experience of European
integration.’
TOLERANCE
EUVP Participant Mr. Yuichi HOSOYA
Professor of International Politics
University of Keio
Tokyo
Japan
34
36. RESPECT
‘ Having met with different delegates
and representatives, visiting the
different sites and getting briefed by
different colleagues, I can see the
diversity in the EU with its 28 countries
while they are working on common
goals and policies. Under such a
diversified and dynamic environment,
respect is of crucial importance - the
need to respect the different views,
different working styles and different
cultures.’
EUVP Participant Ms Yanyan YIP
Chief Executive Officer
Civic Exchange
Hong Kong
People’s Republic of China
36
38. DEMOCRACY
‘ There is definitely a merit in the EU
Integration process: even though
there are contradictions that are
unavoidable when it comes to bringing
different countries together in common
governance, there are legitimate
concerns from the citizens. It is very
important that the EU process has
kept democracy as a key component.
It has tried to have more democratic
Institutions at the EU level; it has
subsided into giving more power to
the most democratic Institution, the
European Parliament. It is important to
generate wealth but it is also important
how we do it. That has to do with
bringing citizens to the process.’
EUVP Participant Dr Ricardo TORRES PÉREZ
Head of the Cuban Economy Team
Centre for the Study of the Cuban Economy
University of Havana
Havana
Cuba
38
40. FREEDOM OF
EXPRESSION
‘ In Europe, people from different
countries, with different cultures,
traditions and languages can feel free
and can openly express their opinion
- even if this is not according to the
majority. In Europe everyone can keep
their identity, individuality and
self-esteem. It is an important part of
European democracy.
Thank you for the opportunity of
walking with my head held high!’
EUVP Participant Ms Anna MATIUKHINA
Media/Relations advisor of Senate of Yekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg
Russian Federation
40
42. DIGNITY
‘ We have greatly discussed common
interests that touch the creation of
more just societies, better societies,
where people can feel more secure,
where the human potential can be
developed. From that point of view,
dignity and solidarity are the values
that have struck me the most during
my visit in Brussels.’
EUVP Participant Mr Patrick NDZANA OLOMO
Policy Officer
Division of Investment and Resource Mobilisation
African Union
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
42
44. RULE
OF LAW
‘ The respect for the rule of law and
the effective, equal and unbiased
implementation of the EU legislation
at national level is to a certain effect
the guardian of European democracies.
The four capital freedoms of the
European Union, the free movement of
people, goods, services and capital, can
only be prolific if there is a thorough
respect and understanding for the rule
of law and here the European Union
as a whole can be seen as an example
of good practices on the international
arena. The respect for the rule of law
in the EU was the foundation on which
the entire European project was built
and I believe that there are lessons
to be learned from such successful
initiatives.’
EUVP Participant Ms Aïssata LAM
Founder and President
Junior Chamber of Commerce of Mauritania
Nouakchott
Mauritania
44
47. Since its creation in 1974, the EUVP has evolved to reflect
the EU’s growing importance in the international arena,
expanding its collaboration with the EU delegations in
75 Third Countries. Accordingly, the EUVP has gradually
adapted its programme to the EU’s new role on the world
stage, that of a stronger and global actor in a multipolar
and polycentric world.
This opening to a larger number of countries has
become essential, due in part to globalisation and to the
technological revolution, but above all in order to take into
account the development of strategic partnerships between
the EU and a still growing number of third countries.
Today, the EUVP has an important role to play in this
dynamic future and the achievement of common goals,
which must be based on deep mutual knowledge and
understanding, as well as the sharing of common values.
The challenge for the EUVP is not only to continue to
adapt to the ever changing political environment by
facilitating direct contact and by serving as a permanent
interface between visitors and their contacts within the
European institutions, but also, principally indeed, to foster
and promote common values, such as Human Dignity,
Freedom, Democracy, Equality, Rule of Law and respect for
Human Rights.
Building synergies between countries and people, based
on common values, is the best way for ensuring a peaceful
and prosperous future for all.
47
48. 48
A WINDOW
TO THE WORLD
In 2015, 167 participants
from 68 countries and
international organisations
(African Union and League
of Arab States) have been
invited to take part
in the European Union
Visitors Programme.
52. EUVP
European Parliament
Directorate-General
for Communication
European Commission
Service for Foreign Policy
Instruments
europarl.europa.eu/euvp
(EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT)
europa.eu/euvp
(EUROPEAN COMMISSION)
EEAS Building – LOI, 2nd floor –
Office 322
Rond-Point Schuman, 9A
B-1046 Brussels
S +32(0) 2 29 65334
+32(0) 2 29 95209
@ euvp@ep.europa.eu
euvp@ec.europa.eu
Since its joint creation
in 1974 by the European
Parliament and the European
Commission, the EUVP
continues to offer decision
makers and opinion moulders
from Third Countries the
possibility to acquire an
in-depth knowledge of the
European Union.
Conceived as a study visit to
the European institutions, the
EUVP provides full access
to all EU departments
through the form of
individually‑tailored
programmes.
The EUVP contributes to
sharing common EU values
through strengthening
long-term bilateral relations
between the EU and Third
Countries, hence building
bridges between people.
