We are pleased to invite you to the EPAS Sakharov Event on Wednesday 18 December at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
The event will gather EPAS teachers and students from across the EU and the UK to explore topics such as human rights, European institutions, youth engagement, and disinformation. Attendees will have the chance to witness the Sakharov Prize award ceremony in the European Parliament chamber and meet the laureates and other human rights activists. There will also be a seminar for students on the European Parliament and one for teachers on learning resources. A detailed programme will be shared soon.
We would like to invite 1 teacher and 4 students from our EPAS UK network. Please express your interest by completing the short survey at this link by 21 October 2024.
Comment Section (Last point on the survey)
- We are in negotiations to have two teachers accompany the group from the UK. If your school policy requires two teachers for any school group trips, please confirm this in your response.
- Recommended age of participants: 14+
- Please note that the school is responsible for arranging insurance for the group.
Our Ambassador School team in our office will select a school, which will need to register all participants, including passport details, by 31 October 2024. Please choose students who have not previously participated in EPAS seminars, who are inclined towards Human Rights actions, and who actively engage in related topics. Closer to the event, we will provide information on the European Parliament’s Human Rights activities, details about the nominees, and other relevant materials.
Date
The event will take place on Wednesday 18 December in Strasbourg, from 8.30 am to 6 pm. Participants are expected to arrive on Tuesday 17 December and depart on Thursday 19 December.
Travel and Accommodation
The European Parliament will cover travel and accommodation costs, including breakfast at the hotel and lunch on the 18th. No other costs or meals will be covered by the Parliament. The travel agency, Carlson Wagonlit, will contact participants directly with travel proposals. Hotel allocation details will be provided at a later date. Please note that students may be required to share rooms with students from other schools.
About the Sakharov Prize
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, awarded by the European Parliament, honours individuals and organizations who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. Named after Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, the prize has been awarded annually since 1988 to activists fighting for justice, democracy, and human dignity. Sakharov’s courage in defending freedom of thought and his opposition to government oppression inspired the creation of this award. More details can be found on the European Parliament’s official website.
As for British recipients, one notable winner was Malala Yousafzai in 2013. Although Malala is of Pakistani origin, she resides in the UK and was recognized for her advocacy of girls’ education after surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban. Another laureate with a UK connection is the Joint UK-US group “Women of Belarus” (2020), recognized for their fight against the Belarusian regime, with some activists based in the UK.
We look forward to hearing from you.