Solidarity Cycling Tour

The Solidarité Committee is giving birth to THEEE event you have been waiting for the entire stage!!

Yes, indeed, you guessed right, …it's the 3-city-cycling tour!

Solidarité’s biggest fundraiser is a unique way to spend the last weekend of the stage with the special friends you have made in the past 5 months.

In a nutshell the plan is;

• Friday 22^{nd July}, start cycling from Brussels around 4pm,
• ^{Arrive in Leuven on Friday evening Enjoy dinner and a well deserved drink in Leuven,}
• ^{Saturday 23rd, after a little tour of lovely Leuven, start cycling to Antwerp in the afternoon,}
• ^{Saturday evening arrive in Antwerp and for those still standing on their legs; PARTYYYY a la Antwerpen!!}
• ^{Sunday 24th, after a gentle visit of Antwerp, start cycling back to Brussels in the afternoon,}

<sup>What you need to do to participate:

The cost you need to cover is that of the hostel for two nights (approx 18€/night) and of the bikes (approx 9€/day). The exact cost depends on the number of people participating so please respond asap if you are interested (last year’s stagiaires also paid for their accommodation and bikes)

To participate we ask you to fundraise a minimum of 100€. Last years’ stagiaires found this very easy. They simply sent an email to their unit explaining the cause of the cycling tour and most stagiaires fundraised between 100€ to 200€.

ETW will send an email to your adviser to allow you to leave early on Friday 22nd, so you don't need to count this as time off.

To register or ask questions, please contact Lennon Deirdre</sup>

^{By fundraising for the cycle tour, you are contributing to our collective efforts of fundraising for the installation of a water-pump in Mangily, Madagascar. The water pump run by solar energy will improve the hygienic conditions of the staff and patients of a community health centre by facilitating their access to clean and safe water. This project has been selected by Europe Third World, a non-profit association founded by staff members of the EU.}

REGISTRATION CLOSES 7th JULY

  

Please note that the Cycling Tour is also open for officials if they are willing to fundraise the 100-200 euros! If you do not feel comfortable cycling the 3 day trip but you would like to take your share, please support one of the cyclers with a donation! The profit of the event will go entirely to the fund for the water pump project in Mangily, Madagascar!



Human Rights Forum: The Situation of the Roma in Europe

On Wednesday, June 15^th, the Solidarity Committee held its first Human Rights Forum, on the situation of the Roma in Europe and the recently adopted EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies. 

First, Matthias Verhelst, Strategic Advocacy Officer at the European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network (ERGO) gave an overview of the situation of the Roma in Europe, the work of the ERGO network and ERGO’s view on the new EU Framework. 

Next, Jana Balazova, Policy Officer on Non Discrimination Policies and Roma Coordination, at DG Justice presented the perspective of the Commission and explained what strategies the EU is using to increase inclusion of the Roma. The two presentations were followed by a lively discussion with the audience on what ‘the Roma’ want, what strategies (do not) work and the strengths and weaknesses of the EU framework. 

An interesting evening! Donations made during the evening will go to the Europe Third World water pump project in Madagascar.

The Situation of the Roma in Europe - Human Rights Forum by the Solidarite Committee

Human Rights Forum

by the Solidarity Subcommittee

  The situation of the Roma

 in Europe





Wednesday 15 June 2011, 18h00 – 19h30 at the MADOU Auditorium

Discussion and debate of the minority issue among representatives of the ERGO Network, the European Commission and the Council of the EU

Speakers

Matthias Verhelst, Strategic Advocacy Officer at the European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network (ERGO Network)

Márton Hajdú, Spokesperson for the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU

Jana Balazova, Policy Officer on Non discrimination policies and Roma coordination, DG Justice, European Commission

No registration for EC Staff, Non EC Staff please register until June 13, 12.00 under this link

 

The Solidarity Committee carries out volunteer and humanitarian work since 1998 and this year they volunteered to raise funds for a project in Madagascar to buy and install a water-pump run by solar energy for a local clinic.

Donation boxes will be placed at the entrance.