After months of preparation, planning and organization, "Ottopia - The European Children's City Magdeburg" started today. Organized and carried out by the European Youth Education Centre Magdeburg (EJBM), more than 110 young people will meet as part of the large-scale educational project.
Together with the young people from the region, the volunteers from other European countries, who support the EJBM team as part of the EU "European Solidarity Corps" program, form the largest international youth exchange of the year in Saxony-Anhalt. The young people work as volunteer supervisors and helpers on the grounds of the Children's Town. All participants were comprehensively trained and prepared for their tasks in advance by the EJBM educational team.
The European Children's City Magdeburg places a special focus on international exchange. This applies not only to the young supervisors, but also to the participating children aged 8 to 14. Over 60 children from Saxony-Anhalt's partner regions in France and Poland further enrich the project and enable intercultural experiences at and between all age groups.The European Children's City Magdeburg is supported by numerous organizations, companies, private individuals and associations, who contribute to the success of the project with donations, sponsoring and active help. Christian Scharf, the director of the educational center, emphasizes: "The Children's City is not only a matter close to the hearts of the entire EJBM team, it is also a project that we are particularly proud of from an educational point of view: The international exchange that takes place here every day between the children and young people, the educational experiences that are made possible as a result, are as numerous as they are diverse. Not only our volunteers, but also the many children will gain experience here, discover competencies and experience an exchange that will leave a lasting impression on them."
