Robert Schuman European Centre - CERS
Robert Schuman European Centre - CERS
The Robert Schuman European Centre (CERS) is a hosting, sending and coordinating organisation accredited by the European Union for the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). Every year, the CERS hosts a European volunteer long term (11 months) to integrate him/her in the European activities for youth.
Since 2014, the CERS has been an ESC sending organisation. Learn all about this programme by checking out our présentation.
What is the European Solidarity Corps (ESC)?European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is a European Union policy that promotes youth mobility in Europe. ESC is one of the possibilities for young people to participate actively in the construction of Europe. ESC participants gain intercultural experience; they rely on a transnational partnership between youth and volunteer organisations. |
Testimony (Agata, Polish ESC at the CERS in 2018-2019):“My name is Agata Gromada and I’m from Lublin, Poland. I started my voluntary service as a part of European Solidarity Corps (ESC) in September 2018 and I will be here until the end of summer 2019. I have to admit that it already has been quite an experience!From the very beginning, I was learning new things and getting to know different techniques of non-formal education. During my first month, I observed the activities and familiarised myself with CERS’ team and my responsibilities. Since October, I’ve become a fully active member of CERS and I quickly gained the autonomy: I organise events and participate in the animations, for young people between 6 and 30, about European Union – its history and future. The animations are a little bit unusual because instead of long and boring presentations we use some fun and active ways of learning, mainly through games. This form of activities is more appealing to the participants and they have better understanding of the subject. |
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| The animations can be conducted in 3 languages (French, English and German) so I’ve already had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world – e.g. China and the USA. It really opened my eyes because everyone is completely different and has different point of view. Together we exchange our experiences, we learn from each other and we practice foreign languages. It is an extremely enriching experience! During the animations and workshops which I’m responsible for, I acquired new skills e.g. good organisation, some IT skills, confidence and public speaking. I learned also to be more open-minded and to stop having prejudices. I think that the intercultural projects like this one are a huge opportunity for us to better understand each other and to live together in peace. |
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Thanks to European Solidarity Corps (ESC) I can discover French culture and learn the language. Every week I have French lessons and I feel that my French is improving every day so I’m thinking about some kind of confirmation of my French knowledge with an official certificate at the end of my stay. I also travel a lot discovering the region and its delicious dishes (des moules-frites, de la galette des rois, des crêpes…). At the same time I have the chance to promote my own country and culture. That’s why as my personal project, I chose to organise a special evening concerning my homeland to familiarise the locals with Polish culture and traditions. In December we organised ‘Café européen’ about Polish Christmas traditions and it was a huge success. To sum up, the voluntary service at Centre Européenne Robert Schuman in Scy-Chazelles is perfect for those who want to live an incredible intercultural adventure. I do recommend it!”
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My workplace:
The CERS' offices are located at 2 rue Robert Schuman, a few meters from the Robert Schuman House in Scy-Chazelles.
By appointment only or during information meetings organized by the CERS
· Contact the person in charge of long-term volunteering at the CERS: Julie Gratz. The CERS is responsible for the preparation of the volunteer and his/her assistance before, during and after the ESC activity. A minimum of 6 months is required between first contact and actual departure.
· Choose your ESC project on the official database: http://europa.eu/youth/evs_database
· In the host country, the host organisation provides the volunteer with appropriate personal and linguistic assistance and assigns him/her a tutor. It is to the tutor that the volunteer will have to address any problems.
· Create an ESC file that includes: the ESC registration form + a CV in English + a letter of motivation in English.
The person in charge of long-term volunteering is there to guide you in the preparation of this file, if you have difficulties in English or otherwise.
Documents to download:
ESC registration form at the CERS
Here is an interview with Simon, European volunteer who spent 2 months in Poland. He was responsible mainly for animation of cultural and linguistique workshops with children and teenagers at Fundacja Centrum AktywnoÅci Twórczej. During his stay, he lived with other volunteers from 10 different countries. Due to that, he had the opportunity to discover new cultures, to learn and practice new languages and discover traditional polish dishes like pierogi :)
https://www.facebook.com/CentreRobertSchuman/videos/433864830538771/
Have a nice trip!
