PROJECTS & PARTNERS
RESPONSIBLE PARTY
by:Leo Smith
On 21st June 2010 in Brussels, ESN International signed a Partnership Agreement with Pernod Ricard to create the Responsible Party campaign, a pan-European campaign across Europe to order to raise awareness among students about responsible drinking and contribute to the reduction of excessive and inappropriate consumption of alcohol among youth. The focus of the project is on helping sections promote responsible behavior, drinking and partying to exchange students as they are somewhat known for certain behavior. We have been gradually implementing this project across the network and now we want to encourage more of you to start participating to make it truly pan-European. Hopefully this article will inform and inspire you to start organising Responsible Parties in your city! Across the network there have already been over 30 parties organised. They have happened in 14 ESN countries including: Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Norway, Finland, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain and Poland. Based upon the information and statistics gathered from the parties, the campaign has directly reached 20,000 students across. Of course, we are more ambitious and the idea is to reach 60,000 per year, but nonetheless it is a promising start for the campaign.
NATION2NATION IS A RESPONSIBLE PARTY!
by:Patrik Polonec
Breaking down the barriers, bringing the world together – that is the motto of ESN VSE Prague. And one of their events which best combines with this motto is the Nation2nation party. Each week of the semester there is a party dedicated to different nation, offering not only typical welcome drinks of the respective nations, but also a country presentation prepared by the incoming students. Since the last semester, ESN VSE Prague started to participate in the Responsible party project and on Tuesday 26th of April, we could enjoy the second Nation2nation Responsible party. The Nation2nation parties are always held in the best Prague clubs and for the Responsible party, the Nation2nation team lead by Bohumil „Bob“ Dvorak chose an exquisite place – Venue club, situated in a real church – St. Michael´s church, just few metres from Prague´s Old Town Square. An enchanting interior, fine music, perfect atmosphere and, of course enthusiastic members of Responsible party staff impossible to overlook (including the PR, Treasurer and NR of the current National Board). Those were the basic ingredients of the event which wanted to show that it is posible to party and have fun responsibly, „an idea we totally share“ as Bob mentioned in the name of whole ESN VSE Prague. The topic of the party was Balkan Sail party and dresscode – light blue and white colours – matched perfectly with the outfit of the Responsible party volunteers staff. They spent a big part of the party in conversations with the guests about partying responsibly and after the night, the guests could take home a small gift, such as Responsible party bracelets, breath testers or condoms, the gifts that will, amongst other, remember to all the participants, that there is the webpage www.responsible-party.com/ , where all the visitors can find not only interesting information about alcohol and how it affects our body, but also several good tips about how to organise an event, to calculate the budget and enjoy with the party already running. Just a few clicks to find out how to party responsibly. In Prague, we already know it. And you? Will you join us during the next Nation2nation party?
Why your section should get involved? • • • • • •
Develop a positive public image Improve relations with your university, International Office and Students’ Union Offer more services to exchange students Consider the welfare of exchange students You will receive support and guidance from ESN and Pernod Ricard There is no extra work for you (just incorporate the concept into existing parties)
What do you get from Resp Party? The main aim of the campaign is to support the sections in looking after the welfare of their exchange and international students. Therefore, we have developed a number of tools which should make organising Responsible Party easier and more effective, they are: • • • •
Official Documentation- a press kit, sample of partnership agreement, order forms, evaluation grids and guidelines for the use of the website Website- www.responsible-party.com with information about alcohol and tips to organise a responsible party A communication campaign- Posters, leaflets and other PR material with a Responsible Party mascot which your section can use to promote the Responsible Party theme. Responsible Party materials- Gadgets and PR material including: t-shirts, bags, baseball caps, stress balls, condoms, breathalyzers etc.
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