MyEurope – MyStory
25.08.2018, Alpbach
European Forum Alpbach | MyEurope – MyStory
The scholarship holders of the European Forum Alpbach have a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and broaden their horizons. But do they also have the courage to leave their bubble and challenge others to a discuss about Europe outside of Alpbach?
The European Forum Alpbach and the Forum Alpbach Network together with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Austria, hosted a storytelling workshop to help young Europeans sharpen their tools for discussing European issues they are passionate about – be it climate change, working abroad, or borderless travel. On the eve of the 2019 European Parliament elections, the goal for them was to return home full of ideas and enthuse others with the European idea.
Contributors
Over 200 international scholarship holders of the European Forum Alpbach (EFA) engaged in discussions with renowned communication experts in small working groups. Alumni of an „Art of Hosting“ training facilitated the conversation between experts and participants. After the workshops, board members of the Forum Alpbach Network (the umbrella organisation of EFA alumni) encouraged scholarship holders to continue telling their stories in their home countries and to use the newly introduced platform <thistimeimvoting.eu>.
“We need to reach those people who do not have the impression that they profit from the EU. A lot of people are sceptical, feel left out from the benefits which the EU offers. To remind them how the EU shapes their possibilities in everyday life, we must tell our very own stories in an authentic way.”
Stefan Kranewitter
Stakeholder
Engagement Manager, Austrian Science Fund
“In order to make stories matter to the ones we tell them to, you need to show how people are affected. By using a human foundation to your story, you create an emotional attachment that carries the stories far longer than any logical argument.”
European Parliament
Stephen Clark Director for Liaison Offices, Directorate-General for Communication,
“Why
does the so-called ‘refugee crisis’ attract the interest of more people than the financial crisis, which affects more? What people care about is influenced by the pictures created in their heads.”
Cornelia Primosch
London Correspondent, ORF – Austrian Broadcasting Corporation
Share your story about Europe!
• Get involved and connect with others on: www.thistimeimvoting.eu
Let the world know where you have started a discourse about a topic you are passionate about and how it matters for Europe!
Register to the website to see all events in the EU taking place concerning the European Parliamentary Elections in May 2019. Publish your own events & stories! Meet people who work on European projects and get regular updates on the newest developments in your area.
• What does the EU do for you and what do you do for the EU?
If you need some concrete examples for how your country benefits from the EU, check out this website: https://what-europe-does-for-me.eu/
“When telling a story, it is important to put yourself in the shoes of your audience. You need to adapt the story and the debate to the language and context of the audience to really get your message through.”
Ryan Heath Political Editor, POLITICO
“Carefully choose the first words of your speech. One idea is to begin with a funny story to get your audience’s attention. Stay true to yourself and com-municate in a positive way to attract people to listen to you.”
Angus Robertson Public Diplomacy Consultant
“A powerful story should include a problem and present solutions to over-come it. Problem and solution should be embedded in a dramatic structure using strong images.”
Stefan Pollach
Senior Consultant, mc media consult;
Editor-in-Chief, Alpbach Media Academy
“Each and every one has the power to change something when following their passion and spreading a message for a better Europe.”
Heather Wokusch
Consultant & Cross-Cultural Communication Expert
“I realised that there is a huge job to be done to win the hearts and minds of many young people and see that ‘Europe’ is something worth struggling and working for.”
Howard Williamson Professor of European Youth Policy, University of South Wales
Contributing experts
Stephen Clark
Director for Liaison Offices, Directorate General for Communication, European Parliament, Brussels
Ryan Heath
Political Editor, POLITICO, Brussels
Stefan Kranewitter
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication, Austrian Science Fund, Vienna
Cornelia Primosch
Correspondent, ORF – Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, London
Stefan Pollach
Senior Consultant, mc media consult GmbH; Editor-in-Chief, Alpbach Media Academy, Vienna
Angus Robertson
Fmr. Deputy Leader, Scottish National Party; Public diplomacy consultant, Aberlour
Howard Williamson
Professor of European Youth Policy, University of South Wales, Pontypridd
Heather Wokusch
Consultant and founder, learning-architecture design, intercultural communication, Vienna
