There are many places in which young people engage with the EU in the tube: at the front door, in the back or in the classroom. This does not mean, however, that you choose.

By Judith Brouwers, Nathalie Metzel, Gabriel Rinaldi and Catherine Horban

A currency, travel without a passport, and Study abroad – many of the young Munich-based knowledge of the benefits of the European Union. In order to reach even more young people and to inspire for the EU, there is in Munich a number of initiatives: exchange programs for apprentices about politicians, discuss with students to committed candidate for the European elections, the ringing of the house doors, and for the choice to advertise.

Erasmus bakery

In the classroom it smells like powdered sugar and Marzipan. Nearly 20 apprentices in the Baker’s toques and white aprons stand at stainless steel tables. On the first decorate Lisa Springer and Cornelia Revellé a cake, they form Chicks a yellow Marzipan. In addition, Lea Scherer, and Matilda Lammerz work on colorful flowers. The four trainees today for the first Time and speak English with each other, because Lammerz and Revellé come from Sweden. The young women take part in Erasmus Plus part. With the program, not only students, but also people in vocational education and training. Scherer was not familiar with the program prior to their training: “I was totally surprised that there is such a thing at my school.”

cakes to decorate, The trainees Lisa Springer and Cornelia Revellé. The German and the Swede to take part in the Erasmus programme Plus part.

(photo by Steffen Leiprecht)

tube The back, of the trainees are located in the urban vocational school for the bakery and Confectionery trades. The Swedes today is the first day of school. You will spend the next three weeks in Munich patisseries. Today, they decorate with their German colleagues pies with Easter motifs. Lammerz, 18 years old and from Gothenburg, from the German bread: “Because we have other varieties in Sweden.” Scherer will travel in may to Helsinki and hopes to improve her English. An adventure for you, because it has not yet flown.

The interest of trainees in the Erasmus Plus has increased in the past few years. 2018 450 Munich, trainees went to other European countries, says a City school superintendent Beatrix Zurek. Also the companies are increasingly interested in their apprentices for some time away. To be able to participate in the program, you have to take a lot of trainees but holiday. Zurek regrets that: “The companies underestimate the knowledge of the trainees from abroad.”

For the EU’s Erasmus Plus is a figurehead. But participation does not automatically lead to a stronger sense of Europe: The Swedish Lammerz, for example, has heard of the European elections, still nothing. Lisa Springer, which is in may to Gothenburg, is still not sure whether you will select: “Too much Stress at the Moment. I have the head full with other things.” Monika Hinterseer, the coordinates at the vocational school, the Erasmus program, it is not surprising that: “Our students are more likely to be apolitical. With the program, you will be aware of what is in the EU, everything is possible: freedom to Work, travel, without Visa request. A political consciousness developed only later.”

in the door

“that motivate you, that ye ought to Select and show that you’re there,” says Korbinian rueger. He stands with seven comrades-in-arms on red square, handing out fliers and last tips. The conversations should be kept short and smile. The 30-Year-old grew up in Planegg, a PhD at the University of Oxford in philosophy, and reform a goal for Europe. For this, he would like to move for the SPD in the European Parliament. He has organized the Munich Jusos a door-to-door election campaign, many politicians of almost all parties.

The choice of fighters to form two groups, one to go West to the settlement of the Twelve apostles. Identical Cooperative Apartments. “SPD-Milieu,” says Rüger and bends in the Lorsch road. He pulls his campaign Manager. Kevin Meyer is 19 years old, and sorted just in his Flyer, as Rüger already ringing. “Hello, we are from the SPD, and would like to speak with you about Europe,” he says. The repeat Rüger today a few times. The door is opened, Rüger and Meyer rise to the fourth floor. Once at the top, down to ring the bell to ground level. Every Time you have to wait a few seconds and look smiling at the peephole.

Twelve doors later, the smell of baking dish to the Vegetables. A blonde woman on makes. You would like to talk about Europe, cooking but just. “We want to take any chances,” says Rüger. He tried it at the neighbors. A young man with a mustache, around mid 20, on the door, next to him a young woman appears. “Can I choose you as my second voice?”, he asks. Rügers eyes light up: “You choose in the European elections only a list.” He is in his Element. Since 2012, he is in the SPD, in 2013, he co-founded the think tank “Project for Democratic Union”. In upper Bavaria, he stands on the second place on the list, nationwide, he is number 66. Not a particularly good starting position, but Europe to be the Heart.

in the Meantime, it is getting dark. In the fifth house, a young guy stands in the door. “I have nothing to do with politics, I’m only 18,” he says shyly. “But you should, it’s about our future,” says Rüger and hands him a Flyer. “Thank you, I will read it to me.” In the last house Meyer is one of the Flyer and throws boxes a few copies in the letter. After two hours and 56 doors Rüger notes: interest in Europe in General and in particular in the elderly, the young are interested in specific topics. Rüger is not only enthusiastic Europeans. The EU is for him, if people grow through personal encounters. Also in conversations at the door.

happen in the Middle of the world

separation of Waste, the basic law and the avoidance of fun fights. These posters hang in the entrance of the middle school at the Schleißheimer Straße, but now it comes to Europe. Nearly 40 students, a ninth and a tenth grade class, sitting in the five rows of chairs in the room. Some keep pieces of paper in Hand, wrote down questions. Always

discussed The member of Parliament, Margarete Bause (Green) with the youth of the middle school at the Schleißheimer Straße in Munich.

(photo by Steffen Leiprecht)

“What is the EU?”, Margarete Bause begins. Big questions has chosen the Bundestag Deputy of the Green. Since 2005, politicians go in the whole of Germany at the EU project day every year out of the country days, the Bundestag and the European Parliament in schools. It comes to the dialogue: in the Beginning, Bauses sweeps series of views of the chair until the Arm lifts. How is your everyday work in the Bundestag will be asked the politician of Selin. The 16-Year-old will keep your question paper in your hands. The language is formal, the sentence to read – but the ice is broken.

Then a freshman Yassin was asked about the handling of the EU with human rights violations in China. The 16-year-old Lyonel asks: “Orban has hung posters against Juncker. What is your opinion on this?” Bause answers that could not be a member of a community, and at the same time against this – because it was: “There are rules. This is like in school.” That among policy-makers, similar rules prevail as in the operation of the school, is the subject of dispute culture. With respect to the opinion of the other, one could always argue, sometimes higher authorities to interfere.

So clearly, the situation is not in the Brexit-Chaos. Selin offers a possible second Referendum in conversation, this is an issue about the Sophomore. Bause talk of the “Norway solution” and “Soft Brexit”, the technical terms for complicated issues, because not all students can follow. Whether the Green of brands get clothes sponsored as the celebrities, want to know a Boy in the fourth row. The initial restraint is gone, Bauses content is now theme – you can earn 9000 euros and some Change. “Awesome! I’m a politician,” whispers a student.

“What Germany without foreigners?” – at a school where more than 90 per cent of the student migrants, will have to sit the answer to this question. The white Bause: “If all the people would have to leave without a German passport, the country, how many would still be sitting in this room?” A dozen hands lifted. Nationalism is for these students is not an Option, as all agree.

The Text was developed in cooperation with the school of journalism ifp.