I cooperation with the Berlin based organization  “Bürger Europas e.V.” there was a European Day on 9 October 2015. Its topic was “Exploring Europe”. Our FG14e engineering course was on board !!

The first part of the day, a meeting with European Parliament representative Arne Lietz ( SPD), was in the focus. Thus, our students received an insight into the work of a European MP. Students were given the chance to ask questions, most of them were related to the present day refugee crisis which both Germany and Europe are confronted with. Mr. Lietz answered all questions, some of the answers would have done with fewer details, thus there was sometimes not enough space to focus on the main problems. Unfortunately, the time brackets  prevented students from asking more questions.

Later during the day, the group moved to low water sluice in Magdeburg-Rothensee, together with Mrs. Michalski   from „Bürger Europas e.V.“ and Mr. Geiseler. After a short introduction about planning, construction and financing of the sluice, all visitors were given the chance to see how the whole sluice system works, which was really impressive in its dimensions.

The whole project was financed by the EU and finished in 2013. The reason to build it was the fact that the water level of the Elbe is very often too low for ships. With the sluice, Magdeburg Port can be reached via the Mittellandkanal all year. So students had a chance to experience  a practical example of European policy in front of their own doors, their own region profiting from it tremendously. A very interesting day indeed.

We would like to thank Mr. Lietz, all involved people of the sluice itself for their presentations and Mrs. Michalsky  of  Verein Bürger Europas e.V. as well as Mrs. Höfler, Deputy Head of our school, for organizing the day.