Over 120 people were present to listen to the remarks made by Daniel Cohn-Bendit, invited to reflect on Franco-German cooperation on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Élysée Treaty being signed.

The event was organised as a collaboration between the three Franco-German Societies (DFG) in Baden-Baden, Freiburg and Colmar, supported by the City of Baden-Baden and the Honorary Consul. It provided the opportunity to highlight the importance to Europe of Franco-German collaboration. The former MEP drew from personal experience, pointing out that the Élysée Treaty being signed was an ‘important act’, not so much because of the agreements reached therein, but above all because of its acceptance by the population. ‘We have learnt to appreciate one another,’ he emphatically repeated.

In the discussions that followed, the still noticeable deficits in the collaboration between both countries were addressed, but also the rôle these have to play in the aftermath of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Waning language skills on either side of the Rhine were also lamented by the numerous participants in attendance.

The celebration, supported by the Honorary Consul, was part of a series of events on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Élysée Treaty.

Further information:
https://www.dfg-baden-baden.de/

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The Mack family has continued with its commitment to Franco-German friendship, supporting the creation of a bilingual learning kit on the topic of World War I for primary and secondary school pupils.

New learning materials for 8- to 14-year-olds, provided by the Committee for the National Memorial at Hartmannswillerskopf (CMNHWK), could be launched thanks to the Mack family’s social engagement and Europa-Park sponsorship.

This interactive ‘toy chest’, which helps explore the history of the First World War, has been conceived as a commemorative initiative to ‘address the war and remember all the realities of this crisis, to ‘weather conflict’ and to celebrate ‘Franco-German friendship’, as Jean Klinkert, CEO of the CMNHWK, pointed out, accopanied by Olivier Faron, Rector of the Académie de Strasbourg. The fully equipped case is available in four forms, which are kindly made available to school classes in Germany and Alsace.

Further information:
https://www.memorial-hwk.eu/fr/actualites/60-ans-traite-elysee-54

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The Youth Council of the City of Strasbourg, bringing together 75 school pupils aged between 11 and 14 (38 girls and 37 boys), was officially received by Jeanne Barseghian, the Mayor of Strasbourg. After an initial training and integration at the European Youth Centre (CEJ) in Strasbourg, during which the elected young people familiarised themselves with how this new entity functioned, they determined their priorities as to their actions in the coming months at Europa-Park. At the close of session, the young people had access to the whole theme park, alongside youth councillors to have previously served, free of charge.

Michael Mack stressed the commitment of all these young people to making their projects a reality.

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The committee of the Hartmannswillerkopf National Monument, led by Jean Klinkert and Col. Laurent Luisetti, Commander of the 152nd Infantry Regiment, organised civilian and military thanksgiving services for the Armistice in the First World War, also attended by Louis Laugier, Prefect of the Haut-Rhin département, MPs of the 2nd and 4th constituencies of the Haut-Rhin, Hubert Ott and Raphaël Schellenberger, as well as the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Jutta Gisela Frasch, as well as numerous legislators from the region.

Michael Mack was also invited to pay tribute to the fighters of the First World War, thus laying another modest remembrance stone to consolidate Franco-German friendship.

Further information:
https://www.memorial-hwk.eu/

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The voluntary, nationwide association of honorary and fully-fledged consuls of all states sending them to Germany, the German Consular Corps Association (CCD), today has more than 220 members who join for a large meeting annually. On the initiative of Michael Mack, himself a member, this meeting took place in Europa-Park. During the consular soirée at the ‘Bistro Tomi Ungerer’ in the France themed area, participants heard an opening address from district council chair Frank Scherer, who furnished information about its ongoing cross-border challenges, as well as an after-dinner speech from businessman Dr. Martin Herrenknecht, the world leader in tunnel construction equipment.

At this 26th General Meeting, a new chair was also elected: 66-year-old Stuttgart-born lawyer Prof. Dr. Roderich C. Thümmel, Honorary Consul to the Republic of Iceland in Baden Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, has succeeded Prof. Dr. Wolfram Scharff at the helm of the CCD.

Further information:
http://www.konsularkorpsdeutschland.de/2022/07/07/jahrestreffen-2022-im-badischen-rust-30-september-2-oktober

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Invited by the Honorary Consul and the Mack family, over 100 guests had come to celebrate Alsace and experience a day of colourful entertainment in the style and environment typical of the neighbouring border region.

For Michael Mack, ‘For a very long time, Alsace has had a special place at Europa-Park. The Franco-Alsatian themed area is a symbol of Franco-German friendship, which is more important than ever today’. Jean Rottner, President of the Grand-Est region, added: ‘At present, people are not only talking “transfrontalier” (cross-border), but “transamitié” (mutual friendship across borders)’. Given that the Park continues to employ over 1,000 workers from over the border, Nathalie Kaltenbach-Ernst, CEO of Alsace Destination Tourisme (ADT) stressed: ‘Europa-Park is an important tourist and economic partner to Alsace. The Park also contributes to making our region a brilliant holiday destination and we are proud of having such a remarkable place in the neighbourhood, with it having just been voted the world’s best theme park for the eighth time’.

Around 350 members of various folklore groups and orchestras travelled from the region, from both north and south, delighting guests with many colourful and symbolic performances. Also amongst the visitors was newly chosen Miss Alsace for 2022, Camille Sedira, a worthy representative of her homeland.

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The Miss France beauty contest brings nearly 8 million viewers round their television screens each year and, since its founding, it has been an important event on the French cultural landscape. For the first time, Michael Mack was a member of the 11-strong jury choosing Miss Alsace 2022, which took place in front of 5000 spectators, with Camilla Sedira being declared winner.

The Honorary Consulate made the presence of Domitila Barros, winner of Miss Germany 2022, possible at this event, a beautiful symbol of Franco-German friendship. Future meetings between French and German contenders for the crown are in the pipeline, with this possibly being held at Europa-Park.

Further information:
https://miss-alsace.com

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15 visitors met with the new Minister and presented him with their concerns as to the topic of economic convergence between France and Germany. During discussions, promising starting points for strengthened Franco-German cooperation were demonstrated.

The Southern Upper Rhine Chamber of Commerce, France’s foreign trade advisors in the Baden-Wurttemberg region, Business France in Deutschland, representatives of the French Embassy in Berlin, the Franco-German Business Club of Baden-Wurttemberg and several business leaders from the border region used the opportunity to exchange ideas with the Minister Delegate to Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

The meeting also offered the opportunity to welcome Mr Gaël de Maisonneuve, the new French Honorary Consul in Stuttgart.

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The French Honorary Consulate of Freiburg-Tübingen took an active part in organising and conducting the presidential elections for French residents in Germany who had been called upon to elect their deputy for the 7^th constituency of the French expatriate. This includes 16 countries in Central Europe and the Balkans, with Germany in first place.

For the first time, voters were able to vote online (in addition to voting at the ballot box, by proxy and by postal vote).

Further information:
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/resultats_leg_t2_-_circo_7_cle429ba9.pdf

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As part of the presentation of key issues for the French EU Council Presidency, President Emmanuel Macron launched the idea of ​​a ‘European Citizens’ Service’, which should enable every European citizen under the age of 25 to take part in a university or teaching exchange, an internship or a club activity on a voluntary basis for up to six months in another member state of the European Union.

Founded in 2018 and based in Metz, the ‘Collectif pour un Service Civique Européen’ (CSCE) unites around 50 young people from a dozen nationalities under the statutes of French association law. It advocates for the general introduction of a voluntary service for all young Europeans, allowing them to gain experience in another member state. The collective wishes to respond to the major societal challenges of the EU, particularly issues regarding climate and the environment, while laying the foundations for active European citizenship.
The European Civic Service Festival brought together around 60 young people from all over Europe for five days in Strasbourg. The final event took place in the presence of representatives from institutions and youth organisations at Europa-Park.

Further information:
www.service-civique-europeen.com

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