by Katharine Lake Berz | 18 Sep 2024 | Culture, Decoder Replay, Europe, Politics
With an influx of migrants over the past decade, Germany is reconciling to rapidly changing demographics. The idea of German identity is evolving. In a refuge for asylum seekers in Eichsfeld, Germany, a father hugs his son who has just returned from school, 24 April...
by Helen Womack | 12 Sep 2024 | Europe, History, Politics, Ukraine
Hungary is not known for welcoming immigrants. But in a country where the language is difficult to master, many immigrants might simply choose to move on. A man asks a woman for help in Ukrainian and she tells him to please speak Hungarian. This article was produced...
by News Decoder | 2 Sep 2024 | Culture, Europe, Podcasts, WePod
Before the noise of the new school year begins, take a deep breath, put on those earbuds and tune into something focused and enlightening. A young woman listens to a podcast as, in the background, people produce podcasts. (Illustration by News Decoder) Before the...
by Cathal O'Luanaigh | 22 Aug 2024 | Culture, Ireland, Music
A giant crowd of people playing tin whistles — small flutes — in the Irish town of Wexford showed the world how music can connect people and communities and be, well, good craic. 2,516 tin whistle players gather to set a Guinness World Record at Chadwicks Wexford Park...
by Alexander Nicoll | 5 Aug 2024 | Great Britain, Politics, Wh-Y Vote
With its sixth prime minister in eight years, will the British finally be able to stop faffing around and get on with it? Larry the cat, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office at 10 Downing Street, poses for the cameras, 13 March 2024. Larry has chased mice there through...
by John West | 29 Jul 2024 | Decoders, Europe, History, Politics, Russia, Ukraine, United States
The mutual defence pact started with 12 nations and now has 32 members. But does bigger mean safer? Military officers attend a ceremony in Albania for the inauguration of an international tactical air base, NATO’s first in the Western Balkan region, 4 March 2024. (AP...
by Thea Lacey | 2 Jul 2024 | Great Britain, Politics, Wh-Y Vote
In the run-up to the UK elections, young people in Britain struggle to know where to turn. Their voice counts but does anyone listen? Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak delivers a speech as part of a Conservative campaign...
by News Decoder | 27 Jun 2024 | France, Politics, Wh-Y Vote
We asked two correspondents based in France why the high-stakes national election matters. Here’s what they said. From the left, French far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally) party President Jordan Bardella, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and Manuel...
by Leia Neilson | 11 Jun 2024 | Contest winners, Europe, History, Politics, School Year Abroad, Student Posts, Youth Voices
When you think of France, you might picture sitting at a café. But taking to the streets to air grievances is as French as Beaujolais. Protesters in Rennes, France march over pension reforms and more, April 2023. (Photo credit: Clover Choi) This article, by high...
by News Decoder | 7 Jun 2024 | Educators' Catalog, Europe, Government, Politics, Wh-Y Vote
We asked our reporters in five countries to talk to young people about the European elections. They know their voice matters. A European ballot box against the backdrop of European Union flags. (Illustration by News Decoder) The 720-member European Parliament is the...
We asked our reporters in five countries to talk to young people about the European elections. The ensuing Wh-Y Vote? series sheds light on how young people across the European Union feel about voting in European elections. What influence do they believe the EU has on their lives? What are the issues driving them to or from polling stations? Why are young people voting or not voting?
Exercise: Students read the article and give feedback on the main issues described in each country. Then, choose to focus on one of the five countries mentioned. Use the links below the article to read the full piece on youth voting in your chosen country. In groups, summarize the main issues that were highlighted and discuss them. Now, together in your country groups, make a campaign poster mobilizing young people to vote in the European elections. Use the articles to help focus the campaign, and visit official EU websites to find more information on why young people should vote.