Funded by UK-German Connection and run in cooperation with NICILT, this regional youth seminar will take place in the dynamic city of Leipzig from 7-10 November 2019.

Bringing around 50 young people from Northern Ireland and Germany together, the event will give previous and new participants the chance to build on last year's discussions and further explore themes surrounding peace beyond borders, such as:

• growing up in a post-conflict society
• the role of intercultural youth relations in peace-building
• creating a shared future

With Leipzig as a backdrop, this year’s seminar will offer the young people the chance to find out more about the peaceful revolution, which led to the Fall of the Berlin Wall. As well as time spent exploring Leipzig, the group will also spend a day in Berlin, to give participants the opportunity to delve into the past, present and future significance of the two cities.

Alongside thematic discussions, the programme will include:

• trips to historical sites of interest in Leipzig and Berlin
• workshops with input from local experts
• experiencing some of the Peaceful Revolution anniversary celebrations

All participants will stay at a youth hostel in Leipzig, together with experienced, qualified and vetted group leaders from UK-German Connection and NICILT.

Participants from Northern Ireland will make their own way to the meeting point in Belfast on 7 November. The group will then travel together by coach from Belfast to Dublin airport, accompanied by group leaders from UK-German Connection / NICILT. The participants and group leaders will then fly together from Dublin to Berlin, from where a coach will take the group from Berlin to Leipzig.

German Participants will join the group from Northern Ireland at the venue on the evening of 7 November.

The seminar will finish in the afternoon of 10 November with the final day being spent in Berlin. The UK group will fly back together from Berlin to Dublin on the evening of 10 November and a coach will then take the group back from Dublin airport to Belfast.

Please note:

We will be closely monitoring developments regarding travel in the run-up to the event, and will keep participants updated with any information which would impact travel arrangements.

All participants need to have passports valid for at least 6 months from the time of travel, as well as a valid EHIC card.

UK-German Connection will cover all event-related costs, including travel and full board and lodging. Participants from Northern Ireland will make their own way to the meeting point in Belfast. Any travel costs incurred will be reimbursed after the seminar, according to UK-German Connection travel guidelines. Participants are expected to cover incidental costs (including snacks while traveling, pocket money for excursions etc.)

A small fee of £25 will be requested from selected participants to confirm their participation.

For the duration of the seminar, participants will undertake activities as a group under the supervision of vetted group leaders. Further information about our health and safety policy can be found under programme safety and seminars.

If you have any questions about the seminar, please send an email to youthseminar@ukgermanconnection.org or call us on: +44 (0)20 7824 1570