"For these young people and their teachers, the journey to Rwanda is a unique opportunity to verify the situation of the country in the field, to get in touch with Rwandese people the same age, and to better understand the action of the Commission in the development sector". During his four-day journey, until 21 April, Louis Michel, member of the Barroso Executive, is accompanied in the African country by 26 young people from the Union, whose age ranges from 16 to 18, to let the people know the EU action in depth, in the sectors of cooperation and human aid. "As soon as they are back – said Michel, they will act as real multiplying agents, sharing their own experiences, their ways of understanding such complex reality, solidarity and the added value of Europe in the world". The involved boys are the winners of the "Development and Youth Prize" awarded by the European Union in 2006. "Development is not a matter of experts, non-governmental organizations or institutions only, pointed out Michel -. It concerns all responsible citizens. Solidarity is actually one of the fundamental values for community construction, within European borders and outside them". 751 students had taken part in the competition by sending their written essays focussing on European cooperation in Africa.
