For Michael Stange, director of the Maison de l’Europe in Nîmes: “Europe is not an extraterrestrial, it has consequences on our daily lives”

Michael Stange: “We benefit from the dual role of Maison de l’Europe and Center Europe direct.” Midi Libre – Pierre Meuriot

Less than a week before the next European elections (June 8 and 9) Michael Stange, director of the Maison de l’Europe since 2015, details the different missions of the Nîmes association. We take stock.

The Maison de l’Europe in Nîmes was created in 1966, what is its main mission ?

Our primary desire is to inform citizens about European issues. Our objectives are concentrated in different services which are to inform, animate and enable European mobility. We are paid to inform businesses and young people on all issues relating to the European Union. We run numerous language groups to learn English, Spanish, German, Greek and many others. There are even intensive French courses from June 24 to July 26 as part of our 'Learn French in a Month' program. You should know that here we welcome 120 people per week to learn seven languages ​​in groups of 5 to 10 people. Finally, we welcome and send many young people abroad each year. We benefit from the dual role of Maison de l’Europe and Center Europe Direct, which is a network created by the European institutions to bring the European Union closer to citizens.

How does your association fit into the European network of Maisons de l’Europe ?

There are 37 Maisons de l’Europe on a national scale. In France, we have a very associative approach. We rely on the various direct Europe centers to respond to requests so that around 40% of our work is done on a European scale. Without a bad pun, I would like us to be considered as "the house of Europe".

How is the association's budget financed?

A large part comes from subsidies from the European Commission, around 60%, then comes regional co-financing (City, department, urban area) which represents 30% of our budget, and, lastly, our own revenues, up to 10%. That’s pretty much how the association’s budget works.

You stated that you found a lack of enthusiasm among the Gardois with regard to the next European elections. Why ?

In my opinion, the voting intention remains too low compared to the stakes of these elections. It is crucial that citizens understand the importance of the European elections. You should know that around 65% of the laws passed in France come from European directives. Europe is not an extraterrestrial, it has significant consequences on our daily lives. I was born in East Germany and our vote didn't count, it's important to realize how lucky we are to be able to express ourselves and have an influence on a European scale as citizens. In my opinion, there are so many issues today that there are no excuses for not taking fifteen minutes and going to the polling station this Sunday.

Would you say that Nîmes is a city oriented towards Europe?

It’s hard to say, but from my point of view, no, it’s not a European city. We can do better on many points. On the other hand, there are many actors in the city who are very European. This is particularly the case for certain establishments such as the Hemingway and Saint-Vincent de Paul high schools. I am hopeful, I have been in office for nine years and I see the progress that is being made.

European evening at the Sémaphore

This Tuesday, June 3, à 6 p.m., the Sémaphore offers a free screening of the latest film by İlker Çatak The Teachers' Room. Recently crowned of the Lux Prize, the European cinema audience prize awarded to by the European Parliament and the European Cinema Academy, the screening of the German feature film will be followed by a screening of the German feature film. debate around education in Europe.

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