IMPORTANT: All submitted recordings will be online on 9 July

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is again offering you the chance of becoming one of AER‘s Regional Reporters. This time you will not only have the chance to be heard on radio stations across Europe thanks to the radio programme “Europe and you”, which is aired on several French-speaking local radio stations in Europe and on the website.

• Who is an AER Regional Reporter?

This is a young person, aged 18 to 30 years old, active in region or involved in AER youth activities such as the Youth Regional Network, who would like to prepare several short voice-recording presentations on a topic related to youth mobility: Move on, Europe! From mobility to diversity.

• How do I choose a topic?

• How do you prepare your recording?

 Once you choose a topic you should prepare the 3-minute voice presentation as follows:

• the first sentence in your regional language, where you introduce yourself and your region

• the presentation of your topic in English or in French

In addition to your voice-recording, you can add other voices and sounds to make your report more dynamic and interesting.

Recording your voice:

To record your presentation you should have a computer and microphone (simple microphone, such as the ones used for Skype). You should use one of the free open-source programmes which are available on the internet and can be downloaded for free.

Once you install the programme, you are ready to record your voice presentation. Then save your recording in Wave or MP3 format and send it to us. It will take only a few minutes to record your report and send it to us by email!

• Tips for your recording

• Before:

1. Want to avoid mistakes while recording? Why not to write your message down before and read it out? A simple trick recommended by professionalists.

2. Retain to the maximum four points on which you wish to insist. Too many ideas may make your message too confusing.

• During:

1. When recording your text, it is important to speak directly to the microphone. Remember about some distance between your mouth and the microphone! According to specialists, 15 cm of space is a must!

2. Articulate words very carefully. Bear in mind that other young Europeans want to understand you without seeing you!

3. Take advantage of the fact that you’re not broadcasting live – there is no need to hurry while recording!  Do not speak too quickly. It is important that your ideas and your message are clear to everyone.

• After:

1. Verify before sending that the recording is in the right format and that it works well

2. Just fill in the registration form, send us a photo we can put on the “Europe and You” website and send it to AER before 20 April 2010.

3. Make sure you will send your recording before the deadline.

• European programmes boosting youth mobility

• Eurodyssée : an exchange programme between European Regions

• Erasmus : mobility programme for higher education

• Erasmus Mundus : scholarships and academic cooperation

• Eurodesk : European programmes, opportunities, youth initiatives

• European Voluntary Service : voluntary activities in a foreign country

• Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs : new European exchange programme