Boundless encounters: How children and young people bring Europe – and generations – together
Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein, the main shareholder of the Vienna Insurance Group (VIG), demonstrates how international encounters can succeed with two impressive initiatives: the VIG Kids Camp and the EYFON VIG YouthDays. Both initiatives bring young people closer to the core values of the insurance group in an age-appropriate and tangible way: dialogue beyond borders, mutual understanding, tolerance, openness, respect, and solidarity.
Generations in dialogue
This year's VIG Kids Camps took place at four locations: in Vienna-Strebersdorf, in Salzburg (in St. Johann and Radstadt), and in Carinthia (in Seeboden am Millstätter See). Around 500 children from 20 countries (Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Austria, Kosovo, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia) spent two weeks of their summer holidays here. In addition to lots of games, fun and action, hikes in the mountains and on glaciers, expeditions to lakes and salt and stalactite caves, and sightseeing in Vienna, Salzburg and Klagenfurt, the programme also included visits to facilities for senior citizens. One such facility was the Kolping House ‘Gemeinsam leben’ (Living Together) in Vienna's Leopoldstadt district. The residents there were visited by children from Romania and Turkey. The children had prepared traditional dances and songs for their visit, as well as contemporary pop songs and even a ballet dance – a colourful, lively programme that brought a sparkle to the eyes of the senior citizens.
“It's nice when people from outside come to visit,” says Gottfried, who has been living at the Kolping House ‘Gemeinsam leben’ (Living Together) for three years. Sitting next to him is Johann, who adds: “We usually have events from time to time, but not in the summer – so a visit like this is especially welcome.” Both enjoyed the colourful performances and the personal conversations with the children – facilitated by interpreters, but driven by curiosity and mutual respect. After their performances, the children also handed out homemade greeting cards to the seniors.
"What does friendship mean to you?”
To be able to attend the VIG Kids Camp 2025, the children take part in a photo competition. The most creative entries are rewarded with an invitation to the Kids Camp. The theme for 2025 was ‘Friendship’. Nika (11) from Georgia says: “I took a photo of my brother for the competition. He's not here at the camp because he's still too young. But he's one of my best friends. We took a photo of the two of us with the blue sky in the background. For me, friendship means being together and sticking together.” When asked what friendship means to Deniz (11) from Turkey, he says: “That I can trust someone.” Eleven-year-old Ecrin, also from Turkey, adds: “... and that lasts forever, your whole life. That's the most important thing for me when I think about friendship.”
The high value of sustainability
A joint environmental initiative was also carried out at the VIG Kids Camp in Seeboden, Carinthia. Under expert guidance, the children planted a hedge approximately 20 metres long. The aim was to teach them the high value of environmental awareness and sustainability in a playful way at an early age.
These experiences demonstrate that the VIG Kids Camp is about more than just holiday care and adventure. It is about values, respect, and building bridges: between countries, cultures and generations. Robert Lasshofer, Chair of the Managing Board of Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein: “Children always find a way to connect – regardless of language or background. I see this for myself year in, year out at the VIG Kids Camp, which we are hosting for the 13th time this year. The camp is not only a way for us to express our appreciation for our colleagues – we also want to give their children the opportunity to experience the Group’s international diversity first hand. In the process, we also share the values that connect us as an insurance group: mutual understanding, respect, and solidarity.” Hartwig Löger, CEO of Vienna Insurance Group says: “Diversity, tolerance, and interacting with one another as peers are essential components of our insurance group's values compass. And that is precisely what we are teaching the youngest generation as part of the VIG Kids Camp. We therefore deeply support this valuable initiative by our main shareholder.”
Young voices for a strong Europe
The same applies to the EYFON VIG YouthDays at Europaburg Neumarkt in Styria. During the first week of August, young people (aged 14 to 17) from 14 countries discussed the topic of artificial intelligence (AI), exchanged opinions and learned from and with each other. Over 230 young people from 20 countries submitted applications for this year's EYFON VIG YouthDays. A jury selected the 30 most impressive and creative entries on the topic of ‘Artificial Intelligence: Too good to be true’ and invited the winners to spend a varied week at Europaburg in Neumarkt, Styria. Thirty young people from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Austria, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia impressed the jury – includig 17-year-old Michal from Poland: “My mother told me about the competition, and I knew straight away that I wanted to be a part of it! The EYFON VIG YouthDays is an amazing experience with exciting activities, contemporary topics and lots of interaction with people of my age from a range of different countries.”
New friendships and cultures
In addition to the workshops and leisure activities, the young people were particularly excited about making new friends, getting to know other cultures and improving their language skills. Ramona (16) from Romania explains: “I wouldn't want to have missed this experience! Here, I'm making new friends and collecting memories that will last a lifetime. And yes, I've already made lots of new friends here, from Romania, Georgia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Moldova, Croatia and Albania. I definitely want to stay in touch with them!”
Peter Thirring, Deputy Chair of the Managing Board of Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein: “Intercultural exchange between young people is particularly close to our heart, and the EYFON VIG YouthDays initiative provides an ideal platform for promoting cross-border dialogue. Young people are our future – and the way they engage with one another will shape tomorrow’s Europe.“