E 1: Bliesgau Hike

Excursion 1 into the area around the river Blies, named Bliesgau, provides an example for ecological sustainability. The Bliesgau is an ancient cultural landscape with large meadows of fruit-trees and historical walls of former wine-growing as well as geological interesting fossils and lime of shells. It is aimed to declare the Bliesgau a Biosphere-Reserve, i.e. a site recognized under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme which innovates and demonstrates approaches to conservation and sustainable development.

Since Kirkel is situated in the Bliesgau, the hike can start near the conference-location. This tour is pure enjoy of autumn nature and landscape; you will need good shoes and waterproof clothing.

More information about the Bliesgau (in German):
www.derbliesgau.de

E 2: Future Location Goettelborn

Excursion 2 shows a remarkable example for modernisation of energy production in Germa­ny. In Goettelborn, one of the biggest and most productive coal mines of Europe worked until 2000, when decreasing subsidies required the shutdown of this modern plant. A great indu­strial architecture remained such as the “White Giant”, the highest winding tower worldwide. Today Goettelborn is being changed into a “Future Location” where 50.000 modules are pro­ducing solar energy for 15.000 people in the world biggest photovoltaic – power station. In Goettelborn the change of energy production from fossil fuels to renewable energy resources gets visible. The buildings of the former mine are changed into the “Cité der IndustrieKultur Saar”, a new town, where knowledge, ideas and creativity will be brought to light instead of coal.

For the Goettelborn tour you urgently need good shoes, because it will be a long walk. You will be guided through the large buildings of the former mine. You will go onto the “White Giant” and have an impressing view over the photovoltaic-plant. When you have got a pair of binoculars this will be even more exciting.

More information about Goettelborn:
www.iks-saar.net

E 3: Europe unlimited - Schengen

Excursion 3 to Schengen (Luxembourg) demonstrates one of the most important stages to­wards a unified Europe. Schengen became famous on June 14th, 1985, when the Schengen Agreement was signed aboard the ship Princesse Marie-Astrid on the river Moselle at Schengen. This Agreement aimed to end border checkpoints and controls within the Schen­gen area (also known as Schengenland) and harmonise external border controls.

Our visit will begin in the “Relais Europe-Direct” of the European Union in Schengen, the se­cond biggest in Europe. Around 200 EU-mini­sters have already visited this exhibition about the Schengen Treaty and the European Union. After this we will visit the exhibition about the signing of the Schengen Agreement in the hi­storical “Kochhaus” build in 1779.
	Finally we will go for a guided walk in the Baroque gar­den and model herb garden, containing aromatic plants from the 15 countries of the EU. These parks are a part of the European project "Eden – Gardens without Fron­tiers" and are situated next to the castle at Schengen which dates back to 1812. Here we get to know the histo­ry of the wine-making town Schengen near the point where the borders of Germany, France and Luxembourg come together. More information about Schengen: www.ont.lu

E 4: Citadel in Bitche

Excursion 4 to the Citadel of Bitche (France) introduces into the most cruel and hate-filled parts of the regional history. The repeated wars between Germany and France with millions of people killed on both sides can still be imagined by European´s biggest defense buildings at the border between Saarland and Lorraine, such as the “Westwall” (Germany) and the “Maginot Line” (France) from World War two. Since the mid-18th century, the Bitche`s Citadel has been regarded as one of the most powerful fortresses in France. Rebuilt by Cormontai­gne on the foundations of a former fortification built by Vauban, Louis XIV's famous architect, it has never been taken by force of arms. When the Maginot Line was build, the citadel of Bitche was integrated in the line of concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, machine gun posts and other defenses.

For visiting the Citadel you will need warm clothing, because you will enter the underground passages including mazes of galleries which have all the necessary equipment to shelter a garrison during a siege. The visit of the Citadel is self-guided by audio-sets, and various authentic smells are released in the passages.
	The Museum, installed in the chapel and in the old bakery, delves into the history of both the Citadel and the Bitche area, from the origins till 1870. The displays include prehistoric tools, pottery,
	coins, boundary stones decorated with the landowners' coats of arms, swords and knives, firearms, breast-plates, a wealth of illustrations and models. The center-piece of the Museum is the 3 D-plan (1797) of the citadel. More information about the Bitche`s Citadel: http://www.ville-bitche.fr/Anglais/

E 5: World Heritage Site Voelklinger-Huette

Excursion 5 to the Voelklinger Huette provides an introduc­tion into the economic history of the Saarland and gives an example for the development from industrialism to post-in­dustrialism. The Voelklinger Huette is the only 19th century ironworks worldwide that remains in its entirety. On a tiny place it displays a collection of milestones in blast furnace technology and technical achievement. In 1994 the Voelk­linger Huette steel mill became the first 19th century indu­strial plant to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
	The guided tour of the World Heritage Site will go far into the dark corridors of the burden hall, then up to the dizzying heights of the lookout platform on the blast furnace. The multimedia introduction takes you on a journey through time from the infancy of the Voelklinger Huette to today. One of the highlights of the tour is the blower hall (6.000 sq m). Gigantic turbo compressors were used here to create the wind that was heated and then blown into the blast fur­naces. After the guided tour you will get the op­portunity to visit the exhibition “Power and Magnificence – The splen­dour of Europe in the 19th century” in the blower hall that shows artistic masterpieces from the period 1830-1900 to the general public for the first time.

More information about the Voelklinger Huette:
www.voelklinger-huette.com

E 6: Villeroy & Boch Discovery Center

Excursion 6 to the Villeroy & Boch Factory in Mettlach aims to show sustainable develop­ment in the economic area. In the course of the company’s history, Villeroy & Boch has deve­loped from a manufacturer and marketer of high-quality ceramic products into a lifestyle spe­cialist of worldwide renown. Focusing on the three divisions of "Tableware", "Bathroom and Wellness" and "Tiles", Villeroy & Boch is represented in 125 countries.

The tour will start in the Old Abbey with a film and episodic artistic arrangements about 250 years of Villeroy & Boch`s existence in the “Keravision”. In the “Tableware Discovery Center” are all current collections displayed in unusual presentations. Exhibits from past and present of Villeroy & Boch`s existence you find in the “Museum of Ceramics”. The “Bathroom, Kit­chen, Tile and Wellness Information Center” gives examples for contemporary design con­cepts with complete room displays. On leaving the Old Abbey you will be guided through the magnificent park with the “Schinkel Fountain”, the “Old Tower”, the “Living Planet Square” which was one of the highlights of Expo 2000 in Hanover consisting of the “Earth Spirit” and the “World Map of Life”. Finally you can take advantage of many attractive offers in the “Fac­tory Outlet” by buying porcelain, glass, crystal, cutlery, gifts, furniture and textiles for interior decoration.

More information about Villeroy & Boch:
www.villeroy-boch.com