Young people from Sunderland’s twin city of Essen have been getting a taste of Mackem life this week, exploring Sunderland, its culture and sharing experiences.
Six young people and their youth workers from Essen arrived in the city on 6 April and were joined by youth workers from Sunderland All Together Consortium.
The Sunderland All Together Consortium, with support from Sunderland City Council, have planned this visit – along with the Jugendamt (Youth Service) in Essen – and it is the first time for over a decade that the city has hosted young people from Essen.
The visit to Sunderland included a stay at the British Esports Campus in Sunniside. With state-of-the-art esports training facilities, apartments, performance rooms and teaching facilities, the multi-million-pound campus opened in 2023 and is now the national home of esports in the UK.
The programme also featured a visit to Sunderland’s award-winning beaches, Washington Old Hall, the Museum and Winter Gardens, as well to Culture House and a variety of Sunderland’s youth work organisations.
The young people also met the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Ehthesham Haque at a reception event at City Hall.
Anna, one of the youth workers from Germany who accompanied the group, said: “It was really great to visit Sunderland, our twin city, with the group from Essen and have a chance to talk, meet and exchange ideas.
“We were wonderfully taken care of by our hosts during the whole visit. This co-operation between the two cities is so important and a wonderful opportunity to bring young people together.”
18-year-old Francesca, who participated in the visit, said: “Sunderland has been very exciting because of the sights and the people who live there. I am very grateful for the experience.”
Sunderland and Essen have been twin cities since 1949, creating one of the UK’s longest-standing postwar Anglo-German partnerships.
Joint activities with young people have been key to the relationship for many years. Every Summer, a group of young people from Sunderland visit Essen to take part in the International Youth Exchange and learn about life and opportunities as a young person in Germany as well as Essen’s history, culture and traditions.
This year the International Youth Exchange will take place digitally – making this in-person time in Sunderland vitally important in opening up the opportunities that the partnership presents to young people from both our cities.
Peter McIntyre, executive director of economy and place at Sunderland City Council, said: “Sunderland and Essen have a really strong relationship, which goes back all the way back to 1949, and has provided a wide range of opportunities for young people from both our communities over the years. It is fantastic to see this joint work continue to grow and thrive, creating valuable opportunities for young people to learn more about life and culture in other countries and communities.
We were delighted to welcome this year’s cohort of young people from Essen who all showed incredible enthusiasm and a willingness to learn more about life here in Sunderland. They have been a real credit to their city.”
