Issue 3
7TH NATIONAL SESSION OF EYP CYPRUS
From the Editor Dear participants of the 7th National Session of EYP Cyprus, It is time for the Flaminfos to bid you farewell. I hope this issue becomes a token of your time here at the 7th National filled with pleasant memories. Our goal was one; to be the memory-keepers of an experience which you’ll surely want to remember. Read on, to find more about the session President, the history of EYP Cyprus Nationals and the events that have been taking place over the past few days. We hope our memory-keeping mission has been a success! Yours, Arriana Yiallourides PS. I would like to dedicate this editorial to my perfect(ionist) editorial assistant, Panos Kalaidopoulos, whose hard work and amazing proofreading skills have helped create the issue, you now hold in your hands.
Contents:
Europe has talent A Commissioner for the Session Europe Discussed History of EYP Cyprus: An Insight A little bit of Sophie It won’t skip you! Summertime Sadness What happens now?
Europe’s got talent Singing,dancing, performing. All about the Euroconcert By Fabrizio Colucci & Flora Mavri
Sweaty palms. Biting nails. Throbbing hearts. That was the atmosphere in the Larnaca Municipal Theatre, before last night’s event of the year: the Euroconcert! The most talented amongst us knocked themselves out to give us the most anticipated night of the Session (so far…). After the ice was broken by the multi-talented and hilarious presenting trio, consisting of Dimi Kolovopoulos (FEMM Chairperson), Margarita Samouridou (Organiser) and Fabrizio Colucci (Journalist), the event was ready to take off. The show started with a surprisingly genuine tribute to Frank Sinatra, attempted by Stephanos Philippou of FEMM (aided by Charalambos Lappas, with a wonderful dancing performance), which brought us back to the ‘50s for some good 3 minutes. We were then showered by the classic vibes coming out from the violin of George Hadjivasiliou, who played a delightful version of Brahm’s “Hungarian Dance No 5” (praise to our fellow Journalist Dennis, who sorted the lack of musical knowledge of the subscribers).
We then move to a completely different artistic form of expression, with the captivating dance moves of Katerina Foka (“Seal”, for friends), straightaway followed by the tender voice of Sarah Charalambous, performing a bit of Emeli Sandé. After the last performance by the Delegate duet composed of Charalambos Lappas and Charis Xiourouppa, the night flowed smoothly with the performances of the Officials. Well-known within EYP Cyprus, Aaron Miles, Christos Panayi and Mike Ioannou tag-teamed in a series of three rather vivid performances for gifted recitalists. And, if that wasn’t enough, we still had our good Organisers’ entertaining medley, through which they had some chance to show off their amazing dance moves (everyone will remember Yannis’s Shakira-booty-shake). Well, what is left to say after such an unforgettable performance?
A Commissioner for the session By Flora Mavri
The 7th National Session of EYP Cyprus is honoured to be under the patronage of Mrs. Androulla Vassiliou. Mrs. Vassiliou is a well-known political figure in Cyprus, as well as in the field of European politics. A Member of the European Commission consecutively since 2008, she currently serves as the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth since 2010. As this Session’s patron, Ms. Vassiliou actively supports the European Youth Parliament and fervently encourages young citizens to become involved in debates. Born in Cyprus, Ms. Vassiliou studied Law and International Relations in London and returned to Cyprus with the aim of practicing Law, while in 1996 she is elected to the
House of Representatives. An asset to the Committee of European Affairs as a parliamentarian, Ms. Vassiliou is consequently selected to serve in Brussels. Within the framework of rich work of Ms. Vassiliou, Erasmus for All perhaps excels as the most impressive of her achievements and has recently seen a significant Budget increase, which surely reflects the Commission’s firm support in this field. The Commission sustains the cause and so is the youth that has enjoyed, is and will be enjoying the Erasmus benefits.
EYP Cyprus and the 7th National Session are truly honoured to enjoy the support of Ms. Vassiliou.
Europe discussed? By Ciara Robinson, Anna Petterson & Fabrizio Colucci
Mr. Nicos Marcou, Ambassador Andreas D. Mavroyiannis and Mr. Yiannis Yiannaki enlightened the Session participants with presentations on the European job market, political participation and the role of NGOs and volunteer organisations in civil society. We would like to express our gratitude for their contribution to the Session and their precious insight. With unemployment rising alarmingly, especially amongst the youth, shaping our future as we want it seems a far-fetched dream. Mr. Marcou recognised that this is not the best time to be young or to be in Europe either; nevertheless, he gave us a very positive overview about the possibilities the labour market offers and how the EU is contributing to it. Job demands and supplies have radically changed compared to some years ago, the way one looks for a job must, therefore, con-
sequently be adapted. While our parents used to find a job for life, we – the new generation – have to be flexible and ready to travel. A job that lacks in one country may be demanded by another one – such as Germany, in rather big need of engineers. The 11,700,000 € invested in cohesion funds for Croatia’s recent join in the EU, found their way to start-ups, the so-called green jobs created through clean technologies. This is where the real challenge lies: step out of your comfort zone and take advantage of the new opportunities the labour market provides. To something slightly more political, for how miserable it may sound, the youth involvement in politics we see in the EYP is rather far from everyday reality. European policy makers care passionately about this issue because older generations created what is going to finish in our hands.
Ambassador Mavroyiannis, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, exposed his concerns about the topic by saying that it is simply off putting to realise that so many youngsters are not interested in the European Union and the process of European Integration. “Youths consider politics to be distant and not interesting to them.”, to quote the Secretary. In his opinion, it is slightly superficial to be held responsible for the lack of participation when there are so many rights and projects available to young citizens. “Europe is a great privilege which should not be taken for granted”; that’s exactly why we cannot let it crumble into pieces and express ourselves in every possible way. It is evident today that few young European citizens are actively involved in civil society. Youth organisations and NGOs are core aspects of a pluralist democracy. Mr Yiannis Yiannaki, the Commissioner for Volunteering and NGOs of the Republic of Cyprus, presented very compelling arguments in yesterday’s panel discussion.
As he emphasised, NGOs are important in encouraging participation in Europe. The idea that NGOs appear more trustworthy and transparent to governmental institutions offered an explanation to one of the Session’s fundamental questions: why are young Europeans indifferent? Commissioner Yiannaki suggested solutions, such as consultations in Schools, online fora and questionnaires as better ways to target the younger population. However, many would argue that it is still the responsibility of the individual to become informed on European issues. Linking to the first round of the discussion, Mr Yiannaki also highlighted the benefits of volunteering as a way to fight unemployment, while gaining valuable knowledge, skills and experience. There has been a sparkle. And sparkles occasionally prove awe-inspiring in the long term. We thank all participants for a fascinating debate and the good amount of quality food for though.
EYP Cyprus: A bit of history Some years of history, some years in history By George Hadjipavlis
Back in time
Shall we?
By the time this Issue is out, the 7th National Session of EYP Cyprus will be almost over; an event which has been occurring annually since 2007. This already gives us six EYP Cyprus National Sessions full of memories; six years of EYP Cyprus, an organisation set up with lots of effort, determination and sacrifices.
The National Sessions:
If you, therefore, took the time to read the title, you did guess right. This article will shuffle through the past and the present of EYP Cyprus. It goes without saying that exploring the foundations of EYP Cyprus utterly offers that feeling upon the realisation that people of our age did so much for something they believed in. This article is dedicated to all of them who, through the years, put so much hard work to make each and every one of these conferences a reality. Thank you, guys!
Nassos Stylianou, a founding Member of EYP Cyprus who shared his insight on its early days and development, points out that certain of his most memorable moments were “of course the Sessions themselves”. National Sessions indeed constitute the yearly grand demonstration of all the work that has been going by the National Committee and the Session’s Officials behind the scenes. Just like this year, the very first National Session of EYP Cyprus was held in Larnaca, in the premises of the American Academy of Larnaca. Intriguingly, Larnaca has been the city of preference of EYP Cyprus for 4 out of its 7 National Sessions. (Two other NSs have been held in Limasol and one in the town of Paralimni.)
The position of the Session’s President has been undertaken just twice by a Cypriot, whilst the presidency has found a proper face also in a Member of EYP Greece, while Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom and Ireland (Sophie is Irish) each had one of their nationals presiding. Moreover, our National Sessions have always been rather ‘international’; Officials from 12 different countries have offered their labour to the sessions up to this moment. In the course of time, the National Sessions have grown and evolved from an, initially, 3-day event of less than a hundred participants to this year’s 7th NS, which consists of slightly more than 150 participants, and more than 40 officials amongst them, supporting the whole endeavor for 5 days. Year by year, more educational and side activities get incorporated in the yearly schedule, with the latest being the Chairpersons’ Training held earlier this summer. The introduction of the Pre-Selections, some sort of a selection session, not in place from the beginning, is another quite important trace of progress. EYP Cyprus and EYP in Cyprus The European Youth Parliament had been embraced by Cyprus since the early ‘90s, when Cyprus started sending delegations to sessions abroad. Back in 1995-1996, the Grammar School also succeeded in organising an impressive international event in Nicosia, a fact relatively unknown amongst Cypriot EYPers, a lack of awareness which can be somehow justified as many of us are not ourselves older or much older than 17 years old (we have technically been neonatal when the event took place). As Nassos explains, “Cypriot involvement was initiated by the Grammar School, which did a very good job in selecting students to go abroad and showed great commitment to the
values of the organisation”, but goes on adding that “during this time, participation was limited to just the Grammar School in Nicosia and Limassol”. It was not until 2006 when a group of Cypriot EYP Alumni decided to form anew an independent National Committee that took up the responsibility of organising annual events in Cyprus for Cypriot students known as the “National Sessions” of EYP Cyprus. This resulted in the expansion of the size and the scope of the EYP in Cyprus, in the same time that exactly these National Sessions gave, and still give, hundreds more High School students the opportunity to attend an EYP event. In what other way would I have the opportunity to write all these?
Special thanks to Nassos Stylianou for his precious assistance.
A little bit of Sophie By Anna Petterson & Katerina Stavri
Ms. Sophie Scannel, the charming Irish lady orchestrating the Session before and behind the scenes, has offered us the honour of a little of her time. Get to know the (other) President.
Considering the theme of the Session, in what ways do you believe people can actually defy indifference? Why do you see it as something important right now in Europe? Participating to events like EYP is a good starting point on defying indifference. Searching and finding out things you did not know before helps to get to know more about the world that surrounds you. Have some food for thought, look up for things like academic subjects, news and issues around Europe, but also get to know people. Reading newspapers, magazines, watching the news and keeping up-to-date with current matters allow people to “defy indifference� and, eventually, this will lead to shaping our tomorrow as we want it. It is really important to never stop learning; besides, one has to understand issues – especially when related to the choices decision-makers take. Most importantly, you have to question them, acquire a critic approach and try to develop a well-informed opinion. Your position as the President of the Session gives you a completely different viewpoint than any other Official. What is the best part
of having this role and being able to experience every part of the Session? As the President of the Session, I get to see all the work done in the Committee Rooms, which allows me to appreciate more the finished product seen by the rest in the GA. By just being present in the GA, you cannot really witness the work done beforehand. Unlike any other Official, being the President allows me to hear more than one interesting discussion from the very start of it. How did EYP change the way you see the world? Do you look at issues or problems in Europe differently compared to prior you got involved in EYP? It really depends on the issue. EYP made me realise that people who are in charge and people who are in high, powerful positions are very similar to the people you meet in EYP. The process decision-makers follow is very similar to the one Delegates apply during Committee Work. I do not necessarily look at the World and the issues faced by Europe differently, but, due to EYP, I try to find out more information about current issues on my own.
You have been quite involved in EYP Cyprus, what is the reason behind that and what makes you want to come back?
What would your advice be to all those students that are step by step building their future and have to make choices?
I view EYP Cyprus as a big family, more than any other National Committee I had the chance to get to know. When I first came to Cyprus, they really made me feel like part of this big family. Somehow, it is like at a Christmas’ table, where lots of people are gathered together, and you feel bonded already after the starter.
Choose what truly appeals to you. Do not choose your study plan thinking about which one will guarantee you a job or which one is going the most lucrative. Follow your interests and choose what you would like to read about every day for five years. (And follow my example: do Maths!)
Would you describe yourself as an active citizen?
What is the motto you live by?
Yes and no, since I missed the last two referenda in Ireland, the last general election and the last EU elections, all because I was attending an EYP session in the meanwhile.
I am not really a motto person, but perhaps it is “do difficult things, often”.
Dear Orgas... By Elena Papathomas, Dionysis Patriarcheas
One could easily sit down and start juxtaposing tedious information on the Organisers, very easily. Honestly, though, who really cares whether this is Elena’s third session or whether our rather photogenic Marios prefers shrimps to oysters at cocktail parties, when their work (a labour most discreet) sustains every moment of our being here? To the end of approaching the mammal called Homo Organisans, one primarily needs to spot them; and this is where the tough part kicks in. Homines Organisantes can hardly be spotted (with the sole exception of Solonas dancing in the rain or wherever else), mainly due to their discreet bustling round the premises. That is, they surely have enough to worry about at any given time. Still, at the exact same time, they abide by the principle of discreetness, disturbing the least possible. Your effort has not been wasted; thank you. Organisans works invariably out of the spotlight from dawn to dusk; from carrying watermelons around and slicing pizzas to arranging the smallest details, such as proofreading seating plans or looking for the green marker. They are there, for you, for us. Your effort has not been wasted; thank you. They have indeed been little seen. Even so, though, how easily would the Organisers’ traces be washed off memory? We’ve seen, captured
and will definitely recall: Yiannis dancing with the mop; Mike, the youngest among the Officials, explaining to non-Cypriots what a ttoros is; Maria and Andreas St. trying to get the Teachers closer; Andreas M. supplying honey to IMCO; Rea (twin of Margarita in a parallel universe) nearly driving the Session’s busses; Eleana carrying pattihes; Alexia’s utterly cute clumsiness; neat Dani having mastered a massive “RockPaper-Scissors”; the ever-lasting smile of Margarita (twin of Rea in a parallel universe). Helena’s cucumber-like appearance at the Euroconcert. Your smile has not been wasted; thank you. Never mind the grace, though, there will always be a fundamental truth. Organising can always go terribly well, to the same extent it can go terribly wrong. Producing and dishing out this very paper serves as a proof for the former; this Session is indeed going well. Your effort has not been wasted; thank you. 86 Delegates, 51 Officials, 23 Teachers, 230 sandwiches. Even if not all sandwiches have been consumed to the very last, each and every one of the aforementioned (animate) participants has been given the chance to be happy. One way, a second, or another, this has been it. It has been brilliant and you have brought it to us. Hopefully anticipating what is yet to come, de profundis, thank you.
Flaminfo presents: The Survey You have been asked, we recorded the vibe By Fabrizio Colucci
Every good association is constantly renewing its structure and offer by asking its members their proper preferences. It is even redundant to say that EYP is not only good, but possibly the best of its kind, and that’s exactly why we are rightly delivering you the latest survey which gathers all the newest choices made by the fellow Cypriot Delegates. Waking up: Black coffee or frappé?
The Delegates have a rather clear idea when dealing this kind of stuff: Frappé is the preferred choice amongst them. To be precise, 84 % of the people interviewed prefer the long-lasting, cold and frothy version of the good old coffee. Many say that it is because you can enjoy it for longer, while plain coffee is not but an instant pleasure. Besides, you have to prefer something cool in the a country as hot as Cyprus!
16%
84% The flamingo hype: For or against?
The great minding behind the entertainment for the Session has scored a point once again. 85 % of the Delegates find the choice of the flamingo really positive for the outcome of these three days. Only a small minority cannot match with the idea of the pink animal. “It is not actually pink. It is only when it eats shrimps!”, something that apparently puts some off.
15%
85%
Who to spend time with: School mates or new people?
100%
EYPers never contradict themselves! Unanimously, each and every participant that underwent the interview is sure they would like to spend some time with new people. One of the comments collected was rather explicative: “I mean… it’s EYP!”
It won’t skip you! A brief introduction to inevitable EYP (Cyprus) situations By Lisa Allison & Charlotte Martin
The Session Crush There is no point denying it, we all have that one person we’re all too eager to impress. Whether it’s a fiercely defined jawline, luscious locks, or the ability to get you giggling and wiggling during the Session, very few of us are immune to the Session Crush. Many a time there have been sightings of mesmerised Delegates (and even Chairs) skipping back to their Committee Rooms as a result of their newfound passion… Not knowing the name of someone you really should From time to time, there definitely are those awkward moments after Teambuilding, where, although we no longer feel the need to wear our nametags, we suddenly realize that even the best of us can suffer from the case of the “fish memoir”. You’ll casually sit in silence in the anticipative hope that maybe, just maybe, someone else will call their name so you don’t you give the impression of an early onset Alzheimer’s patient. Nonetheless, what would be even more awkward –and believe us, it does happen–, is still not knowing the name of someone by Sunday evening! Sleep deprivation – late night hotel schmoozing As you may have already established, sleep deprivation is a bit of a given. EYP seems to be instilling some certain idea of masochism that way; after working hard during committee work and dancing to songs on a moose and
bananas in the scorching sun all day, we even feel the need to extend the refreshing experience by keeping ourselves awake while being left to some avant-Session bedroom fun! Cookie monsters in progress Alongside sleep deprivation, it seems famine manages to squeeze itself in there, too. It is inevitable that both Delegates and Officials engage in excessive biscuit munching to keep their blood sugar levels up to a bearable standard.
Summertime Sadness By Elena Papathomas & Dionysis Patriarcheas
Furthermore, Committee Work problemsolving, striving to formulate a proper Motion for a Resolution and recklessly producing Attack Speeches will all be sadly replaced by rather dull homework and School assignments. Additionally, you will not really have to be introducing yourself each and every time you address your classmates when discussing, if discussing, serious matters.
In a few hours, the 7th National Session of EYP Cyprus will be officially over, leaving every single one of us with a mixture of different feelings and memories which we will treasure for years to come. A happy and exciting ambience for the Teambuilding, demands and fatigue during Committee Work and the GA challenges and frustration can perfectly describe the past four days. However, as soon as you go back to your daily routine, you will start missing everything you have lived through, including people, moments and even your ever-lasting plastic cups. This is what EYPers variably like to call PED- the “Post EYP Depression”. During your first post-session days, you may start mistaking random people in the street for past Session people, possibly hoping that they would be your amazing new friends. Nevertheless, as you will soon realise, they will not bid willing to join you in any circle, nor become ninjas with you, while coffee in the morning will soon become lonely. These will strongly remind you that the conference is over.
This PED / Summertime Sadness / Kalokairini Stenachoria will definitely be much lighter, if you know that this is not the end, but rather the beginning of your EYP journey. Not waking up next to your fresh friends, ‘friends’ or acquaintances might last a long time, but it surely comforts you to know that your next session may not be so far away. If you may, no matter what your future holds for you, stay involved – it may be worth it!
What happens now? A compilation of practical tips on what is yet to come...because nationals are simply the beginning. By George Hadjipavlis
The majority of EYPers start their, usually enthralling, EYP march as a Delegate in the National Sessions of their respective countries. This, however, is nothing but the tip of the iceberg: there’s so much to do, to experience, to achieve and a World to meet, it can’t stop there!
So, here there are a few basic steps to get you started:
For the willing to go further, it is a process which requires time and effort in order to get involved further. In any case, if you ask any ‘senior’ EYPer who has been through this –and most likely is still doing it–, you will discover that it was worth the ‘trouble’.
Step 2: Get involved in other EYP events, such as officials’ trainings; it won’t be hard finding some.
The European Youth Parliament is a youth organisation of a substantial stature and requires lots, of different people in varying positions in various areas all year round. This in turn, means that pretty much everyone with a genuine interest for their, or any other, field can be integrated in EYP and can, thus, be accommodated in the structure of the organisation.
Step 1: A simple one. As soon as the National Session is finished, you will have the opportunity to become a member of EYP Cyprus. Grasp it!
Tip: You can find several Facebook Groups related to EYP applications, Sessions and travelling. Do your research, dig deep. You can even be offered a couch from fellow EYPers. Step 3: Apply to a session. They usually come in three different types (Regional / Other Events, National, International). You can apply to be an Official and take one of the positions you may have just acknowledged to exist. Make good use of the official EYP website (www.eypej.org), where you can find all EYP Events and apply right away.
Well, this has been it! This blank page is left for you to fill,
to keep, to
share.
So long!
EYP CYPRUS WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF ITS GENEROUS SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS FOR THEIR VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION IN MAKING THIS SESSION POSSIBLE FOR ALL ITS PARTICIPANTS.
CO-ORGANISER
Representation in Cyprus
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MEDIA SPONSORS
SUPPORTERS