DIVERSITY - PARDUBICE22

What is diversity in EYP? How did this change me?

This is us.

This is EYP.

Behind the mask.

D I VE RS I TY P A R

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Project by Jovan Borčić

CONTENT 01 03 05 PARDUBICE 22

Head Organisers

Head of Jury

07 09 11 NC Representative

Editorial Assistant

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What do other participants think

Words from the Creator

Delegate

PCE 22 'Shaping our identity in the fragile present' In the past year, society has faced an immense challenge in regards to the stability of a wide range of industries. With the motto ʻShaping our identity in the fragile presentʼ, we aim to contribute to creating a strong identity of our society, stemming from active participation and citizenship. In addition to aiding individuals to discover and mend their own personal identity, the main focus of the 24th National Selection Conference of EYP CZ Pardubice 2022 is to combat fragility as a diverse but unified society.

Pardubice 22 logo - made by Anka Stieberová

What is European Youth Parliamentʼs mission?

The European Youth Parliamentʼs mission is to inspire and empower young Europeans to become open-minded, tolerant and active citizens. The EYP encourages independent thinking and initiative in young people and facilitates the learning of crucial social and professional skills. Since it was conceived in 1987, hundreds of thousands of young people have taken part in regional, national and international sessions, formed friendships and made international contacts across and beyond borders. The EYP has thus made a vital contribution towards European unity and bridging gaps between cultures.

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HOs

Daniel Janda (CZ) (he/him) & Michaela Nguyenová (CZ) (she/her)

How has having different backgrounds, aspirations, and interests shaped your relationship as Co-HOs? M: Although our working styles are different, and while Daniel is focused on technical stuff and engineering, I am more of a psychological person that enjoys cultural studies and alike.

But in that sense. we balance each other out quite well. We have different viewpoints on many topics, but that's exactly what creates a very wholesome atmosphere.

Is having a diverse team/leadership by your side something you took into consideration?

D: Talking specifically about the organising team, we wanted to make sure there was diversity in a sense of work experience, work style, and education. Some people are very experienced academically, some are more into media, and some have never been an official before - so we really wanted to focus on inclusivity here. Furthermore, as our academic board had two Greeks, and naturally there were many chairs applications from that country, in order to ensure diversity, we also tried to choose people from other countries.

Making sure a session is inclusive and stays as such throughout is very hard, what is your take on this?

M: One of the things that is really new to EYP CZ is using pronouns at sessions. We are now putting this on participant badges and are urging others to keep them in mind when addressing someone. Many of our participants are Queer for example, and so we are truly trying to be careful to stay respectful.

D: This is especially hard for Czech people since we can't really use pronouns like that in our language, so for our participants, it takes a bit of time to get used to that. That is exactly why our NC hasn't actually been using pronouns so far, so we are hopefully trying to turn the tide of this one. Ideally, this will be a standard at future sessions, where delegates will be able to see they are included no matter what and it will just close that gap.

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HOJ

Viktor Karlíček (CZ) (he/him)

Has EYP in any way helped you grow into your skin?

I would probably say that EYP was one of the most — if not the single most — influential thing that has helped me understand some things about myself and understand who I am as a person. The first multiple-day session I attended was the first time I had seen so many different people, and the atmosphere was just completely unique. There were some things I wasn't sure I could believe about myself, and EYP was the first time I decided 'okay, I want to embrace who I am.'

You mentioned the EYP atmosphere; what do you think is so peculiar about it?

When you come here as a delegate for the first time, it is also the first time you see such a diverse group of people. The atmosphere here is different than anywhere else you will encounter by that age. At my first session, I met people who were openly gay, something I wasn't used to at the time; people who were different and weren't afraid to express themselves. In EYP, people simply don't care about being awkward or silly and play crazy games. The people who do EYP make sure to create a safe space for others who want to join - that is what makes it peculiar.

How would you say the term 'inclusivity' and its practice have changed here over the years?

Over the 7 years I have been in EYP, that term has been changing both here and in society as well. In my time, people were people and their diversity was there for sure, but today it has been affirmed more structurally - by using pronouns for example. Moreover, policies about sexual conduct — which used to be something taken for granted — are now enforced in other ways such as sensitivity towards gender topics. Having a child protection officer is a new addition, something that had for sure not been there before.

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NC REP

Jakub Rech (CZ) (he/him)

Being a part of EYP for 6 years, now on the Board too, what has the journey been like?

Now, it is going well I would say. There isn't any discrimination, far from it, and people welcome you with open arms. Regarding the Board, we have truly created such a safe space there. However, I would say that at the beginning of my 'career' there was a mentality of 'ooh you're different, let's just not talk about it'. Today, I am so glad to see that the delegates at this session in particular are noticeably more Queer and vivid about their identity. I am glad to see that because it shows others that you are supported here and that it's safe to be your true self.

What would you say is the next step for our organisation in regards to inclusivity?

Considering we are in the Czech Republic which is still conservative, the process of accepting change and diversity has been a slow one. In EYP, we are constantly accepting others and showing them we support them, but I feel like there is only so much we can do.

For example, the topic of gender is not discussed enough in Czech society, so people oftentimes don't even understand how to explain themselves to others. Thus, I feel that we should keep doing what we are currently and that with time we will close this gap between ourselves and society.

Has EYP influenced your path or shaped you as a person, and if yes, how so?

It most certainly has, yes. Before starting, I didn't have this sense of who I was or where to even begin searching. I was one person in the 'real world', but in EYP I was someone else, a person who was more out there in every way. Every time I came back here for another session, this EYP identity became more shaped and defined. I always took something from my EYP identity and took it with me to this real world, and over time, it all just became one person. I am definitely not as, let's say, adventurous as I used to be, but I think it's because I have settled into who I am, and not who I had to pretend to be in this conservative world.

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EA

Anka Stieberová (CZ) (they/them)

Being queer, was coming to EYP scary for you?

For sure it was scary, as everything is when you are approaching it as a person who is outside the norm. You never know the people who will be there, whether you can present yourself as you are, or if you will have to hide your identity. Thankfully, now I can gladly say that EYP has always been a safe space where I could express myself to my fullest capacity. It has always been a place I can look forward to going to, and a place where I don't feel like I would be judged for being authentically myself.

Has anyone from EYP in particular changed your mindset?

Most of my mindsets had to be changed by myself as I grew and discovered myself, but a particular encounter does come to mind. It was during my first session abroad, just before the pandemic, when I met a non-binary person for the first time.

This was honestly life-changing for me. That person and I have a really close friendship to this day. They also told me that I had a similar impact on them, which led to a long talk afterward that helped us both realise that people like us exist. What EYP brings out is the opportunity to represent who you are and make others feel less lonely.

Being non-binary, what are the biggest obstacles you had to overcome?

I would start with being Czech overall. One big obstacle is the extremely gendered language, and for someone who is non-binary, you don't have an option to use something similar to they/them pronouns. This leads to others not knowing how to refer to you, so it takes some time to get used to. Besides this, in EYP, you can't wear your pronouns on your head, and people naturally assume them, which usually doesn't end up being correct, since you can't assume someone's identity.

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DELE

Kai (CZ) (they/them)

What did you expect coming to EYP vs What did you get?

I went to a presentation about it in my school, and it wasn't anything special. Then I went to RSC Liberec, where I met a lot more queer people than I thought. Something that surprised me was that my queerness wasn't met with disbelief, rather normality, as something mundane and 'ʼcoolʼʼ. They did use my birth name in the emails — which I don't go by, which was a bit off-putting, but at the session, everybody referred to me rightfully.

How do you think diversity helps encourage others?

Seeing diversity in EYP has definitely helped me want to continue doing it and just be myself here. I have friends who go through similar/same things as I do and seeing this type of affirmation just brings you closer to being yourself all the time, which I think is really important. Showing that you are going through things others are too just helps you realise you are not alone. I think sharing your own identity shapes not only you, but others around you as well, and this is why it is important to continue sharing your truth.

As a soon-to-be official, what would you like to teach others about diversity and inclusivity?

Huh, that's a really interesting question, and I don't think I have a precise answer to that.

Mainly, I would try to make people as comfortable as they can be in this space. Encourage them to talk about themselves, about who they are, and share their own stories. I believe it is important to share what you are experiencing because it helps others get through it too. If I have gone through it, I know it is scary, and I know someone would benefit from hearing they are not alone in this. EYP really helps you get through things. Just do it, go and talk to people, you will carry those experiences with you forever.

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Knowing that people like us exist. We are not alone — we are everywhere.

For me, diversity in EYP helped me want to be myself, because it showed me there are people in this world who are like me and I don't want to pretend to be someone else. It hurts me, and robs others from experiencing me.

I didnʼt know where to begin the journey of self-expression. The diverse community in EYP showed me I didnʼt have to know - just had to begin.

For me diversity is power.

We are here, we are queer, and we arenʼt going anywhere.

It is hard to put it into words, but sharing the same passion for life and will to fight for others — that is what makes diversity normal.

It is hard to put it into words, but sharing the same passion for life and will to fight for others — that is what makes diversity normal.

*all of these were written anonymously

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WORDS

Jovan Borčić (RS) (he/she/they)

To the ones before me, and those after me...

This is my second diversity project.

The first one I devoted to all my fellow Queers, but this one I devote to not only them but all else who do not ʻfit the normʼ. The truth is, you donʼt need to.

The norm is there to stop you from going beyond it, where all of our true selves lie. Donʼt give in to the stories of failed hearts who try to tell you your truth doesnʼt matter, or that no one is watching, because they all are. The world is watching, and this is your time to put on a show and present who you are. You are a masterpiece.

To those asking ʻwhy bother?ʼ, I say this.

We are too focused on comprehension, and not enough on compassion — that is why we have to bother. We have to wake up every day and choose to be ourselves, firstly for us alone, but for others too. Remember every time you walk and decide to make the footprints your own, you show others that you have been there, that you have loved.

Remember why you choose yourself every day and why you are vividly open about who you are.

Because some of us canʼt be.

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