Foreword

“Today, the meaning of ‘community’ can be ambiguous. But true communities are simply groups of people who keep coming together over what they care about. “

Bailey Richardson, Kevin Huynh; Kai Elmer Sotto

The European Youth Parliament Finland

A unique place where many feel they can be themselves, a place where people can learn, develop and challenge themselves, a place people call home. A community.

European Youth Parliament Finland – EYP Finland ry was founded in its modern form in 2001. As EYP Finland turns 20 years old this year, we want to highlight how far we have come. With this anniversary publication we take a look back at the last ten years, while paying our respects to the first anniversary publication, released in 2011. Thank you to all the contributors of this publication. Without you this would not have been possible.

The last decade has brought a lot of changes to EYP Finland. The organisation has grown both in scale and outreach. Just as originally intended. While a session in 2021 and 2001 might look very different from the outside, EYP Finland’s core values have remained the same. People return to our events from around Finland and Europe to experience what we call the "EYP spirit".

EYP Finland is where it is today thanks to the countless hours our dedicated volunteers have put into the organisation. As mentioned in the first publication, for many of us volunteers, EYP is not just a hobby, but a true lifestyle. This publication is dedicated to all of us that have worked to make EYP Finland what it is today.

Let us look forward to 20 more years of growth, love and community.

With love,

Yannika Rönnqvist Alexandra Salo President 2021 Coordinator for EYPFI 20

European Youth Parliament Finland - EYP Finland ry 2012-2021 / Published for the 20th anniversary of EYP Finland / EYP Finland is the National Committee of the European Youth Parliament in Finland

Design by Christina Lax

Text and photos by Alexandra Salo, Henri Haapanala, Marja Pentikäinen, Alexander Proctor, Jari Marjelund, Robert Torvelainen, Alma Vänttinen, Laura Uusitalo, Amir Abdelamir, Pilvi Kilpeläinen, Yannika Rönnqvist and various others