Resolution Booklet Oulu 2014 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland 14th–16th November, 2014
Oulu 2014 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 16 November 2014
European Youth Parliament (EYP) – The EYP, founded in 1987, is one of the largest European platforms for intercultural encounters, political educational work and the exchange of ideas among young people. Its mission is to support the development of young people into politically aware and responsible citizens by involving them in European political thinking and promoting intercultural understanding. Each year, the EYP involves thousands of young people in voluntary roles in 41 European countries. The EYP is a programme of the Schwartzkopf Foundation.
European Youth Parliament Finland (EYP Finland – EYP Finland, founded in 2001, is the National Committee of the EYP in Finland. The Regional Sessions are part of EYP Finland’s annual Your European Citizenship campaign.
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Programme of the General Assembly 09:00 09:20 10:10 11:00 11:20 12:05 13:00 13:50 14:40 15:20 15:35
Opening of the General Assembly Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Human Rights Motion for Resolution by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs Coffee Break Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs Lunch Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Regional Development Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Security and Defence Coffee break Closing Ceremony
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Oulu 2014 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 16 November 2014
Procedure of the General Assembly General rules The wish to speak is indicated by raising the Committee placard. Each committee may use only one Committee placard. The authority of the Board is absolute. Procedure and time settings 1. Presenting of the Motion for a Resolution 2. Presenting of the Friendly Amendments 3. Reading of the operative clauses 4. Three minutes to defend the Motion for a Resolution 5. Three minutes to attack the Motion for a Resolution 6. One minute to respond to the Attack Speech 7. General debate 8. Three minutes to sum up the debate 9. Voting procedure 10. Announcing the votes Friendly Amendment A last-minute modification to the Motion for a Resolution by the Proposing Committee. Amendments are to be handed in to the Board at least two Resolutions before the Resolution in question, or as soon as possible for the first Resolutions of the General Assembly. Point of Personal Privilege Request for a Delegate to repeat a point that was inaudible. Failure to understand the language being spoken does not make for a Point of Personal Privilege. Direct Response Once per debate, each Committee may use the Direct Response sign. Should a Delegate raise the sign during the open debate, he/she will immediately be recognised by the Board and given the floor as soon as the point being made is concluded. A Direct Response can only be used to refer to and discuss the point made directly beforehand. If two or more Direct Responses are requested at once, the Board will decide which Committee to recognise. In this case, the second Direct Response shall only be held if it can be referred to the first Direct Response, so on and so forth.
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Point of Order These can be raised by the Chairperson if a Delegate feels the Board have not properly followed parliamentary procedure. Ultimately, the authority of the Board is absolute. Defence Speech One member of the Proposing Committee delivers the Defence Speech from the podium. It is used to explain the rationale of the overall lines of the Resolution and convince the Plenary that the Resolution is worthy of being adopted. This speech can last a maximum of three minutes. Attack Speech An individual Delegate from a Committee other than that proposing the Resolution at hand delivers an Attack Speech from the podium. It reflects an individual opinion and is used to point out the flaws of the approach taken by the Proposing Committee and should propose alternative solutions. This speech can last a maximum of three minutes. Summation Speech One or two members of the Proposing Committee deliver the Summation Speech from the podium; the microphone can only be passed once. It is used to summarise the debate, respond to main, selected criticism and to once more explain why the chosen approach is the most sensible. This speech can last a maximum of three minutes.
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ON HUMAN RIGHTS
With the number of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants steadily increasing in the EU, how should the EU better control its external borders whilst respecting human rights? Submitted by:
Annika Antikainen (Etelä-Tapiolan lukio), Rebecca Hannén (Vörå idrottsgymnasium), Suvi Jaakkola (Oulun lyseon lukio), Niko Korva (Enontekiön erälukio), Neea Kylmänen (Vaalan lukio), Rebekka Pahkala (Oulun lyseon lukio), Pinja Pohjola (Oulun Suomalaisen Yhteiskoulun lukio), Laura Pöyskö (Oulun lyseon lukio), Elina Sassi (Haukiputaan lukio), Ina Vahteri (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio), Saskia Kiiski (Chairperson, FI), Léa Le Coq (Chairperson, FR)
The European Youth Parliament, A. Alarmed by the increasing number of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers in Southern European countries such as Greece and Italy, already burdened by the economic crisis, B. Viewing with appreciation Frontex1 coordination of the external boarders of the Union, C. Noting with concern the influx of people escaping their native countries due to recent conflicts such as the Syrian Civil War, D. Further concerned that people fleeing their home countries are pursuing dangerous routes to gain access to Europe, E. Aware of the Dublin II Regulation2 that gives Member States the right to return asylum seekers to the country through which they first entered the EU, F. Bearing in mind the difficulties and expenses associated with the maintenance of asylum centres and border control, G. Deeply concerned by the poor conditions in asylum centres, H. Keeping in mind that the asylum application process can be laborious for all parties concerned, I.
Observing that it is difficult for asylum seekers and illegal immigrants to integrate into a society with growing xenophobia and racism;
Frontex is the European Union agency for external border security. It is responsible for co-ordinating the activities of the national border guards in ensuring the security of the EU's borders with non-Member States. 2 The Dublin II Regulation is EU law that determines which Member State is responsible for examining an application for asylum seekers seeking international protection under the Geneva Convention and the EU Qualification Directive, within the European Union. 1
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1. Requests Members States to support the different asylum centres in the EU through volunteers and financial support; 2. Encourages Member States to welcome asylum seekers by incentivising them through financial support after they have reached a certain amount of accepted applications; 3. Urges dividing the responsibility for asylum seekers across the EU by allocating each asylum seeker to a country which would ultimately be responsible for them; 4. Demands Member States to provide thorough integration strategies for asylum seekers and illegal immigrants by implementing activities that support diversity; 5. Trusts and supports the current rescue operations of Frontex such as those carried out in the Mediterranean; 6. Encourages further research into technology in order to improve border control systems the costs of which would be shared between EU countries.
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ON CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAI RS
The democratic deficit: The turnout in the elections of the European Parliament has gradually decreased, reaching the all-time low 42,54% in the 2014 elections. Going beyond mere information campaigns, how best should the EU fix its democratic deficit and restore the enthusiasm of its citizens for the European project? Submitted by:
Jenni Kalliokoski (Vaalan lukio), Oskari Kanervo (Oulun Suomalaisen Yhteiskoulun lukio), Roosa Kesonen (Haukiputaan lukio), Niko Kolehmainen (Tornion yhteislyseon lukio), Amanda Lindahl (Vörå idrottsgymnasium), Senni Martikainen (Iisalmen lukio), Charlotta Lahnalahti (Vice President, FI), Nina Huovinen (Chairperson, FI)
The European Youth Parliament, A. Emphasising that the European Parliament is the only directly elected body of the EU, B. Observing that voter turnout varies drastically between Member States3, C. Recognising that the biggest parties get a larger vote share when more citizens abstain from voting, D. Aware that the institutional structure of the EU can be difficult to understand, E. Regretting that citizens feel distant from EU governance and fail to see the impact of EU decisions on their daily life, F. Deeply concerned that some citizens have lost faith in the EU due to negative economic growth within the Union, G. Noting with concern the negative effect youth unemployment has on the popularity of the EU, H. Believing that the European youth does not have sufficient knowledge of the EU due to lack of education, I.
Expecting long-lasting stable democracies to have higher voter turnout elections than new democracies;
1. Calls upon European Parliament to be more open to visitors; 2. Urges political parties to inform voters about the pan-European party they belong to;
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In the 2014 EP elections Slovakia’s voter turnout was 13,05% whereas Malta’s 74,8%.
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3. Invites Member States to include their citizens more closely, starting from local decision making for more direct democracy; 4. Requests the presence of a higher number of young Members of the European Parlaiment through a quota system; 5. Expresses its hope for a bigger presence of politicians in the everyday lives of citizens; 6. Supports already existing campaigns that advocate youth participation such as the It’s your Choice campaign, and the 2013 EU Year of the Citizens; 7. Encourages educational institutions to actively inform youth on decisions made in the Union; 8. Recommends the establishment of an EU Camp available to all EU citizens to share knowledge about the Union; 9. Further recommends more extensive EU education to take place in schools about: a)
the functioning of the EU,
b)
citizens’ rights,
c)
the impact of the EU on everyday life,
d)
EU foreign affairs;
10. Approves of the existing advanced technology and believes it can be further used for the benefit of raising citizen participation in politics through: a)
Member States further researching online voting systems,
b)
establishement of youth friendly institution webpages,
c)
live streaming European Parliament debates,
11. Introduces the aforementioned solutions equally in peripheries and urban areas in order to balance regional differences in voting habits.
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ON INDUSTRY , RESEARCH AND ENERGY
Creating a greener future: Following the failure of many member States to meet the targets for
renewable energy set out in 2001 and 2003, and building upon the European Commissions proposed 2030 climate and energy framework, how should the EU proceed to reduce its reliance upon fossil fuels?
Submitted by:
Emilia Kamula (Vaalan lukio), Jalmari Männistö (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio), Idalotta Nousiainen (Oulun lyseon lukio), Veera Nykänen (Iisalmen lukio), Riku Pyykkönen (Kempeleen lukio), Kaisla Richardson (Helsingin Suomalaisen Yhteiskoulun lukio), Sanna Saarnisaari (Oulun Suomalaisen Yhteiskoulun lukio), Henri Sulkava (Enontekiön erälukio), Jaakko Tihinen (Utajärven lukio), Hanna-Riikka Tohmola (Kemijärven lukio), Seraina Petersen (Chairperson, CH), Robert Suomi (Chairperson, FI)
The European Youth Parliament, A. Drawing attention to the fact that fossil fuels are estimated to run out by 2050-21004, B. Fully aware that European economies are highly reliant on fossil fuel imports, C. Deeply concerned that renewable energy production, such as solar-, hydro-, or wind- power, is more costly than non-renewable energy production, D. Noting the need for further research and development in the renewable energy sector, E. Expressing concern about insufficient awareness amongst European citizens about the current and future environmental problems caused by emissions, F. Recognising the fact that old energy infrastructure is costly to modernise, G. Taking into consideration that power plants can be disruptive to the surrounding landscape and properties; 1. Approves that Member States move towards a greener future and away from reliance on depleting fossil fuel supplies;
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Shafiee & Topal 2009
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2. Recommends the Common Customs Tariff5 to include a tariff on imported fossil fuels from outside of the European Economic Area6; 3. Further recommends Member States raise taxes on the production of non-renewable energy while lowering taxes on production of renewable energy in order to reduce the price gap; 4. Calls upon a larger proportion of the Horizon 2020 programme funds to be allocated to renewable energy research and development7; 5. Urges Member States to encourage the use of seminars in schools and workplaces to promote awareness on environmental issues; 6. Proposes the publication and dissemination of materials, namely leaflets and brochures, on environmental issues to be used in the abovementioned seminars; 7. Requests the European Commission to increase the usage of the Cohesion Fund8 to support companies involved with renewable energy in countries with older energy infrastructures; 8. Suggests restrictions on the proximity of power plants to nature conservation and urban areas.
The Common Customs Tariff (CCT) applies to the import of goods across the external borders of the EU. The EEA partnership agreement sets common rules and equal conditions of market competition for associate members including Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. 7 Horizon 2020 is the largest EU Research and Innovation programme with nearly 80 billion EUR of funding available for European research and development. 8 The Cohesion Fund is aimed at Member States whose Gross National Income per inhabitant is less than 90% of the EU average. It aims to reduce economic and social disparities and to promote sustainable development. (ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/thefunds/cohesion/index_en.cfm) 5 6
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ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIA L AFFAIRS
In the context of the economic crisis, many graduates from Southern and Eastern Europe are moving to the more stable labour market of Northern countries. This phenomenon is leading to both a reduction of job opportunities in the destination countries and a worsening of the educational system in the areas affected by the so called brain drain. What measures can the EU adopt in order to tackle this issue without hindering the spreading of knowledge? Submitted by:
Hanne Juntunen (Iisalmen lyseon lukio), Anni Koukkari (Vaalan lukio), Venla Kärkimaa (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio), Aurora Loukusa (Oulun lyseon lukio), Alisa Piirainen (Oulun lyseon lukio), Ilse Sarkkinen (Oulun suomalaisen yhteiskoulun lukio), Susanna Suomela (Madetojan musiikkilukio), Iida Teriö (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio), Linda Turpeinen (Helsingin suomalaisen yhteiskoulun lukio), Viivi Veijola (Oulun suomalaisen yhteiskoulun lukio), Sébastien Lefèvre (Chairperson, BE), Lotta Moisala (Chairperson, FI)
The European Youth Parliament, A. Observing that in 2013 over 7 million EU citizens worked and lived in an EU country other than their own9, B. Convinced labour mobility is one of the EU’s main assets, however, when unilateral can result in disparities, C. Noting with concern the long-term consequences of brain drain such as low economic growth especially in Southern and Eastern European countries, D. Aware of 90% of companies founded in 201210 being businesses in low value-added sectors, such as restaurants and clothing stores, indicating that job creation in high value-added sectors was diminished, E. Fully alarmed by the fact that the countries hit hardest by the economic crisis, continue to suffer from economic problems due to:
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i)
investment in emigrants’ education,
ii)
outflow of work force, especially in the fields of science, medicine and engineering,
European Commission Press Release September 2014 on Labour Mobility Euractiv: Brain Drain: A new challenge for the Eurozone.
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F. Noting with satisfaction that the EU Cohesion Policy, consisting of the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), aims at decreasing economic and social disparities between the Member States, G. Recognising the need to find measures to stop the reduction of job opportunities in the destination countries without interfering with citizens’ right to move to and work freely in another Member State; 1. Requests Member States invest in building networks between students and local companies in order to incorporate graduates with regional labour life; 2. Expresses its hope for university professors to attend already existing EU-wide exchange programs such as the Erasmus+11 to promote the spreading of knowledge, and transform the brain drain into brain exchange; 3. Recommends national governments, with the help of ERDF, to support innovative pan-European research projects, such as the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI)12, in order to create demand for highly educated graduates; 4. Further recommends the attraction of foreign investment to Southern and Eastern European countries in order to create job opportunities; 5. Encourages new student founded SMEs to enter the market by raising awareness on available funds, such as the Structural Funds of the Cohesion Policy.
Erasmus+ is an exchange program for students and teachers in higher education funded by the EU. ELI is an EU-funded research project, which has established multiple research hubs especially in the Eastern European countries attracting researches throughout the whole Europe. 11 12
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ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Building the periphery: mechanisms such as the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund have played an important role in developing the peripheral areas of Europe, however they are also costly. Keeping in mind that metropolitan areas are the primary motors for growth, how should the EU best support its peripheral areas to suit the needs of their population? Submitted by:
Frida Ahonen (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio), Anna Anttila (Helsinkin Suomalainen yhteiskoulu), Samuli Juntti (Tornion yhteislyseon lukio), Eva Kastenbauer (DE), Kaisa Kotkajärvi (Helsingin Suomalaisen yhteiskoulun lukio), Milja Mehtonen (Iisalmen lukio), Aino Myllymäki (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio), Nils Matti Näkkäläjärvi (Enontekiön erälukio), Carin Saastamoinen (Oulun lyseon lukio) , Henriikka Hakala (Chairperson, FI), Milan Mag (Chairperson, HU)
The European Youth Parliament, A. Bearing in mind the budget of the Cohesion Policy (CP) 13, €351,8 billion, is over a third of the total EU budget between 2014-2020, B. Aware of the fact that metropolitan areas form the backbone of the EU economy, C. Realising that the less-developed infrastructure of the peripheral areas restricts access to public services, D. Alarmed by the recession of public services in some peripheral areas, which has an affect on the standard of living of citizens, E. Deeply concerned about the current unemployment rate in peripheral areas, F. Noting with regret that peripheral areas attract less investments, G. Believing that the decision-makers at the national level lack sufficient knowledge on the development of rural areas, H. Emphasising the importance of transparency regarding the political decisions made at the EU level, I.
Expecting that the economic and social disparities between the regions may lead to an increase in the popularity of radical parties within the society,
The Cohesion Policy aims at reducing the regional economic and social disparities in Europe mainly through the structural funds, such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). 13
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J.
Observing that the devolution of peripheral areas will threaten the preservation of cultural characteristics of the respective areas;
1. Expresses its hope that additional support for peripheral areas will not affect metropolitan areas negatively; 2. Endorses projects such as the Europe 2020 Project Bond Initiative14, that enables the infrastructural development of rural as well as metropolitan areas; 3. Urges Member States to ensure the availability of basic public services in peripheral areas; 4. Recommends municipal leaders of peripheral areas harmonise locally available educational opportunities with relevant industries to help youth transition into local jobs; 5. Requests Member States to make rural areas more attractive to investors by introducing tax incentives for companies; 6. Invites the EU to continue to support start-up companies through Structural Funds; 7. Further recommends Member States enable citizens of peripheral areas to directly communicate with political representatives and take part in local policy making by expanding digital infrastructure; 8. Supports the existing EU initiatives and funds regarding the promotion of culture.
The Europe 2020 Project Bond Initiative aims to revive and expand capital markets to finance large European infrastructure projects in the fields of transport, energy and information technology. 14
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ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE
East versus West: With tensions between Russia and Western countries at its highest since the Cold War, how should European states respond to Russia’s growing threat on post-Soviet states and what role should the EU play in striving to uphold a diplomatic resolve to the situation? Submitted by:
Elias Id (Kempeleen lukio), Mikaela Karppelin (Vörå idrottsgymnasium), Santeri Kirkkala (Enontekiön erälukio), Alina Kyllönen (Oulun lyseon lukio), Linnea Määttänen (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio), Oskari Parkkinen (Haukiputaan lukio), Miro Penttinen (Olarin lukio), Milka Rämö (Tornion yhteislyseon lukio), Aino Röyskö (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio), Teijo Törmänen (Oulun Suomalaisen Yhteiskoulun lukio), Anni Vakkuri (Oulun Suomalaisen Yhteiskoulun lukio), Rebecca Smith (Vice President, FR), Martin Ollinen (Chairperson, FI)
The European Youth Parliament, A. Drawing attention to the fact that recent actions by Russia, including border violations, the annexation of Crimea, and involvement in the conflict in East Ukraine, can be interpreted as aggressive towards post-Soviet States, B. Noting that the European Neighbourhood Policy15 (ENP) has not been fully implemented in these states due to pressure from Russia to reject further integration with the EU, C. Aware that the sanctions imposed by the EU and Russia on each other have a negative impact on the economies of both parties, D. Regretting that the consequences of the EU’s unified sanctions on Russia are affecting its Member States unequally, E. Alarmed by the suspected war crimes and human rights violations committed by all actors involved in the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, F. Concerned about EU dependence on gas and oil imported from Russia; 1. Calls for a special meeting between the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Russian foreign minister concerning the following topics: a)
A solution to the current crisis in Eastern Ukraine,
The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was developed in 2004, with the objective of avoiding the emergence of new dividing lines between the enlarged EU and our neighbours and instead strengthening the prosperity, stability and security of all. It is based on the values of democracy, rule of law and respect of human rights. 15
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b)
Their respective relationships and agreements with post-Soviet States,
c)
Their relationship with each other, in the framework of the four common spaces16;
2. Affirms the continuation of the current actions of the ENP; 3. Recommends withholding forming new relationships under the ENP until the tension between the EU and Russia has decreased; 4. Encourages the current economic sanctions against Russia and their continuation; 5. Further calls for the European Commission to discuss allocating funds to Member States suffering from aforementioned sanctions; 6. Supports the work of Human Rights observation groups in conflict areas by, facilitating their work whenever possible, and using their findings in decision-making and negotiations; 7. Expresses the need to decrease the reliance on gas and oil imported from Russia, by importing shale gas from the USA, and investing in renewable energy sources and clean technology.
At the St. Petersburg Summit in May 2003, the EU and Russia agreed to reinforce their cooperation by creating in the long term four ‘common spaces’ in the framework of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and on the basis of common values and shared interests. They cover the following: common economic space, common space of freedom security and justice, common space of external security and the common space of research and education. 16
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