Assembλed | 30th National Selection Conference of EYP Greece

assembλed

Marianna Georgiadi (GR) Chrysanthi Koniou (GR) Dimitris Davris (GR) Katerina Stavri (CY/GR) Adi Grishaj (AL) Natasa Antalaki (GR) Nikos Avramidis (GR) Iker Bengoetxea de Tena (ES) Panagiotis Chatzistratis (GR) Athina Firtinidou (GR) Nikos Koukovinos (GR) Anastasia Ntracha (GR) Kostina Prifti (AL) Einar Stefansson (NO) Kalliopi Terzidou (GR)

Due to a mishap the following article was not included in the “Time to Taλk” leaflet, so here you go: EMPL I absolutely met the expectations they raised yesterday. During committee work, they tackled one of the most important issues concerning our generation: youth unemployment. Extremely well-informed and often going back to the roots of the current crisis, this group of thoughtful and committed youngsters managed to made an accurate analysis of the situation and find realistic solutions to the problems we face.

If it were upon them, unemployment rates would hardly be as high as they actually are.

That blue placard

General Assembly-day already and chairs are waving their colorful placards all around the amphitheater keeping the atmosphere intense. But there is one single placard often being put in the margin by several delegates; the blue one that reads as Direct Response. That placard often intimidates delegates, but the use of it can be extremely helpful and contribute to the proper flow of the debate. A correctly used direct response can either be contradictory or complementary on the previously held point. So delegates go out there and use this placard with no fear, and contribute to the wellbeing of the General Assembly procedure.

How to: survive while your committee is presenting When your committee’s name is called, and “you are recognized” breath and try not to fall while walking up to the podium. Ensure that you have a sufficient number of points in your hands and always clap as hard as you can when speeches from your committee’s members are being delivered. If you are answering a round of open debate, quickly grab the post-its others give you. Finally, while holding the microphone, find a second to be still and make sure your journo takes a proper photo of you.

The life of a placard There I lay patiently, enjoying the breeze coming from the open door of the GA venue. All of a sudden, a hand grips me firmly and within the next minute I am being waved intensely. The grip loosens; I now hear the voice of a girl supporting the protection of human rights. I sense the slight trembling in her voice paired with excitement. An outburst of enthusiastic clapping suddenly prevails filling me with pride for another great speech. The truth is that if you check close enough you will see me smiling as I am up in the air again.

Feel free to evolve!

In the windy Thessaloniki the third and last day of the λ’ session has started: Delegates holding resolution booklets, organizers running all over the place, chairs trying to loosen up their delegates and journalists struggling to finish their articles. The GA started with a hectic atmosphere while the delegates try to implement what they have learnt and shape what has been discusses during committee work. It does not matter if you feel confident or hesitant. What matter is that they all have a chance to view different perspectives in many different current European issues and evolve through the GA procedure.

“I believe we should all be opposed to the margin and make a change.”

Elisavet, DROI I

“It is of course an issue that we need to take into consideration. For example Roma people are one of the largest minorities, and some of them have been accepted and made their way in life, proing that it’s possible. Racism is cruel.”

Athina, DROI I

“People should not have labels, we are all humans and we should all be equal.”

Aggeliki, DROI I

“We should respect all, regardless of their life choices and backgrounds”

Dimitra, FEMM

to

ing

Co m

on

er n

is

? ht

rig

Is Int

A

eG

Th

access a human

ITRE with an extra bit of courage and more than enough enthusiasm, achieved to make a point out of Internet illiteracy, thus shading light upon one of most crucial problems of our time. The delegates were eager to discuss, attack and defend as the internet is an issue directly affecting everyone. No matter the result, we can still hope on easy access to information and knowledge, as the internet is the most powerful weapon against human oppression.

an

Rafaela, EMPL I

et

“I think it’s unfair and we need to accept those people in our society”

En d

How do you feel about the margin?

Following the debates on GA day, several worthy points were raised. Delegates put a lot of effort in their resolutions living up to the expectations.

EMPL II, just for one time again proved its ability to deal with difficult situations. GA, the result of a constructive and academically qualitative Committee Work, was a great combination of academic interest togethThe GA day is here, and er with active participation, resulting the DEVE committee ap- into an interactive dialogue; the pears equally enthusiastic perfect way to end this festive and anxious. Their resolution and anniversary session. proposition opens the General Assembly, and while the committee presents its solutions, the Assembly provides inputs and critics regarding the financial investment proposed by the committee.

Regardless of the inputs and the critTeam spirit is at its ics, the General Assembly majorbest.

And so is the level ly voted for the passing of the of nervousness.

A delegate resolution proposed by stumbles onto the stage. The the DEVE committee. president makes a dry comment.

Everybody bursts into laughter. One delegate makes a provocative statement; the next one is stuck by a blackout mid-sentence. Yet another one discretely takes As if they were in a a quick look at the jury. Adrenalin real parliament, the delafter having raised the question egates debated hard on the receiving most laughter. A most alarming issues of our yawn. Pride. The GA is on. times. These youngsters showed that the Greek youth is by no means willing to sit down and do nothing, while poverty and inequality are rising everywhere.

GA made it clear that this is a generation of hardworking and committed people, who are ready to face problems directly and fight for the world they believe in.