LEIPZIG 2015 From tearing down walls to setting new stones
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS Vice-presidents, Chairpersons and Editors Leipzig - 80th International Session of the European Youth Parliament
The International Session in Leipzig The 80th International Session of the EYP will be held in Leipzig, Germany between 6th and 15th November 2015, under the session motto ‘From tearing down walls to setting new stones’. The event will be presided by Luca Olumets (EE). You are invited to read about her vision below. For more information on the session, please visit the official website and the Facebook page. We are now looking for 3 Vice-presidents, 12 Chairpersons and 1 or 2 Editors. Chairpersons bear significant responsibilities and play a crucial role in the success of the event. Therfore, we would be delighted if you were interested in making Leipzig 2015 an unforgettable event for the session’s participants and the entire EYP community. All members of the chairpersons’ team are required to arrive in Leipzig by Wednesday, 4th November in order to attend the training. Departures are on Sunday, 15th November. Additionally, please note that in preparation for the session, chairpersons are required to attend the Chairs’ Academic Training (CAT), that will take place between 10th and 13th September, 2015 in Berlin. Chairpersons are asked to arrive on Thursday evening. Attendance of the CAT is an integral part of a chairperson’s responsibilities. Expenses for the training will be covered by the EYP-SF and the National Organising Committee.
Message from the President Leipzig 2015 will gather bright minds and motivated people. A flagship event of the European Youth Parliament, Leipzig will offer the chance to explore the culture of the host city and provide opportunities for challenging yourselves on a larger scale. The 80th International Session of the European Youth Parliament in Leipzig will be a joyous celebration, commemorating 25 years of EYP Germany, 25 years since the German reunification, 26 years from the Fall of the Wall, and 1,000 years from the first documented mentioning of the city of Leipzig. Leipzig 2015 promises a unique historic atmosphere to work in, and I would like the participants of Leipzig 2015 to really celebrate the environment that the host city, the flagship event and its organising team offer. The organising team has worked tirelessly in making sure that Leipzig 2015 will be a one-of-a-kind experience, and I can assure you that you are in for a treat. With everything else falling perfectly in place, we are now looking for Chairpersons, Vice-Presidents and Editors to join this unique setting.
European Youth Parliament, Sophienstraße 28-29, 10178 Berlin, Germany. www.eyp.org. info@eyp.org
LEIPZIG 2015 From tearing down walls to setting new stones
A collective effort Leipzig 2015 will be a session driven by actions rather than big words. Leipzig 2015 will not be a project where you are expected to follow a strict set of goals and ideas; the session will be a collective effort. The motto “From tearing down walls to setting new stones” aids in breaking patterns and improving on existing ones. Furthermore, the theme of the session ‘Fundamental Rights in Europe’ complements the session motto. It not only highlights a promising academic concept and allows for engagement in a political discussion of fundamental rights of a citizen, but the theme also creates a framework for a common vision of equality and respect, where everyone is reminded of their rights to be an active citizen and voice their opinions. Everyone is encouraged to take ownership of their work and the session in general, to contribute to a learning experience for yourselves and others, and to reach individual goals while working towards a common one. As everything we do in the European Youth Parliament is voluntary, it is imperative that everyone knows that their contribution to the session is what will make the session. I would like to see the participants be proud of what they have achieved at Leipzig 2015.
The Team Leipzig 2015 aims to enrich the experience of delegates, provide them with the motivation that is further enhanced by our own enriched experiences. I will make sure to provide you with the correct tools and a stimulating environment where you can pursue personal development goals and aim for high academic quality. In chairpersons, I am looking for ambition, leadership experience, and passion for development. I would make sure to support you individually in your goals, and give you the freedom you need in developing a personal approach. As for vice-presidents, I am interested in your leadership skills, training experience, and your ability to support and motivate the officials of the session. As an editor, you will be given a platform where you can fulfil your vision and complement the overall aims of the session. In editorial applications, I am interested to find out how you aim to contribute to the academic quality of Leipzig 2015, successfully utilise the skillset of your team, and how your output enriches the participants’ experience. Moreover, you will be given the chance to run the very first Media Team Academic Training (MAT) prior to the session. At the training you can already start working on your team’s internal and external goals and impact on the session. I would like to hear your thoughts on how you would incorporate MAT in your vision. In return for your commitment and hard work, together we will create an environment that is not only challenging, but also highly rewarding and exciting. Leipzig 2015 will bring out the best in you, and represent the best of EYP. I would be delighted to have you be part of the 80th International Session of the EYP in Leipzig, Germany! Best wishes, Luca Olumets President of the 80th International Session of the European Youth Parliament
European Youth Parliament, Sophienstraße 28-29, 10178 Berlin, Germany. www.eyp.org. info@eyp.org
LEIPZIG 2015 From tearing down walls to setting new stones
Media Team Academic Training Recently, many International Session media teams have been working towards a more diverse media experience and a higher quality output of their work. The standards for EYP media teams have risen and today include different kinds of media, different styles of coverage, and projects contributing to the learning experience of the delegates. Despite this, the time for preparations and interactive contributions by the media team in the preparation of the session is often very short. The Media Academic Training (MAT) for Leipzig is designed to tackle these challenges and enable all media team members to prepare for the session together. At the MAT, the selected members of the media team will have the possibility to get to know each other, get a training on their tasks during the session, as well as plan their work ahead. A specific focus during the MAT will be on the academic preparations ahead of the session, to ensure that also the media team members can contribute to the session topics and support the learning experience of the delegates during the session. The selected editors will be involved in the planning and running of the MAT, taking place simultaneously with the CAT.
Selection Criteria According to the EYP policies, the Selection panel is looking for candidates with the following qualities: For Chairpersons: i. Excellent English language skills; ii. Good knowledge of and interest in European issues; iii. High sense of responsibility, expressed motivation and commitment to further EYP’s objectives; iv. Previous group facilitation and EYP experience; v. Good planning and organisational skills; vi. Ability to lead a group and good understanding of group dynamics; vii. Ability to work as a member of a team and with individuals from various cultural and socio-eco- nomic backgrounds; viii. Creativity and personal vision for the role desirable. Additionally for Editors: i. A clear vision and plan for the media team and its output; ii. Excellent leadership skills and understanding of group dynamics; iii. Creativity in all aspects of the work of the media team; iv. Previous media team experience; v. Ability to critically assess contemporary media production technologies. For Vice-Presidents: i. Excellent English language skills; ii. Excellent knowledge of and interest in European issues; iii. High sense of responsibility, expressed motivation and commitment to further EYP’s objectives; iv. Substantial facilitation experience at EYP events including a minimum of one International Session attended as a chair; European Youth Parliament, Sophienstraße 28-29, 10178 Berlin, Germany. www.eyp.org. info@eyp.org
LEIPZIG 2015 From tearing down walls to setting new stones
v. Very good planning and organisational skills; vi. Excellent leadership skills and advanced understanding of group dynamics as well as ability to provide feedback; vii. Ability to work as a member of a team and with individuals from various culturaland socio-eco nomic backgrounds; viii. A solid understanding of the EYP and a strong personal vision for the role; ix. Training experience: ability to plan, run and evaluate training modules; x. Ability to represent EYP in an official capacity; xi. A sense of awareness of one’s own strengths and weaknesses in the role. The overall team will also present a cohesive and suitable balance of nationality, gender and levels of experience. Applicants should be aware that failure to be selected is no reflection on their talent or ability to be part of an International Session chairpersons’ team. The Selection panel will consider first the individuals who have applied for the position and thereby thoroughly go over all the applications, following the guidelines given by the Governing Body. The Panel will consist of the Session President Luca Olumets, the past session president Oğulcan Torun and a member of the Governing Body Magnus Hall. Upon request by the Session President and the National Organising Commitee, the Governing Body has decided to conduct a trial in relation to the Policy on the Selection of International Session Officials. A representative of the NOC will sit on the Selection panels for the chairpersons’ team and the media team of Leipzig 2015, with powers and responsibilities equal to the panel members currently listed on articles 11 and 15 of the Policy. A full rationale of the trial has been sent to the BNC. The NOC on the chairpersons’ team panel will be represented by Alexandre Narayanin as the Head-organiser of the session. A recommendation to cover the role of a Chairperson or Vice-President is a prerequisite to be considered for the selection of the respective roles. In order to be selected as Editor, please note that the candidate must at least have a chairperson recommendation. Editor recommendations are not considered as a prerequisite. However candidates with press team experience will be prioritised in the selection. In case you are unsure if you are eligible to apply, you can check your recommendations and individual evaluation forms with your previous Chair(s)/ President(s) or by contacting the Human Resources Officer of the EYP at hr@eyp. org. The selection will only begin once the application deadline is over.
How to apply? If you are available and interested in attending the session, you should do the following steps to apply: 1. Log on to the EYP Alumni platform (if you do not have access or encounter any other problems, please get in touch with support@eyp.org). 2. Update your profile on the platform. Please make sure your full name, country, nationality and contact information are available and updated.
European Youth Parliament, Sophienstraße 28-29, 10178 Berlin, Germany. www.eyp.org. info@eyp.org
LEIPZIG 2015 From tearing down walls to setting new stones
3. Sign up for the 80th International Session as either vice-president, chairperson or editor and fill in the “additional fields” in the application form (questions are listed below). If you wish to apply for multiple positions, please send one of your applications in pdf format to hr@eyp.org. Please include all the personal information (full name and contact details) and provide the answers to the questions in the offline application too. 4. Once you have submitted your application via the platform, please send your updated session history using the template provided on the event’s page on the Alumni platform to hr@eyp.org. Please note that this is a prerequisite for your application to be considered. 5. The deadline for submitting your application via the platform and sending in your complete session history is Monday, 22nd June at 12.00 (noon) CET.
Application questions Please note that the panel will be looking for quality rather than quantity, which is why we kindly ask all applicants to ensure that none of their answers to any of the questions below exceeds the word limit. All applicants: 1. Explain how you fulfil the criteria for the position you are applying for and support your reasoning with concrete examples (max 250 words). 2. Identify and discuss your key strengths and weaknesses as Chairperson/Vice-President/Editor and how you intend to work on the latter at the session (max 250 words). Additionally for chairpersons: 3. What is your area of interest and knowledge in European affairs? Suggest a topic you would like to facilitate at the session and explain why. (max 250 words) 4. In your view, what role does chairing play within the EYP? In what ways will delegates benefit from having you as their chairperson? (max 150 words) Additionally for Vice-Presidents: 3. What motivates you to take on a leadership position in Leipzig 2015? What do you aim to achieve in the role of a Vice-President? (max 250 words) 4. Leadership and Leipzig 2015: In your view, what does leadership by the session board entail in the context of the session? What is your understanding of providing support to the president? (max 150 words) Additionally for Editors: 3. Explain how a media team led by you would contribute to the academic and social experience of the participants of Leipzig 2015 by outlining your vision and concrete ideas for the media team and its output. Please state in your application who you would like to edit with. (no word limit) The deadline for submitting your application and sending in the updated session history is Monday, 22nd June at 12.00 (noon) CET. All the applicants will be informed individually about the outcome of the selection process. For any questions regarding the application procedure, please contact the HR Officer at hr@eyp.org. European Youth Parliament, Sophienstraße 28-29, 10178 Berlin, Germany. www.eyp.org. info@eyp.org