Cork 2021 National Session Resolution Booklet by European Youth Parliament Ireland

Cork 2021 National Session of EYP Ireland

Resolution Booklet

Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

CULT DROI ENVI IV LIBE ENVI I ITRE EMPL II ENVI II ECON DEVE EMPL ENVI III

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION (CULT) In the EU, over 60 regional or minority languages, such as Irish, are spoken by around 40 million Europeans. What can the EU and the Member States do to protect and promote the language diversity and the cultural heritage?

Submitted by:

Doireann Comiskey (Loreto Balbriggan), Brian Connolly (Clonkeen College), Sionainn Fee (St Clare’s Comprehensive), Aodhán Fox (Colaiste Cois Life), Emma Gorey (Maynooth Community College), Aibhe McBride (St Joseph’s Castlebar), Eva McCormack (Loreto Fermoy), Áine McLaughlin (Coachford College), Rian Mulcahy (St Francis Rochestown College), Jodie Somers (St. Michaels Holy Faith Secondary School), Ana Martins (PT, Chairperson).

The European Youth Parliament, A.

Taking into consideration that the European Parliamentary Research S ervice defines disrespect for regional or minority communities’ linguistic rights as racial discrimination,

Realising that most Regional or Minority Languages (RMLs) are not recognised as official languages of the EU,

Alarmed by the fact that the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML) does not recognise all RMLs equally,

Emphasising that the ECRML is only ratified by 25 of the 47 Member States of the Council of Europe, and signed by a further eight,

Aware that political tension within countries results in language minoritisation 1 ,

Noting with disapproval that many languages are not represented on the official EU website,

Noting with regret that many languages are left out of digital mediums, such as keyboard settings, translation tools and website settings,

Contemplating that an improperly constructed linguistic curriculum harms efforts of language revival, as it may cause resentment towards the language taught,

Recognising that migrants are forced to adapt to the host country’s culture, traditions, holidays, way of life and language;

1. Recommends the Council of Europe to include mandatory RMLs in Part III of the ECRML, taking into consideration the number of speakers in, and historical relevance to, Member States;

Language minoritisation refers to the act of actively suppressing a certain language, often stemming from an unequal power dynamic between the minoritised language and the majority language.

2. Further recommends the Council of Europe to implement a jury system to evaluate the inclusion of the RMLs that are still not included in the ECRML by the aforementioned clause, if their community requests so; 3. Encourages Member States to ratify and sign the reformed ECRML, with the changes brought by the two aforementioned clauses; 4. Instructs the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACAE) to set up an independent onbudsman to ensure that the non-discrimination principles of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU (CFR) and the ECRML are upheld; 5.

Urges EU political parties to employ language officers representing relevant RMLs; 6. Directs the EACAE to enhance language accessibility within EU institutions through: a)

conducting regular language accessibility inspections on official EU and EU projects’ websites,

guaranteeing that the European Court of Justice, as well as national courts, are equipped to deal with any language a citizen might request;

7. Appeals to the Creative Europe Media programme to support RMLs in the media, through: a)

promoting social media initiatives,

working with relevant public figures,

developing websites and articles about regional and minority communities’ cultures,

promoting language education podcasts and language education platforms;

Applauds the European Commission for its funding of the Digital Language Diversity project, through Erasmus+;

Suggests Member States to implement immersive language education in their school curricula, continuing from first to second-level education; 10. Seeks Member States to provide support for migrants and RML speakers through: a)

including all necessary languages in legal documentation, using a referendum to define which are the necessary languages,

making public services, such as road signs, available in any necessary language, as found in the aforementioned referendum,

providing the necessary translation services for any occasion for which it is requested,

ensuring that migrant traditions are upheld.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, DROI According to the law, all patients must be treated equally by medical professionals. Nevertheless, many patients still face discrimination when accessing and receiving care, based on their sex, gender identity, race or religion. How can Member States guarantee equal healthcare for their citizens regardless of their identity background?

Submitted by:

Kimi Cruz (Loreto Abbey Dalkey), Alethea Finnegan Quirke (St Gerards), Isabel MacDermott (Holy Faith Clontarf), Ahana Majumder (The Teresian School), Tess M Nealon (St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford), Grace O’Brien (Loreto Secondary School, Pembroke Hill), Henry O’Riordan (CBC Cork),Siobhán Rae(Firhouse Community College), Aoibh Rooney (Mercy College Sligo) Gráinne Condron (IE) Chairperson

The European Youth Parliament,

A. Acknowledging the disproportionate effects of discrimination towards racial and religious minorities, female patients, and members of the LGBTQI+ community that exist within the healthcare sector, B. Cognisant of the active bias and discrimination that may be perpetuated by medical practitioners, specialists, and consultants at all levels of European Healthcare, C. Alarmed by the presence of implicit bias within the approaches of European medical professionals and its detrimental impact on patients, D. Mindful of the skepticism that populations of racial, cultural, or religious minorities may hold regarding the COVID-19 vaccine due to systemic discrimination, language barriers, or other cultural factors, E. Endorsing the imperative need for ethnic, religious, racial, and gender-based diversity for all individuals occupying positions at all levels of the medical field, F. Aware that individual Member States vary in their discrimination legislation on the basis of sexuality, gender identity, race, ethnicity, and religion, G. Noting that the mental healthcare sector is inaccessible to many European citizens with 56% of patients with depression receiving no treatment on the basis of cultural and financial factors, H. Concerned about the shortfalls of educational materials, with a distinct lack of diversity in the most used textbooks across educational institutions in the EU, I. Recognising that many illnesses and conditions may present themselves differently between various sexes and racial groups, J. Greatly concerned by inaccessibility to a medical education due to: i) high fee payments required for entry into medical programmes,

ii) mitigating factors that deter prospective students from entering the medical field such as long hours and poor pay; 1. Calls upon the EAHM (European association of Hospital Managers), HOPE (European Hospital and Healthcare Federation) and EUHA (European University Hospital Alliance) to impose multiple penalties on practitioners who perpetuate discrimination including the confiscation of their medical licence; 2. Directs the European Commission to fund an anti-discrimination committee that will assess incident reports so that appropriate action ranging from re-education models to punitive measures may be carried out; 3. Urges the EAHM to: a) re-educate medical professionals on different discriminatory behaviors with focus on micro-aggressions, b) educate practitioners in order to foster a neutral and inclusive professional setting in medical facilities, c) propose that various anti-discriminatory programmes be made mandatory for all medical professionals regardless of position to increase awareness of discriminatory issues; 4. Invites the European Commission to work in partnership with local cultural organisations to translate the European Wide Health Service website into various languages to accommodate the multicultural nature of European society; 5. Designates EMA (European Medicines Agency) in tandem with and ENAR (European Network Against Racism) to create a COVID-19 education programme in order to combat vaccine skepticism and medical misinformation; 6. Recommends that HOPE introduces quotas that require minority group representation in all hospitals across Europe; 7. Authorises the EUA (European University Association) to renew the INVITED 2 project to ensure equity, diversity and inclusion; 8. Implores the ECHR (European Court of Human Rights) to affirm that transgender individuals fall within the scope of equality and non-discrimination protection under Article 14 ECHR; 9. Calls upon the EPA (European Psychiatric Association) to substantially increase funding to the mental health sector at both an EU and at a national level; 10. Invites the Directorate-General for Communication to embark on an EU-wide informative campaign to alleviate stigma surrounding mental health conditions within Member States; 11. Strongly encourages the European Research Council to conduct case studies of certain disorders and conditions and how they may manifest differently with attention to the populations of individual Member States; 12. Calls upon EMA (European Medicines Agency) to: a) provide resources to all medical personnel on on how to treat and recognise varying presentations of diseases in all ethnicities and sexes, 2

The INVITED project aims to improve conditions for marginalised communities to promote inclusion in universities.

13. 14.

15. 16.

b) ensure that all medicines are tested on a wide range of ethnicities and sexes during clinical trials; Calls upon the European Commission to facilitate the Erasmus Mundus programme to introduce scholarships for students from less privileged socioeconomic backgrounds; Asks the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) to lobby Member States for the funding of the EMSA (European Medical Students' Association) in order to achieve higher pay and facilitate more accessible hours for student doctors; Encourages European medical educational institutions to set equitable fees based on their students financial background and income stability; Calls upon the Directorate General for Communication and local governments to establish a EU-wide forum in order to match local doctors to patients based on their specific identities and backgrounds.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND FOOD SAFETY (ENVI

IV) “The EU introduced the Clean Energy For All package in 2019 with the intention of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. How can Member States increase cross-border and regional cooperation to ensure that all Member States have the opportunity to invest in and to improve their clean energy technologies?”

Submitted by:

Didier Bolger (Ardscoil Na Mara), Moya Collins (Scoil Mhuire, Trim), Fearghal Desmond (CBC Cork), Michael Maradesa (St. Patricks College Cavan), Sadhbh Nic Artáin (Holy Faith Secondary School Clontarf), Maya Orpin (Rathdown School), Ailbhe Ryan (Loreto Secondary School Fermoy), Daniel Michael Walshe (St. Brendans Community School), Anya Wilson (St. Mary’s College Arklow), Pilvi Kilpeläinen (Chairperson, FI).

The European Youth Parliament, A. Recognising that Member States are suited to different Renewable Energy Sources (RES) 3 depending on regional climate and the available natural resources, B. Taking into consideration Member States’ differing shares of RES, C. Bearing in mind the importance of preserving biodiversity, habitats and carbon sinks due to their environmental benefits, D. Deeply concerned by the excessive use of fossil fuels to speed economic growth, E. Acknowledging the importance of investment in new and a varying range of RES and techno l o gies in order to aid recovery from climate change, F. Taking into consideration that the need for support in switching to a greener economy depends on the Member States’ financial state and reliance on fossil fuels, G. Recognising that the behaviour and practices of industries must change radically in order to reduce carbon emissions, H. Emphasising the benefits such as economic growth of collaborative initiatives between Member States, I.

Fully aware that workers may lose their jobs or may need to change jobs due to the transition from non-renewable to RES,

J. Recognising the disadvantages of certain RES, such as the land occupation impacts associated with wind turbines and solar photovoltaic power, K. Taking into account that industry is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases,

Renewable energy sources (RES), also referred to as clean energy sources, are generated from the earth’s renewable natural resources. 3

L. Concerned that Member States can cause monopolies of green technologies which can lead to high prices rendering certain technologies unaffordable;

1. Encourages Member States to increase the funding of the development of and research into RES; 2. Calls upon Member States’ Ministries of Education to increase knowledge on the green transition by introducing them into their national education curriculas; 3. Encourages Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to educate the public on the green transition through establishing media campaigns focused on clean energy technologies; 4. Calls upon the Directorate-General for the Environment to increase research on green technologies by increasing funding for research on energy storage and novel renewable energy technologie s; 5. Encourages Member States to use the research to determine best practices to preserve and use available land to sink carbon; 6. Asks the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion to support Member States’ companies in implementing training programmes to reskill displaced workers; 7. Invites the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) to invest in methods tackling pollution caused by RES such as recycling industrial materials; 8. Appeals to Member States to implement an increase in carbon tax within their next national budget; 9. Calls upon Member States to increase carbon tax for multinational corporations who fail to commit to carbon neutrality; 10. Encourages Member States to demand NGOs to publish detailed reports on their emissions throughout all sections of industry; 11. Recommends the European Commission to provide financial incentives to help safeguard habitats; 12. Requests the European Commission to implement financial incentives and support based on a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analysis of each Member State’s circumstances regarding the green transition; 13. Recommends Member States to allocate a suitable percentage of their GDP to green energy per annum; 14. Urges the European Commision to introduce sanctions on countries that fail to meet the targets laid out in the Paris Climate Accords; 15. Encourages Member States to initiate further collaborative energy projects similar to the collaboration of Sweden and Norway within the next five years; 16. Urges Member States to share best practices in the transition towards a green economy through research bodies, conferences and open meetings.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS (LIBE) “In 2015, 3000 children were given up for adoption in Croatia, but only 100 children found new families due to the complicated legal status of the children and the adoption laws. How can Member States ensure the welfare of children given up for adoption while also making it easier for potential caregivers to adopt?”

Submitted by:

Benita Bennis (Manor House School, Raheny), Isaac Bruse (Royal and Prior Comprehension School), Kate Freeman (Presentation Secondary School-Wexford), Lenya Geßner, Róisín Ní Chadhla (Ardscoil na Mara), Robyn Normoyle (St.Mary’s Secondary School), Elena O’Connor (Muckross Park College), Robert Palmer (Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh), Eleni Chrysafi (Chairperson, GR).

The European Youth Parliament, A. Cognisant that the adoption procedure can offer a stable family environment to children, B. Alarmed by the negative impact institutional care 4 can have on childrens’ development and mental and physical health, C. Noting with concern that only twelve children for every 100,000 people are adopted annually, D. Recognising the lack of awareness amongst EU citizens regarding the adoption proce ss, E. Regretting the social stigma associated to institutionalisation and adoption caused by cultural and religious disparities, F. Taking into consideration heavy bureaucracy, financial demands and extensive procedural stages might deter potential caregivers from adopting, G. Having observed the absence of an EU wide regulatory framework regarding adoption creates legal uncertainty for adoptive parents that move from one Member State to another, H. Stressing the lack of systematic data collection regarding child adoptions within the EU, I.

Acknowledging that in certain Member States , such as Greece or Italy, sexuality or marital status can prevent potential caregivers from adopting,

J. Bearing in mind that only ten European countries have ratified the European Convention on the Adoption of Children 5 ;

Institutional care: residential care facilities for children that are deprived of parental care European Convention on the Adoption of Children: outlines essential provisions regarding adoption practices with the aim of ensuring that national law prioritises the protection of children’s needs and rights. 4 5

1. Encourages Member States to sign and align their natio nal legislation with the European Convention on the Adoption of Children; 2. Requests the Expert Group on the Rights of the Child to assist Member States with the: a) implementation of the European Convention on the Adoption of Children, b) creation of a financial strategy to support mental health services and underfunded adoption institutions, c) facilitation of knowledge sharing regarding international adoption; 3. Calls upon the European Commission to collaborate with Member States in developing a universal adoption policy that will: a) set out minimum provisions regarding adoption in order to simplify the process, b) standardise the legal effects of adoption across the EU, c) limit the cost of international 6 and inter-country adoption;7 d) prioritise the well-being and welfare of the child; 4. Instructs EUROSTAT to: a) outline the progress made with the implementation of the European Convention of the Adoption of Children, b) assist Member States with standardising their methods of collecting, processing and distributing adoption data; 5. Hopes other Member States follow Belgium’s footsteps regarding the legal model implemented for same-sex adoption; 6. Urges Member States’ Ministries of Health and Social Services to actively support children in institutional care through the provision of professional psychological assistance and regular check up visits; 7. Invites Member States’ Ministries of Education to integrate education on the ado ption process and its positive effects into the school curriculum; 8. Asks the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC) to raise public awareness regarding the adoption procedure and its impact through: a) the launch of a media campaign, b) the creation of an online platform that will include information regarding national adoption procedures, c) the organisation of seminars and open debates about adoption.

International adoption: adoption where the adoptive parents’ nationality is different from the child’s. Intercountry adoption: involves a change in the adopted child’s place of residence to be with its adoptive parents, regardless of the parents’ nationality. 6 7

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY

THE COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY I (ENVI I) With an increase of “(fitness) influencers” on social media, many young people are regularly confronted with unrealistic and sometimes unhealthy beauty standards and dieting advice. What can Member States do to prevent the damage it can have on young people’s health and to promote a healthier and more realistic side of social media?

Submitted by:

Ava Carroll (Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ), Síofra Delaney (The Teresian School), James Dolan (St Patrick's College), Faustyna Long (St Aloysius' College Carrigtwohill), Ella McGrath (Muckross Park College), Éabha Murphy (Scoil Mhuire College), Lara O' Sullivan (St Mary's Catholic Secondary School), Amy Sheridan (Loreto College), Eilish Victorino (St Clare's Comprehensive School), Alan McLoughlin (Chairperson, IE).

The European Youth Parliament, A. Concerned by the psychological damage to young people resulting from increased exposure to conventional beauty standards and fitness culture on social media platforms, B. Fully alarmed by insufficient levels of funding across Member States for mental health issues particularly those relating to social media and body negativity 8 , C. Seriously concerned by the sharp rise in eating disorders across younger age groups during the COVID 19 pandemic, D. Noting the inadequate levels of education in schools with respect to all aspects of social media, particularly misinformation, disguised ideology, targeting and algorithmic reinforcement, E. Further noting the insufficient level of health and fitness knowledge amongst young people, F. Cognisant of the rise in digital content enhancement compounding the negative effects of existing unrealistic beauty standards, G. Fully deploring the lack of self-regulation and moderatorship by social media platforms with respect to body positivity and fitness culture, H. Recognising the role of influencers in contributing to body negativity through: i) perpetuating unrealistic, unattainable beauty standards, ii) encouraging unhealthy, misinformed or obsessive health and fitness routines, I.

Deeply concerned by the lack of oversight by social media platforms with regard to user advertisement of weight loss products.

J. Welcoming the rise of factual, inclusive information online concerning health, fitness and body positivity, Body Negativity: This broadly defined term captures the self-conscious and shameful attitudes individuals have toward their own body and others and often coincides with feelings that others are more attractive. 8

K. Disturbed by the lack of diversity and intersectionality in media representation and targeted concern of people susceptible to eating disorders. 1. Calls on the European Commision to increase funding for Member States with the explicit purpo se of improving services relating to social media disorders, eating disorder rehabilitation & mental health hotlines; 2. Requests social media companies to increase their regulation of health and fitness related content, similar to their efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 misinformation. 3. Encourages social media platforms to improve user safety and content control; 4. Instructs the European Advertising Standard Alliance to regulate the advertisement of commercial weight reduction products across social media platforms; 5. Urges the Member States to create public media campaigns highlighting; a) the established relationship between social media usage and damage to mental health, b) the ubiquity of digital enhancement platforms,

and misinformation across social media

c) Body and beauty diversity especially as it relates to transgender indivduals, disabled people and people of colour and disabled people; 6. Requests the European Commision to expand upon the current Education and Training 2020 Framework9 to include knowledge sharing relating to social media, digital literacy and nutrition. 7. Calls upon the European Research Executive Agency to routinely commission studies examining trending weight loss methods.

A strategic framework promoting European cooperation in education and training allows Member States to exchange knowledge and best practices which can then be implemented across all levels of education. 9

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY

THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY, RESEARCH AND ENERGY (ITRE) “Projections expect the EU GDP to increase by €610 - €820 billion in 2050 if the STEM gender gap is closed. How can Member States make the STEM-industry more accessible to all citizens to improve employment and research?”

Submitted by:

Leah Bradley (St. Mary's Secondary School, Charleville), Laura Clerkin (Muckross Park College Donnybrook), Brian Donnelly (Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh), Hiba Khalid (Alexandra College), Grace Mulcahy O'Sullivan (Mount Mercy College), Ruán Murgatroyd (Templeogue College), Vlad Postolachi (Grange Community College), Laurin Stange (EYP DE), Monica Ratinen (Chairperson, FI).

The European Youth Parliament, A. Alarmed that women only make up 28% of the STEM workforce, B. Deeply concerned with the pressure female scientists face to play traditionally feminine roles, C. Considering that closing the gender gap in STEM careers would reduce the gender pay gap, D. Noting that total EU employment would increase by 350,000 by 2050 was the STEM gender gap to close, E. Noting with concern that women’s startups are underfunded, F. Concerned that many women leave full time STEM careers after having their first child, G. Noting with concern that only 12% of board members are female, despite the fact that female board members are more likely to have prior professional technological experience, H. Noting with regret that 57% of young EU women would have considered STEM if encouraged, I.

Deeply alarmed that 51% of people affected by gender stereotyping say it constrained their career choices,

J. Noting with concern the lack of women working in AI and the lack of gender-balanced datasets, resulting in gender-biased algorithms, K. Alarmed by the lack of female role models and a reinforcement of traditional stereotypes as a result of the limited female STEM representation in media, L. Aware of the unequal opportunities in STEM recruitment due to bias and stereotypes, M. Noting that the five major factors impacting girls’ interest in STEM are encouragement, mentorship, practical experience, and visible role models;

1. Requests that the Member States provide full-time STEM workers with financial support for child

care to households determined by gross annual household income; 2. Urges Member States to offer more accommodation and support for parents through adopting joint parental leave systems similar to those in place in Sweden 10 ; 3. Calls upon Member states to prohibit discriminatory practises based on gender in the workfiel d by implementing a policy similar to Iceland's Equal Pay Certification bill 11 ; 4. Directs the European Commission to provide equal educational opportunities and fair working conditions for women in STEM through financial investments in accordance with the goals of the European Pillar of Social rights; 5. Designates the Directorate General for Research and Innovation to provide grants for female startups; 6. Instructs the Directorate General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture to encourage wo m en to pursue the STEM field by providing grants for women to study STEM at tertiary level institutions; 7. Invites Member States to urge the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reduce genderbiased algorithms in AI by using equal representation of all genders in datasets funded by Ho rizon Europe; 8. Calls upon the Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content, and Technology to create free public datasets with equal representation of men and women for software development; 9. Asks Member States to increase the representation of women in all positions in STEM fields in state-sponsored media outlets; 10. Calls upon the European Commission to improve upon the #EUwomen4future scheme by: a) including EU prizes for women innovators through state- and EU-wide media outlets, b) spotlights girls that progress far in the EU Contest for Young Scientists, c) increase the social media presence, exposure and promotion of the scheme; 11. Recommends that Member States’ Ministries of Education promote women in STEM through education by: a) introducing lessons about stereotypes from an early age, b) providing training courses for teachers covering the methods of encouraging girls to pu rsue STEM fields; 12. Welcomes NGOs, such as DEWIS and Trinity Centre for Gender Equality and Leadership, to collaborate in encouraging young girls and women to enter STEM fields by: a) introducing workshops to provide girls with hands on experience in the field of STEM, b) holding open lectures regarding female role models in STEM; 13. Proposes that Member States introduce a penalty for companies that do not engage with a Blind Application and Screening process; 14. Calls upon the European Commission to include equality quotas and regular training in the Gender Joint parental leave means both parents, if employed, may take parental leave either consecutively or simultaneously. In the case of joint parental leave, the parents may choose how to split the amount of parental leave offered by themselves. In Sweden, parents are entitled to the same amount of parental leave and statistically, fathers currently average around 30 per cent of all paid parental leave closing gender gaps and ensuring equal participation and opportunities to both genders in the work field. 11 Iceland‘s Equal Pay Certification bill is a bill enforcing the current legislation in place, which prohibits discrimination based on gender. It requires that men and women be paid equal wages and adhere to equal terms of employment for doing jobs of equal value. 10

Equality Plans (GEP) required by Horizon Europe; 15. Instructs the European Institute for Gender Equality to review the measures in this resolution every five years so long as some measures are still in place.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY

THE COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS (EMPL II) “More than 25% of European workers suffer from mental illnesses or disorders. What can Member States do to support these citizens and break the stigma around mental health to also create a healthier workplace atmosphere?”

Submitted by:

Aisling Comiskey (Loreto Balbriggan), Stephen Gallagher (St.Joseph's Secondary School), Gormlaith Mac Conghail (Coláiste Oiriall), Mary MacCartáin (St Brendan's Community School), Dylan McBrien (Coláiste Éanna), Sinéad O’Reilly (Loreto Wexford), Magnus Tee Hann (North Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School), Linda van der Werf (DE), Anna Crisp (Chairperson, DK).

The European Youth Parliament, A. Deeply disturbed by the lack of current concrete guidelines for the implementation of mental health policy across Member States, B. Concerned by the variance in the approaches taken by Member States regarding mental heal th in the workplace, C. Regretting that the costs of mental health problems are estimated to be more than 4% GDP across Member States, D. Alarmed that spending on addressing poor mental health amounts to only 1% of healthcare spending across Member States, E. Applauding the EU Compass for Action on Mental Health 2015-2018 and European Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 initiated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for highlighting the importance of tackling mental health in the workplace, F. Emphasising that 19.5% of all mental illnesses and disorders experienced in the workplace in Member States are related to depression and anxiety, G. Deeply alarmed by the fact that less than 30% of organisations and companies have procedures for dealing with workplace stress, H. Noting with regret that European workers suffering from mental health issues are twice as likely than their counterparts to face unemployment, I.

Deeply concerned by the lack of support for those in unemployment after recovering from poor mental health and mental illnesses or disorders;

1. Calls upon the European Commission to create policy guidelines on tackling mental heal th in the workplace to be adapted across Member States; 2. Hopes Member States will collaborate and share best practices surrounding mental health policy in

the workplace through: a) showcasing the positive results of changes in policy through an annual convention, b) highlighting policy shortcomings and how they can be improved; 3. Endorses the WHO European Region to create a new European Mental Health Action Plan 12 , building upon previous 2013-2020 Action Plan; 4. Asks companies and organisations to facilitate mental health-related training for employees in addition to employee training already in place covering: a) education on supporting those with poor mental health, and mental illness and disorders, b) the recognition of depression and anxiety, and the struggles associated with treating and living with those conditions; 5. Encourages Member States to support the return to work through accompanying Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT)13 and phased CBT; 6. Welcomes the European Commission to facilitate new reports demonstrating the impact of poor mental health and the benefits of providing adequate support to European workers foll o wing the model of the EU Compass for Action on Mental Health and Well -being 2015-2018; 14 7. Invites companies and organisations to implement designated paid mental health leave; 8. Urges Members States to: a)

facilitate national annual conventions for companies and organisations to share best practices on tackling mental health in the workplace,

promoting mental health awareness;

9. Suggests Member States to strengthen the protection of rights of employees suffering from mental health related issues; 10. Requests Member States to create programmes for the rehabilitation of employees re -entering the workplace after mental health leave.

European Mental Health Action Plan: is a report published by the WHO outlining objectives for action in Europe when tackling mental health. 13 Cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT): is a method of treatment focusing on the individual's thoughts and feelings and aims to help the individual learn coping mechanisms. 14 EU compass for mental health: an initiative by the European Commission that collected, exchanged, and analysed information concerning policies and activities connected to mental health 12

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH AND

FOOD SAFETY II (ENVI II) “Following the introduction of the EU’s School Fruit, Vegetables and Milk Scheme, what can Member States and educational facilities do to promote a healthy nutrition for children as well as tackling the increasing obesity trend?”

Submitted by:

Eoin Doyle (Carrigaline Community School), Ana Gayubo Kinch (Lucan Community College), Darragh Langtry (St.Patrick's College Cullies), Katie Loughrey (Scoil Mhuire Community School), Owen Mamo Cooney (Colaiste an Spioraid Naoimh), Caoimhe McCabe (Loreto College Cavan), Paul Mehler, Aoife O'Sullivan (St Marys Secondary School Mallow), Kelly Wilson (Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Gortnor Abbey), Katie Kiely (IE, Chairperson)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Deeply concerned that thirty three million people in Europe are considered malnourished, B. Emphasises that some food manufacturers do not provide clear nutritional information on food packaging resulting in confusion for consumers, C. Cognisant that the fast food industries target youth in their advertisements specifically, D. Regretting the lack of public acknowledgement regarding weight-gaining eating disorders, E. Bearing in mind the transition to healthy eating might impose financial burdens on low income families at first, F. Having observed the financial costs of eating healthy outweighs the costs of unhealthy eating in the long run when the medical expenses for obesity-related diseases are taken into account, G. Aware of the lack of information available to current and potential parents regarding healthy nutrition, H. Celebrates Sweden and Finland’s efforts in providing free school meals to all pupils under the project “European Healthy School Lunches”, I.

Conscious that nutritional education schemes across Member States have disparity in levels of: i)

effectiveness in educating children on healthy eating habits,

ii) financial support available, J. Welcomes the Sustainable Development Goals that aim to ensure Good Health and Wellbeing;

1. Supports the extension of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations 15 efforts in to the treatment and prevention of malnutrition with their integrated multi-sectoral approach; 2. Encourages the Health Department of Member States to offer additional mental health and well being support to the citizens struggling with weight-gaining eating disorders; 3. Asks the Steering Group on Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Management of Non Communicable Diseases to contribute to the fight against obesity related diseases by: i.

advising Member States to formally recognise obesity as a disease,

ii.

providing additional information on obesity on their Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Knowledge Gateway 16 ;

4. Directs the European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA) to encourage consumption of heal thy food by: i.

regulating fast food advertising targeting youth,

ii.

providing information regarding the negative effects of an unhealthy lifestyle thro ugh advertisements;

5. Invites Member States to promote healthy eating habits among youth by: i.

offering free healthy school meals to all students following suit of Finland and Sweden,

ii.

implementing programmes such as the School Fruit, Vegetables and Milk Scheme 17 ,

iii.

introducing nutrition into their national curricula,

iv.

providing healthier food options in educational facilities;

6. Encourages Member States to increase accessibility of healthy food by implementing a subsidy card scheme for low-income families; 7. Calls upon the the Directorate-General on Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) to increase accessibility of nutritional information by: i.

creating a nutrition app for consumers to see information on their products which includes information on healthy meal plans,

ii.

introducing a pan-European traffic light food package labelling system based on the nutrition of the product;

8. Encourages Member States to increase public awareness of obesity by: i.

requiring primary care facilities to inform pregnant women about the problems obesity can cause to unborn children,

ii.

create interactive seminars on nutrition for parents, pregnant women and the general public;

9. Requests the European Commission to utilise the EU4Health Initiative 18 to help fight obesity 15

The main mission of the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations is to preserve lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering and safeguard the integrity and dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and manmade crises. 16

The European Commission's Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Knowledge Gateway acts as a reference point for public health policy makers. 17

This scheme created a legal framework in 2017 which supports the distribution of products, educational measures and information measures pertaining to healthy eating within schools across the EU. The scheme itself empowers Member States to create a six year strategy which is funded by the Commission, but led mainly by Member States themselves. 18

EU4Health is the EU’s ambitious response to COVID-19. The pandemic has a major impact on patients, medical and healthcare staff, and health systems in Europe. The new EU4Health programme will go beyond COVID-19 response to address healthcare systems’ resilience

related diseases through providing equitable funding to: i.

help alleviate the burden on medical institutions,

ii.

encourage nutritional education in Member States.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS

(ECON) “ In 2020, Apple won the €13 billion tax avoidance case against the EU which was based on the statement that it harms fair competition. What can the EU and Member States do to ensure that multinational companies do not receive tax advantages which are not available for rival or smaller companies?” Fiona Brosnan (Presentation Castleisland Church Street), Rian Conway (Coláiste Am Spioraid Naoimh), Abderrahmane El Mahmi (Coláiste Éanna), Anna Kinsella (Loreto High School Beaufort), Oran Lafferty (St.Columba's College), Lauren Mallaghan (Mount Sackville), Nikola Mielec (Convent of Mercy Secondary School), Sofia Rooney (Scoil Mhuire)

Submitted by:

The European Youth Parliament, A.

Acknowledging with deep regret that certain Member States have become 'corporate tax havens,' to Multinational Corporations (“MNCs”) considering their: i. ii.

provision of inequitably low corporate tax rates to existing companies, complacency with MNCs tax avoidance, as opposed to upholding EU tax policy,

B. Considering the ethical dilemma of unfair competition rising from the : i. dominance of large corporations within economies, ii. tax advantages given to big businesses which are not available to others, iii. lack of investment in smaller companies, C.

Deploring the lack of re-investment by MNCs into their workplaces and workforce, despite largescale tax avoidance, D. Concerned by the lack of knowledge in the general public regarding the tax advantages that all businesses are entitled to, E.

Supporting the work carried out by the EU programme for Employment and Social Innovation and the EU directive, "An Economy that works for people" in relation to taxation and fairness within economies,

Conscious of the need to support small and medium sized enterprises in order for Member States to become less reliant on international corporations, G. Alarmed by the excess influence of corporations in shaping the taxation within the EU leading the EU to lose €50 billion a year by tax evasion, H. Aware of the of inconsistencies within the EU regarding tax policy and profoundly alarmed by the legal loopholes that allow MNC's to avoid corporate taxation, I. Noting the importance of economic sovereignty for Member States and their right to regulate corporate tax,

Welcoming the recent recommendation proposed by the G7 summit19, regarding a 15% global minimum rate of corporate tax,

K. Fully conscious of the importance of MNCs to the EU's economic market, and the negative implications their relocation outside of the EU would cause, particularly in rapidly-growing sectors such as the technology and pharmaceutical Industry;

1. Urges Member States to implement a progressive corporation tax 20 ; 2. Strongly encourages Member States to invest in infrastructure and transport employing the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFS I) to make Member States attractive for investment and to incentivise MNCs; 3. Further encourages Member States to invest in small and medium-sized businesses through the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI); 4. Directs the European Commission to establish local enterprise offices supporting current enterprise schemes through funding from the ERDF; 5. Asks the European Commission to: a)

formulate an inquiry concerning the effects of MNC's practices on the stability of the EU internal market,

adopt a more thorough execution of the Commission Competition Rules 21 which are found to be damaging the EU free market by excessive corporate consol idation and/or stifling innovation as a result of a monopoly over their industry;

6. Encourages the EU Tax Policy Group to continue its work helping Member States locating and closing tax avoidance loopholes; 7. Suggests the European Commission to recognise the recent G7 decision recommending the 15% minimum corporation tax and work towards an according strategy for the EU; 8. Calls upon the European Commission to utilise the European Social Fund in order to raise the standard of economic education in Member States on a case-by-case basis, focusing on: a)

the provision of an educated workforce,

early school education in regard to the economy and fiscal policy;

9. Invites the European Council to formally approve the newly -agreed tax transparency regulations requiring that companies with an annual turnover of more than €750 million must declare their profits, the number of employees, and the amount of tax paid in each EU country in which they operate; 10. Requests the European Commission to extend the EU Fiscalis Programme on Taxation 22 , which previously ran from 2014-2020; 11. Urges Member States to attend this programme in order to further collaborate in taxation of MNCs.

The G7 is an informal association of the most important industrialised nations of the Western world at the time of its foundation in the form of regular summit meetings of heads of state and government. 20 A tax is called a progressive when a larger portion is collected from the higher income groups. 21 The EU's rules on competition are designed to ensure fair and equal conditions for businesses. 22 The Fiscalis programme is an EU cooperation programme that enables national tax administrations to create and exchange information and expertise. 19

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT(DEVE) “Who gets what: Taking into consideration the latest examples of “vaccination nationalism” and the forecast that the majority of countries of the global south will only achieve widespread COVID-vaccination coverage by 2023, what can the EU do to ensure more equal distribution of vaccines in the future?”

Submitted by:

Amy Carter (St Gerards School), Alan Hodgins (Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh), Margaret Humphreys (Loreto Fermoy) Anna Keyes (Edmund Rice College), Ella Mcmullin (St.Columbas Stranorlar), Owen Morris (Colaiste Eanna), Meadhbh Ní Dhubhgaill (Coláiste Íosagáin), Quentin Uhde, Cian Walsh (St. Brogan’s College), Joshua Fitzgerald (Chairperson, IE).

The European Youth Parliament, A.

Profoundly concerned that the prominence of vaccine nationalism could prolong the pandemic for up to seven years,

Deploring that the prolongment of the COVID-19 pandemic could plunge over 150 million people into poverty,

Acknowledging the COVAX scheme’s importance in achieving equal vaccine distribution with 81 million doses provided worldwide thus far,

Deeply alarmed that experts anticipate 80% of the population in low income countries will not receive a vaccine this year,

Taking into account that the OECD is stating that a continuation in vaccine nationalism could result in an: a) estimated $9.2 trillion hit to the global economy, b) a cost of $119 billion per year to high-income countries;

Recognising the possible emergence of new variants of COVID -19 which may be resistant to current vaccines,

Noting with regret the market commodification of COVID-19 vaccines resulting in unilateral deals between wealthy countries and pharmaceutical companies making vaccines inaccessible to LowerMiddle Income Countries (LMICs),

Observing the lack of sufficient infrastructure in regard to worldwide cold chain distribution necessary for a global vaccine roll-out in developing regions,

Noting with regret the lack of funding provided for the Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT)23 accelerator programme,

The ACT-Accelerator partnership is a WHO program to provide the tools needed to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regretting that manufacturers with the capacity to produce additional COVID -19 health products and vaccines are unable to do this due to IP (intellectual property) licensing,

Acknowledging the support of the TRIPS 24 waiver from several governments and NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs),

Fully alarmed that the WHO COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (CTAP)25 has been unused since the start of the pandemic,

Strongly emphasises the trade limits and the shortage of raw materials impeding on vaccine production and distribution in LMICs,

Cognisant that possible booster vaccinations may be distributed inequitably to developing regions,

1. Recommends the European Commission to introduce legislation to prevent Member States from holding an amount of vaccines which exceeds their population’s needs; 2. Calls upon the European Commission to continue to increase investment in LMICs to: a) build the capacities of developing countries to produce vaccines, b) aid the development of necessary infrastructure to ensure proper vaccine transport, c) facilitate storage with regard to worldwide cold-chain distribution; 3. Urges all Member States to donate excess COVID-19 vaccines and medical equipment to the ACT Accelerator program; 4. Designates the European Commission to increase funding for ACT programme; 5. Supports the European Medicines Agency (EMA) 26 to provide grants to pharmaceutical co m panies who contribute to the C-TAP and the WHO COVID-19 mRNA Technological Transfer Hub, in order to facilitate timely, equitable and affordable access to COVID-19 products; 6. Directs the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)27 to advocate for the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) stance on ending restrictions regarding the export of vaccines and vaccine components; 7. Trusts the EMA to put forward regulations that block the creation of vaccine patents in the event of a WHO-declared pandemic; 8. Instructs the European Commission to put forward legislation that ensures no individual or private entity can purchase intellectual property for vaccines related to COVID -19; 9. Invites the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety to provide funding for COVAX in order to expand upon the vaccine distribution scheme;

TRIPS Waiver: a proposal to suspend intellectual property protections for products and technologies needed for the fight against COVID- 19, including vaccines, for the duration of the pandemic. 25 C-TAP provides a global one-stop shop for developers of COVID-19 therapeutics, diagnostics, vaccines and other health products to share their intellectual property, knowledge, and data, with quality-assured manufacturers through public health-driven voluntary, non-exclusive and transparent licenses. 26 The European Medicines Agency: is an EU body with the goal of protecting human and animal health. 27 The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) : is an EU agency aimed at strengthening Europe's defences against infectious diseases.

10. Strongly urges the European Commission to endorse the proposal to temporarily waive the T RIPS agreement; 11. Expresses its hope that the European Commission liaison with the WHO to ensure the equitable distribution of any future booster vaccines; 12. Further recommends the ECDC for an international/EU summit on the topic of vaccine redistribution with the Developing Countries Vaccination Manufacturing Network, with the go al of developing a comprehensive strategy for vaccination production in LMICs; 13. Suggests the EMA create a report assessing the European response to health crises; 14. Proposes the ECDC establish a framework for managing future global health crises, based on the findings of the report; 15. Asks Member States to work in partnership with all relevant stakeholders to: a) strengthen research and development funding for vaccines and medicines, b) bolster the scientific international cooperation necessary to combat COVID -19, including the private sector, towards the further development, manufacturing and distribution of vaccines.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS I

(EMPL I) “Under EU law, parents are allowed to each take three months of paternal leave. However, this option is not feasible for all citizens. How can Member States make paternal leave more accessible for all family models while also making sure the parents do not suffer long-term consequences?”

Submitted by:

Ava Dowdall (Saint Aloysius College Carrigtwohill), Saskia Eiffe (St. Clare’s College), Ruairi Holohan (Drogheda Grammar School), Sarah Jane Hughes (Our Lady’s College Greenhills), Indira Kelly (Seamount College), Anoushka Nolan (Loreto Secondary School Wexford), Rezija MicureSkaista (St Angela’s College), Ava Murphy (Midleton College), Aoibhín Ní Gleasáin (Loreto Wexford), Aisling O'Keeffe (St Mary’s Mallow), Sarah Challoner ( Chairperson, IE).

The European Youth Parliament, A. Noting that access to parental leave can have a positive impact on the family dynamic and relationships via: i. equal division of labour and responsibilities in the household, ii. health and development of children since both parents can show support, B. Congratulates Member States such as Sweden for adopting a progressive stance on parental leave, C. Stressing that women are more likely to suffer from the negative stigma surrounding parental leave, as they are often expected to take maternity leave, D. Noting with regret that social and workplace prejudice surrounding parental leave has led to only 40% of men in the EU availing of parental leave, E. Regretting that eleven Member States currently do not allow LGBTQ+ couples to take parental leave, F. Noting with concern that some parents are not given the parental leave on the basis of: i. their nationality, ii. availability of health insurance, iii. adoptive nature of their relationship with their children, G. Noting with concern the lack of paid parental leave across the EU can cause an extra burden on parents, especially those who are: i. in lower socio-economic income bracket, ii. self employed, iii. single,

H. 1.

6. 7.

iv. disabled, Alarmed by the lack of support in place to ensure a smooth return to work for parents after benefitting from parental leave; Encourages Member States to facilitate media campaigns targeted at parents that will: a. entice them to avail of parental leave on their own behalf, b. raise awareness regarding the positive psychological effects parental leave has on children; Recommends Member States to increase availability of parental leave through: a. introduction of financial sanctions in the form of tax increases on employers if they refuse to grant parental leave on the basis of sexual orientation, b. giving all family models the right to take parental leave up until the child reaches 18 years of age, c. creating and facilitating anti-discrimination training for all employers and employees with help from the European Social Partners; Asks the European Commission to: a. implement an EU-wide wage subsidy scheme for employers in relation to paid parental leave of up to thirteen weeks, b. Increase availability and accessibility of parental leave to all residents within the EU; Appeals to Member States to promote and increase access to parental leave by providing: a. incentives such as lower tax liabilities to corporations who achieve equal gender uptake of parental leave, b. those of a lower income bracket with the necessary support by ensuring their right to paid parental leave in legislation; Invites the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to support parents return to work through the implementation of 'Keep in Touch Days' where parents are welcome to return to work for up to 10 days during their parental leave period; Calls upon Member States to fund and implement support schemes to facilitate the upskilling of opportunities for new parents through Horizon Europe; Encourages Ministries of Education to include rights to parental leave in the secondary school curriculum.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH AND

FOOD SAFETY(ENVI III) “In an effort to fight climate change at a global level, the European Green Deal aims at promoting EU energy standards and technologies worldwide. What can the EU do to support and include non-European countries in this effort while also bearing in mind that some EU Member States’s energy policies have room for improvement as well?”

Submitted by:

Caoimhe Neff (Ashton secondary school Co.Cork), Cathal Joyce (Firhouse Community College Co.Dublin), Daniel Browne (Coláiste Éanna, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16), Faye Durkan (St Gerards Co. Wicklow), Lillie Reynolds (Coláiste Íde agus Iosef), Mia Challoner (Manor House School Dublin), Ruairi O'hÉalaithe (C.B.S Co. Kerry), Saoirse Exton (Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh,), Sean Hennessy (Chairperson IE).

The European Youth Parliament, A.

Acknowledging with deep concern the catastrophic effects of the climate crisis around the world,

Gravely concerned by the irreversible damage to the climate that may occur by 2030,

Keeping in mind our commitment as an international leader in the effort against climate change as outlined in the European Green Deal,

Alarmed by the unwillingness of Member States to embrace the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy,

Noting with regret the inefficient and ineffective environmental policies in place across Member States

Conscious of the socio-economic effects a transition to sustainable energy would have on communities in countries that have an over reliance on the fossil fuel industry,

Noting with deep concern the lack of legal framework surrounding the environmental carbon emission goals currently in place,

Alarmed by the amount of political influence held by fossil fuel providers within the legislative processes at a national level,

The European Youth Parliament Calls upon The European Council to pass The European Climate Law 28 ;

The European Climate Law is a law yet to be passed by the European Council that would legally bind Member States to the 2050 climate targets 28

Requests Member States to transition to renewable energy where possible by 2030;

Invites the European Environmental Agency (EMA) to assist countries in the global south to create specifically tailored National Energy and Climate Policies;

Urges Member States to increase consumption taxes on companies heavily reliant on high consumptions of fossil fuels;

Calls upon the European Commission to mandate electric power suppliers to provide a breakdown of how their energy is generated;

Supports the work of NGOs that publish public information on the lobbying activity of politicians and private companies;

Calls upon all signatories of the Paris Agreement to fulfill their commitment of a carbon neutral economy by 2050;

Encourages Member States to fund sustainable transition in the energy sector using the Euro pean Fund for Strategic Investments;

Urges Member States to stop financially supporting and investing in fossil fuel companies;

10.

Welcomes further cooperation between the European Union and environmental NGOs;

11.

Implores the European Committee of Regions to use the Just Transition Mechanism 29 to aid in the smooth transition from carbon based fuels to sustainable energy.

Just Transition Mechanism is a financial tool set up as part of the Green Deal to ease the transition to renewable energy 29

Cork 2021 National Sessionof EYP Ireland Thanks to all who helped us shape the event.