Table of Contents Schedule
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Procedure of the General Assembly
3-4
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
5–6
Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety I
7–8
Committee on Regional Development
9 – 10
Committee on Foreign Affairs II
11 – 12
Committee on Foreign Affairs I
13 – 15
Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety II
16 – 17
Schedule Breakfast
07.30 – 09.00
General Assembly Preparation
09.00 – 10.00
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
10.00 – 10.45
Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety I
10.45 – 11.30
Lunch
11.30 – 12.30
Committee on Regional Development
12.30 – 13.15
Committee on Foreign Affairs II
13.15 – 14.00
Coffee Break
14.00 – 14.30
Committee on Foreign Affairs I
14.30 – 15.15
Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety II
15.15 – 16.00
Break
16.00 – 16.10
Closing Ceremony
16.10 – 17.00
Departures
17.00 –
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Procedure of the General Assembly General Rules The wish to speak is indicated by raising the Committee placard. The placard of the proposing committee should be raised at all times. You may address the floor once recognised by the Board of the session. The authority of the board is absolute. Please respect your fellow delegates and their hard work during the previous days. A proper and respectful debate is expected to be conducted.
Procedure and time settings Call by the Board for a Motion for a Resolution on a specific Committee Topic; The Proposing Committee reads the Operative Clauses by 1 delegate from the podium; Defence Speech is given by 1 delegate from the podium and will last a maximum of 3 minutes; 3 minutes are given to two delegates who fundamentally disagree with the general idea of the resolution. There will be two Attack Speeches, each lasting 1.5 minutes; 1 minute is given to the Proposing Committee to respond to both Attack Speeches from the floor, should there be more than one; Open Debate: There will be 3 – 4 rounds of questions from the other Committees towards the proposing that need to be answered; After the Open Debate, 1 – 2 representatives of the Proposing Committee will be called to the podium to summarise the whole debate and have the final word. The Summation Speech lasts maximum 3 minutes; At the end, the resolution will be voted upon. Each delegate has the right to vote: In favour, should they agree with the content of the Resolution Against, should they disagree Abstain, when they think that they have not shaped a solid opinion on the topic at hand.
Point of Personal Privilege It may be raised in case of an inaudible point that needs to be repeated.
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Point of Order This point can be raised when a member of the General Assembly believes that the procedure is not properly followed by the members of the Board. The placard is allowed to be raised only by the Chairpersons of each Committee.
Direct Response Twice per debate each committee should use their Direct Response placard. Should a committee member raise the Committee placard with the Direct Response placard, the board may recognise them immediately. A direct response has to contribute to the point raised directly beforehand.
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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS Greener Grass: Many of Europe’s best and brightest are emigrating from poorer to richer Member States to find a better future. As a result, many of the European Union’s poorer Member States have a large shortage of highly skilled workers such as doctors and engineers. This in turn leads to labour shortages and stunted economic growth. What can the European Union do to help these Member States retain highly skilled workers without infringing on the right to free movement?
Submitted by:
Oscar Brunzell (VRG Djursholm), Johanna Lagergren (Västerviks Gymnasium), Miranda Malk (Wildcard), Roy Obaid (S:t Eskils Gymnasium), Ella Otterbeck (Kungsholmens Gymnasium), Krystian Wodzielak (PL), Markéta Stuchlíková (Chairperson, CZ)
The European Youth Parliament, A. Bearing in mind that the phenomenon of brain drain1 results in stunted economic growth in Member States, B. Observes that a deficit of skilled workers in Member States inhibits the overall development of their respective economies, C. Conscious of the disparity between the quality of vocational education within EU Member States, D. Noting with regret the extent to which political, social, and financial factors in affected countries contribute to the issue of brain drain, E. Acknowledging that high levels of corruption in Member States significantly compound the problem of brain drain;
1. Calls upon the European Commission to combat the difference of the levels of vocational education within the Union by: a) developing funds for educational institutions in countries affected by brain drain, Brain drain is a phenomenon where a country loses its young and educated people due to emigration. They often move to more prosperous regions or countries in the hope of better work and life opportunities. 1
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2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
b) promoting international exchange programmes with universities in countries affected by brain drain, c) expanding opportunities for universities in affected Member States to participate in the ERASMUS2 programme; Endorses projects such as Horizon 2020, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions3 to reduce the exodus of human capital; Proposes that the Commission establish financial incentives for highly skilled workers to return to their country of origin; Further endorses project such as Slovensko Calling4 with the aim to bring skilled professionals back to their country of origin; Encourages the Commission to introduce exchange programmes and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and start-ups; Expresses its hope that European Anti-Fraud Office5 will continue to investigate corruption within EU Member States affected by brain drain.
Erasmus is a European Union student exchange programme. Horizon 2020 and Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions are programs in which scientists from all over EU can take part and get funds for their research/project. 4 Slovensko calling is a programme by the Slovak government focusing on drawing highly skilled Slovakian professionals back from abroad. 5 European Anti-Fraud Office, it investigates fraud against the EU budget, corruption and serious misconduct within the European institutions, and develops anti-fraud policy for the European Commission. 2 3
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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND FOOD SAFETY I Europe’s Green Lung: Forests cover around 35% of Europe’s land area and are one of its most valuable environmental and economic assets. The European Forest Strategy has reached is half-way mark and is up for an evaluation. What steps can Europe take to protect its forests, while also reaping the economic benefits of the forestry sector?
Submitted by:
Vilhelm Hayen (Kungsholmens Gymnasium), David Hoffsten (Västerviks Gymnasium), Barbara Listek (PL), Patryk Mirek (PL), Isa Smedberg (IEGS), Anna Uhlin (VRG Djursholm), Anna Rezevska (Chairperson, LV)
The European Youth Parliament, A. Aware that the increasing demand for certain products such as palm oil and meat has led to increased deforestation with the aim of boosting the agricultural output, both in Europe and developing countries, B. Pointing out that deforestation is a major contributor to the disruption of ecosystems, and the loss of biodiversity, C. Concerned that further deforestation could increase the amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere, D. Aware of the trade-off between the economic prospects of the forestry sector and the aim of protecting the environment, E. Recognising there are not enough incentives for companies involved in the forestry sector to change or end practices that are harmful to the environment, F. Concerned that the promoted shift towards timber over fossil fuels can lead to an even stronger increase of its demand, G. Deeply regretting that a major cause of deforestation within the EU is illegal logging;
1. Calls upon forestry-related NGOs to launch a unitary Europe-wide media campaign advising to reduce the consumption of products produced following deforestation, such as palm oil and meat;
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2. Invites Member States to increase their focus on sustainable, local agriculture of crops and livestock; 3. Reaffirms the efforts of the European Commission and Member States in the creation and implementation of the European Forest Strategy;1 4. Suggests Members States implement a strategy equivalent to the Nordic model of “Right of Public Access�2 to forests EU-wide; 5. Asks Member States to compensate negative effects of regulations in the forestry sector, such as job losses, by opening up alternative fields of corporate opportunity and employment; 6. Encourages Member States without a sustainable forestry practice to follow the example of other European nations with highly developed, successful forestry strategies such as the Swedish model of efficiently combining deforestation with reforestation; 7. Invites Member States to continue providing eco-friendly companies with subsidies, whilst penalising companies directly involved in deforestation; 8. Proposes Member States to promote responsible forest management to businesses; 9. Reminds Member States to prepare for the future through practicing reforestation and afforestation,3 specifically planted and saved for scientific development; 10. Strongly urges Member States to tackle the problem of illegal logging by promoting forest stewardship councils and programmes.4
The EU Forest Strategy provides a framework to address the increasing demands placed on forests and the significant political and societal changes that affect forests. The strategy addresses aspects of the way forest resources are used and managed to generate goods and services. 2 The Right of Public Access is a unique right to roam freely in all countryside, conditional on a respect for the nature and wildlife that inhabits the area. 3 Afforestation is the establishment of a forest or stand of trees in an area where there was no previous tree cover. 4 Stewardship councils and programmes can work as effective tools for managing forests by tracking timber harvesting, transportation, and sale. 1
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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT From Athens To Dublin: All across Europe cities are experiencing a rise in gentrification, the process by which lower-income neighbourhoods are redeveloped by new investment to the point of unaffordability for the area’s original tenants. How can the EU encourage continued and sustainable urban development while protecting the livelihood and diversity of its inhabitants?
Submitted by:
Ada Anastazja Adamczyk (PL), Erland Böckenförde (S:t Eskil Gymnasium), Didrik Stein Lagerling (Norra Real), Hannah Leith (IEGS), Caspar Runsten (VRG Djursholm), Gustav Sjöqvist (Enskilda Gymnasiet), Victor Lagrelius (Chairperson, SE)
The European Youth Parliament, A. Acknowledging that the rate of affordable accommodation currently being constructed cannot compete with the population increase in urban areas, B. Realising that the renovation of dilapidated housing reduces the availability of affordable property as a result of rising rental prices, C. Noting the significant decline in social housing construction across Europe, D. Alarmed by the impact of private actors such as AirBnB in creating a housing deficit, E. Recognising that there are positive aspects to gentrification, such as the modernisation and investment of previously-undeveloped areas, F. Keeping in mind that people such as students, the elderly, the unemployed, and people who have a lower education can't keep up with increasing house prices due to gentrification, G. Noting that more marginalised communities such as minority groups and the working class are particularly at risk of having to relocate to peripheral areas as a result of increasing property prices,
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1. Strongly urges Member States to invest in the construction of social housing with a reasonable rent which is in line with respective national average income;1 2. Further encourages Member States’ authorities to use their own resources in constructing social housing before going to the private sector for assistance; 3. Urges Member States to enforce a penalty on landlords that keep their properties empty for more than six months per year; 4. Urges Member States to implement a law that will prevent landlords increasing the rental price by more than 10% with every change of tenancy; 5. Calls upon urban local municipalities to further extend their public transit systems to peripheral areas.
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“Reasonable rent� shall be defined by local authorities, taking into account special conditions of the area, such as the percentage of low-income residents, and the demand for housing. 10
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS II Africa’s Last Colony: For several decades now, sovereignty over the Western Sahara territory has been disputed between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front. In 2016, the European Union officially declared that the Western Sahara is not a part of Moroccan territory. Since then, no real steps towards a peaceful settlement have been made. What can the international community do to encourage and facilitate a peaceful settlement in the region?
Submitted by:
Carl Ahlberg (VRG Djursholm), Vilhelm Ahlin (Enskilda Gymnasiet), Natalia Matuszczyk (PL), Alastair Clase Schenkel (Kungsholmens Gymnasium), Linnea Skoog (Wildcard), Nicola Spoletini (Chairperson, CH)
The European Youth Parliament, A. Acknowledging the colonisation and longstanding occupation of Western Sahara1 by Morocco, B. Deploring the lack of cooperation between Morocco and the Polisario front, C. Noting with dismay the contradictory attitude displayed by countries such as the United States and France, both supporting the Moroccan government’s claim for sovereignty over the Western Sahara region, as well as recognising the right of the Sahrawi people2 to selfdetermination, D. Noting with deep regret that the people of Western Sahara have never been given the opportunity for self-determination due to the historical invasion and annexation by Morocco, E. Noting the failure of a previous self-determination referendum,
The Western Sahara is a disputed territory in the Maghreb region of North Africa, partially controlled by the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and mostly Moroccan-occupied. 2 The Sahrawi, or Sahrawi people, are the people living in the western part of the Sahara desert which includes Western Sahara, other parts of southern Morocco, most of Mauritania and the extreme southwest of Algeria. 1
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F. Deploring the ongoing delegitimisation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic3 by Morocco, G. Deploring human rights abuses committed in Western Sahara by Morocco, including: i) Forced displacement of Sahrawi people, ii) The use of chemical weapons on refugee camps, H. Acknowledging the conflicting stances of the institution of the European Union (EU)and individual Member States such as Spain on the issue, I.
Acknowledging the importance of the role played by Algeria in this conflict as the host of most Sahrawi refugees as well as the Polisario Front;4
1. Requests that the United Nations send a neutral envoy to mediate a summit between Morocco and the Polisario Front; 2. Further requests that this summit include international actors such as Algeria, France, the African Union (AU)5 and the EU; 3. Urges the UN to impose a deadline for a Sahrawi self-determination referendum supervised by the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara6 (MINURSO); 4. Supports the introduction of EU tariffs on resources produced by Morocco in Western Sahara if this deadline is not respected; 5. Calls upon EU Member States to agree on a common position on the matter; 6. Emphasises the importance of respecting for Human Rights in Western Sahara; 7. Urges the United Nations to extend the mandate of MINURSO in order to monitor adherence to human rights in Western Sahara; 8. Further invites MINURSO to provide the UN Security Council with a report on the violation of Human Rights and International Law in Western Sahara; 9. Encourages the AU to publicly support the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination.
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a partially recognised state that claims the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara, proclaimed by the Polisario Front. 4 The Polisario Front is a Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement aiming to end Moroccan presence in the Western Sahara. It is considered by the UN to be the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi. 5 The African Union is an international organisation comprising 54 African countries. Promoting unity and solidarity among African States. 6 The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was established by UN Security Council resolution 690 in accordance with settlement proposals accepted by Morocco and the Polisario Front. 3
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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS I The Forgotten Conflict: In Yemen, over 8 million people are on the brink of famine, 1 million people suffer from cholera, and 3 million people are internally displaced. What can the European Union, do to help relieve the suffering of the population and create safe living conditions?
Submitted by:
Arad Aslrousta (Wildcard), Signe Johansson (IEGS), Wilma Eriksson Kocsic (Kungsholmens Gymnasium), Saga Löfberg (S:t Eskils Gymnasium), Lidia Majda (PL), Vendela Adamiak Remius (Enskilda Gymnasiet), Kacper Uminski (Västervik Gymnasium), Nika Aghajani (Chairperson, SE)
The European Youth Parliament, A. Alarmed by the 3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) within Yemen, B. Profoundly concerned by the 8 million people categorised in an “emergency situation” on the brink of famine, as highlighted by the United Nations’ (UN) World Food Programme, C. Deploring the blockade imposed by the Saudi-led coalition1 prohibiting humanitarian aid and services from reaching Yemeni civilians, D. Regretting the poor use of agricultural land in Yemen and the subsequent ‘Khat’ or ‘Qat’ drug problem2 in the country, E. Keeping in mind that options for the Yemeni population to flee are rare and dangerous for geopolitical reasons, F. Deeply disturbed by the active role played by terror groups such as Al-Qaeda3 and the Islamic State,4
Launched in 2015, the Saudi-led coalition is a military intervention of nine African and Middle East countries in response to the Houthi takeover in Yemen. 2 ‘Khat’ or ‘Qat’ is a flowering plant used as a mild herbal stimulant. Users chew its leaves and shoots that give a similar high to amphetamines. With 90% of men and ⅓ of women addicted to the drug, the profitability of cultivating Khat exacerbates the acute famine. 3 Al-Qaeda is an internationally classified terrorist group operating as a network of Islamic extremists and Salafist jihadists. Thriving on conflict, sectarianism, and local opportunism, al-Qaeda’s affiliates are stronger than ever in Yemen. 1
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G. Conscious of the proxy warfare5 employed by Iran and Saudi Arabia in the conflict, H. Bearing in mind the lack of international oversight over the intelligence and military aid provided by the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, I.
Alarmed by the allegations of Iranian support for the Houthi rebels6 as well as the official Saudi-led backing of the Yemeni government,
J. Expressing its appreciation towards the upcoming Stockholm peace talks7 between the Yemeni government and the Houthi leadership, K. Deploring the deterioration of democratic structures as a result of the insurgency, L. Deeply alarmed by the lack of a functioning government in Yemen limiting the accessibility of basic necessities and public institutions such as schools and hospitals, M. Recognising that the outbreak of cholera in Yemen is directly related to the lack of clean water and sanitary waste disposal systems, N. Concerned by the potential misdirection and misuse of funding and aid provided by the European Union;
1. Calls upon all belligerent forces to agree an immediate ceasefire of all military activities in the region; 2. Calls upon Saudi Arabia to promptly end its blockade on Yemen; 3. Strongly affirms that a failure to do so will result in measures such as, but not limited to, economic sanctions and a halting of diplomatic relations; 4. Deplores the proxy warfare employed by Saudi Arabia and Iran in Yemen and elsewhere in the Middle East; 5. Calls for a well-developed agenda during peace talks between Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government including matters such as: a) the establishment of a peace treaty, b) the re-establishment and rebuilding of democratic institutions such as the Yemeni House of Representatives, c) the need for representation and inclusion of both Sunni8 and Shia9 Muslims in government, Islamic State (IS) is a militant Sunni Islamist and Salafi jihadist militant group, also recognised as a terrorist group. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on military and civilian targets in Yemen which have killed hundreds of people. 5 Proxy-warfare occurs when two countries indirectly fight over influence by supporting opposing sides in other countries and inciting conflicts. 6 The Houthis are a tribe of Shia Yemenis in control of the northwestern regions of Yemen including the capital Sana’a. The rebel group has led a long insurgency against the current government, protesting policies and decisions. 7 United Nations are planning to convene peace talks in Stockholm, in December of this year, between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels. 4
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d) the importance of dialogue regarding the growth of extremist groups in the region; 6. Strongly suggests that the European Commission further investigates the possibility of installing a refugee system prioritising Yemeni refugees in order to balance the geographical difficulties of exiting the country; 7. Encourages EU Member States to minimise their strategic and economic involvement in the conflict; 8. Further encourages Member States to increase and centralise the oversight of their remaining involvement on a European level; 9. Encourages the work of The Delegation of the European Union to Yemen10 regarding IDPs in Yemen; 10. Calls upon the UN-established Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM)11 to take further measures to increase transparency and reporting on the allocation of humanitarian aid; 11. Calls upon the European External Action Service (EEAS)12 to ensure that humanitarian aid is directed towards relevant organisations with clear plans and defined goals; 12. Further requests that the EEAS implement development aid programmes such as: a) educational farming programmes aimed at repurposing Khat-cultivating land for agricultural purposes, b) the European Union-Yemen Fisheries Support Programme (YFSP),13 c) a new project facilitated by the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI)14 regarding the processing of waste to generate heat and electricity; 13. Appeals for the engagement of the Yemeni government and the Houthis in the peace talks.
Sunni Muslims are members of one of the two main denominations within Islam and make up an estimated 85-90% of the Muslim population. Sunnis regard themselves as the orthodox branch of Islam and stress the primacy of the Sunnah, i.e. the sayings, actions and condemnations of Prophet Muhammad. 9 Shia Muslims are members of the other main denomination within Islam and make up an estimated 10% of the Muslim population. Shia refer to the Sunnah but are also guided by the wisdom of Muhammad's descendants through his son-in-law and cousin, Ali. 10 The Delegation of the European Union to Yemen is the official diplomatic mission of the EU to Yemen that focuses on developing projects in areas such as conflict response, democracy and human rights. 11 The European Union has also been co-funding the UN-established Verification and Inspection mechanism (UNVIM) that verifies and inspects the import of commercial goods to Yemen to ease the humanitarian crisis. 12 The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the foreign ministry of the EU and is part of the European Commission. It facilitates the Delegation of the European Union to Yemen, an initiative that focuses on developing projects in areas such as conflict response and democracy and human rights. 13 European Union-Yemen Fisheries Support Programme (YFSP) intends to make use of Yemen's 2,230km coastline and promote coastal communities in their development to create local jobs and exports. 14 The European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) is the funding instrument for European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) which covers cooperation with South Mediterranean countries, the occupied Palestinian territory and Eastern partnership countries to encourage democracy and human rights, sustainable development and the transition towards a market economy in neighbouring countries. 8
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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND FOOD SAFETY II Men’s Mental Health: Men live on average 6.1 years shorter than women. They are more likely to die from alcohol and drugs abuse, or to commit suicide, and are far less likely to seek help in case of mental health issues compared to women. What can the European Union do to help tackle mental health issues of its male population?
Submitted by:
Anna-Sophia Bartosch (IEGS), Bechr Birkdar (S:t Eskils Gymnasium), Sam Challis (Norra Real), Hedda von Hedenberg (Enskilda Gymnasiet), Jędrzej Kopiszka (PL), Olivia Sjöström (Solna Gymnasium), Simone Waters (Västerviks Gymnasium), Elise Murphy (Chairperson, SE)
The European Youth Parliament, A. Noting with concern the false representation of masculinity in media and advertisement, B. Further concerned that men often feel pressured to maintain this image of ideal masculinity, C. Fully aware of the lack of knowledge and education of men’s mental health amongst the general population, D. Bearing in mind the pressure and stress caused by the traditional image of a family of men being responsible for the economic and social wellbeing of the family, E. Deeply concerned by the fact that societal stereotypes discourage men even from seeking professional help for mental health issues, resulting in higher rates of depression, drug abuse and suicide,
1. Commends the efforts of France in regulating the use of photoshop in media to limit unrealistic portrayals of masculinity and beauty; 2. Appeals to Member States to ensure schools offer specific guidance to male students; 3. Urges Member States to start media campaigns similar to the “Heads Together”1 programme in order to break the stigma surrounding mental illness;
Heads Together is a mental health initiative which combines campaigns to tackle stigma and change the conversation on mental health, spearheaded by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry. 1
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4. Requests Member States to develop health clinics specialised on men’s mental health and the reduction of alcohol and drug dependency; 5. Suggest that the aforementioned centres develop an app and hotline, similar to the initiative of KRY2 in Sweden; 6. Invites the World Health Organisation to further increase funding on research programmes committed to men’s mental health as well as gender-specific expression.
KRY is an app that allows patients to communicate with legitimized doctors and psychiatrists through video. 2
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