TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION LETTER EUROPEAN YOUTH PARLIAMENT EYP GEORGIA BATUMI INTERNATIONAL FORUM WELCOME TO GEORGIA HOST CITY - BATUMI SESSION METHODOLOGY SESSION PROGRAMME VENUES ESSENTIALS DRESS CODE EYP POLICY TRAVEL INFORMATION ORGANISING TEAM CONTACT INFORMATION PARTNERS
INTRODUCTION LETTER Dear applicants, It is our great pleasure to invite you to Batumi’14 – 5th International Forum of EYP Georgia. The Forum will gather about 150 participants from all over Europe to discuss current European affairs under the theme of ‘’Eastern Partnership Countries and their integration with the European Union”. There is actually a reason why we have chosen Batumi as the host city for an International Forum. Apart from being one of the most gorgeous seaside cities in the entire world, Batumi has always been known for its multiculturalism and diversity. It is a city where people with different ethnicity, race, religion and cultural beliefs have always been able to find a common language. Frankly, at the end of the day, is not that what EYP is all about? The Organising Team is working very hard to make Batumi’14 one of the most unforgettable events in EYP Georgia’s history. Creating a session of this importance is a big responsibility for us to take as the expectations have been incredibly high from the early beginning. We are doing our best to make a session worthy enough not to just be another international forum but to let it leave its own mark with its uniqueness and originality. We have strong hope that these five days will be an incredible opportunity for all of you to challenge yourselves, to meet new friends and to help create something special. This information booklet was created to provide you with the necessary information regarding the event. We believe everything you read here will make all of your doubts, about applying for the session, disappear. We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to Batumi’14 – 5th International Forum of EYP Georgia.
EUROPEAN YOUTH PARLIAMENT The European Youth Parliament (EYP) is a non-profit and non-partisan educational project designed to actively engage young people in the molding of their future society. The organization offers people aged between 16 and 25 years old the opportunity to express their opinion concerning European political topics. Since 1987, for more than 27 years, the European Youth Parliament has engaged young Europeans in dialogue, discussion and debate. One of the overall aims of the European Youth Parliament is to raise awareness of European issues and to motivate young people to become active citizens engaged in politics. The EYP enables students to experience directly the different perspectives of young in Europe and allows them to explore the European and global dimension of several contemporary political issues. The EYP encourages independent thinking and socio-political initiative in young people. It develops young Europeans across a wide range of skills: from rhetoric to event management. By offering a challenging international learning experience, contributes essentially to its participants personal development. Thanks to its activities EYP allows the young participants to acquire long-term competences, such as communication and social skills, teamwork, multitasking and being at ease in a multicultural environment. This organization promotes international understanding and the diversity of ideas and cultural expression.
EYP GEORGIA EYP Georgia is an official member of EYP family since 2008. European Youth Parliament Georgia started as an initiative in 2007.However, in 2008 at the International Session in Prague; it became an official member of EYP. Since its establishment EYP Georgia has organized 37 sessions, including 8 National Selection Conferences and 4 International Forums. 4 International Youth Forums took place in Batumi for the past 4 years, in which many foreign delegates and officials were involved. The most important session in Georgia was Tbilisi 74th International Session; In 2012 EYP Georgia received a right to host an 74th International Session in the capital of Georgia-Tbilisi. The session was held in October 4-12 in this period over 300 delegates from all over Europe got acquainted with the splendid culture, cuisine, architecture and people of Georgia.
BATUMI INTERNATIONAL FORUM It has already become a successfully tradition of EYP Georgia to host an international Forum on the black sea cost in a beautiful city of Batumi. It all started in the summer 2009 and is held annually since then. The very first event gathered more than 100 youngsters from different European countries under the motto “changing the sense of possible”. Hosting the first international event, EYP Georgia faced many problems; however the event turned out to be a great success. Following the development of EYP Georgia, Batumi 1st International Forum was followed by more advanced forums. Following successful Forums in previous years, BIF’14 is promising to exceed the expectations. This autumn November 14-17, 2014, beautiful city of Batumi will host 5th International Forum of EYP Georgia, which will be head-organized by two experienced EYP-ers Mr. Giorgi Metskhvarishvili and Mr. Giorgi Elisashvili, who will do their best in order the session to become the unforgettable experience for every participant.
BATUMI Batumi is a seaside city on the Black Sea coast and capital of Adjara.Batumi was an Ancient Greek colony, a Roman port and was fought over several times in battles between the Georgian Kings and invading Ottoman forces. Today it is Georgia’s main port and seaside holiday destination. Batumi is blossoming. It is Georgia’s summer playground and has seen much development over recent years, much of it with new building, but some with a sympathetic understanding of the city’s history. Subtropical climate, warm sea with its health properties, seaside tourist and resort infrastructure, unique combination of the costal and mountainous climate create the best recreational conditions for tourism. Since 2010, the face of the city has been transformed by the construction of new high-rise landmark buildings and the renovation of the Old Town. Batumi is distinguished by the abundance of diverse architectural buildings which make the city more modern and beautiful. Today Batumi has become not only one of the most beautiful cities of Georgia but a distinguished tourist center on the Black Sea. It has always had resources necessary for resort cities. However, the recent years saw unprecedented measures accomplished for the touristic development. Batumi is distinguished by the abundance of diverse architectural buildings which make the city more modern and beautiful.
GEORGIA Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Georgia is a land filled with magnificent history and unparalleled natural beauty, land of endless wonders, unspoiled by modern tourism and still retaining its authentic character. It doesn’t matter where you go but Georgia’s nature will keep you speechless. With sublimely perched old churches, watchtowers and castles dotting its fantastic mountain scenery, Georgia has to be one of the most beautiful countries on earth. This is a place the human hand has much enhanced that of nature. Georgia’s depth of history – both ancient and modern – is laid bare right before your eyes. Georgia with its favorable geographic location has a unique and ancient cultural heritage. From outrageously beautiful towns of Svaneti and Kazbegi in the Caucasus Mountains to Batumi, a fun-loving semitropical town on the Black Sea coastline, Georgia abounds in natural variety. Tbilisi, the capital and by far the biggest city, has the atmosphere of an age-old Eurasian crossroads, yet it’s also a 21st-century city with European-style nightclubs and eye-catching new architecture. Perhaps its greatest treasure is the Georgians themselves: warm, proud, high-spirited, cultured, obsessively hospitable and expert at enjoying life. The Georgians have exceptionally strong traditions of hospitality, chivalry, and codes of personal honor.
SESSION Day 1- Friday - 14.11.2014 Breakfast General Teambuilding Committee Teambuilding Lunch Committee Teambuilding Coffee break Committee Teambuilding Dinner Welcome Party
Day 2- Saturday - 15.11.2014 Breakfast Opening Ceremony Coffee Braek Committee Work Lunch Committee Work Coffee Break Committee Work Preparation For Eurovillage Eurovillage
PROGRAMME Day 3 - Sunday - 16.11.2014 Breakfast Committee Work Coffee Break Committee Work Lunch Committee Work Coffee Break Committee Work Dinner Euroconcert Day 4 - Monday - 17.11.2014 Breakfast General Assembly - Resolution I &II Coffee break General Assembly - Resolution III & IV Lunch General Assembly - Resolution V, VI & VII Coffee break General Assembly - Resolution VIII & IX Dinner Closing Ceremony Preparations for Farewell Party Farewell Party
SESSION OPENING CEREMONY
The Opening Ceremony marks the official opening of the session. At the Opening Ceremony several prominent speakers will deliver a key-note speech to the session participants. The session will also be addressed by the Session President and the Head Organisers. Dress Code: Casual Smart
TEAMBUILDING Teambuilding is one of the core elements of the Session. It will provide you with a fun and challenging way of getting to know your committee and preparing yourself for the days to come. During the Teambuilding, you will be challenged to carry out several activities that are aimed at ensuring you get along well with your fellow participants and that your committee becomes a well-functioning team. Bear in mind that Teambuilding will at times take place outside. Dress Code: Comfortable
COMMITTEE WORK
Committee Work is one of the hardest parts of EYP sessions. This one usually contains lots of discussions and brain storms. In the first day delegates have to write problems related to their topic. On their second day they have to write solutions. But at the end committee composes a resolution which one delegates have to defend at the General Assembly. Dress Code: Smart
EUROVILLAGE
Teambuilding is one of the core elements of the Session. It will provide you with a fun and challenging way of getting to know your committee and preparing yourself for the days to come. During the Teambuilding, you will be challenged to carry out several activities that are aimed at ensuring you get along well with your fellow participants and that your committee becomes a well-functioning team. Bear in mind that Teambuilding will at times take place outside. Dress Code: Casual/Tradiotional
METHODOLOGY EUROCONCERT
Euro Concert is the ideal opportunity for talented musicians, singers and dancers to showcase their creativity and talent to the rest of the Session! Please note that the Organising Team will not be able to provide any kind of instrument. Instruments that you need for your performance will have to be brought by yourself! If you believe you have what it takes to impress your fellow delegates with your musical, or other, abilities, you are hereby strongly encouraged to go on stage and take the spotlight! Dress Code: Smart/Formal
GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA)
General Assembly is the final part of the session where all the committees are given the floor to present and then defend their resolutions. General Assembly is the place where you show others how hard you worked during past two days and are encouraged to prove that you deserve to get it voted in favor. At GA participants discuss their work and debate on every controversial issue that is mentioned in their resolutions. They are asked to deliver their speeches in front of the audience. In the end there is a voting process which declares the outcome of each resolution. The Resolution successfully passed if more than half of delegates voted in. Dress Code: Formal
CLOSING CEREMONY
The closing ceremony marks the official closure of the session. It follows right after General Assembly. EYP representatives, the editors, head organisers and the president will be speaking at this ceremony. Dress Code: Formal
FAREWELL PARTY
As the very final event of the session, the Farewell Party will truly be one of the most exciting and amazing parties you will attend! Farewell Party is not just going to be your average party. Farewell Party will be the night to “dance like it’s the last night of your life”! Dress Code: None
SESSION Committee Work Venue
Shota Rustaveli State University
Euroconcert Venue
Shota Rustaveli University Hall
General Assembly Venue Sheraton Hotel
VENUES Hotel Oasis
Opening Ceremony Venue
Intourist Palace Batumi
Teambuilding Venue Nuri Lake
DRESS CODE COMFORTABLE
This dress code applies to the part of the session, where you will be doing various exercises and games, both indoors and outdoors. You are free to wear any type of clothing you feel comfortable in, as long as you are able to run around and are not afraid to perhaps get a little bit dirty!
FORMAL
During Opening Ceremony, Euroconcert and General Assembly you will be expected to dress formally. This means suits with ties for gentlemen, and suits, dresses or long skirts for the ladies!
EYP POLICY ALCOHOL
During the evening programme, wine and beer will be available at some events for anyone who is 16 or older. EYP law will be respected, meaning that beer and wine (<15% alcohol) will be available to those who are 16 years and older, and spirits (>15% alcohol) will only be available to those of 18 years and older.â&#x20AC;? EYP has a good reputation (for example, European Commissioners often suggest discussion topics for us) and we would like to keep it that way. Also, we need you to participate fully in the debates and discussions. For this reason, overindulgence is forbidden. If you drink so much that you get sick or lose consciousness, you will be removed from the session and be sent home. You will have to pay for this yourself and the participation fee will not be refunded.
DRUGS
If you use drugs or have them in your possession, then you will be removed from the session and be sent home. You will have to pay for this yourself and the participation fee will not be refunded. Should you be suspected of carrying drugs or of drug use, then the organisers will reserve the right to subject you to a drug-test and to search your luggage. Any possession of hard drugs will be reported to the police and could result in your arrest.
LEAVING THE OFFICIAL PROGRAMME
Managing a conference with over 150 participants is not easy and requires us to know where you are at all times. This means that you cannot leave without the permission of an organiser and your chairperson.
TRAVEL AND CONTA Flights To Tbilisi
The most important airport of Georgia is Tbilisi International Airport: located 30 minutes from the city center. The airport has frequently connecting flights to European cities and hosts number of well-known airlines. Mostly connecting flights are arranged through Istanbul, Munich and Kiev. There are ATMs, multiple SIM card vendors, a CIP lounge, and free Wi-Fi (Silknet) in the airport The following airlines operate service to/from Tbilisi: airBaltic, Austrian Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, Czech Airlines, Estonian Air, Euroline, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Ukraine International Airlines.
Flights To Batumi
Batumi International airport is located 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Batumi, a city on the Black Seacoast and capital of Adjara, The airport is 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Hopa, Turkey and serves as a domestic and international airport for Georgia and northeastern Turkey. Batumi is one of three international airports in operation in Georgia The following airlines operate service to/from Batumi International Airport: Aerosvit, Belavia, Georgian Airways, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines
By Train
An overnight sleeper train runs from Yerevan to Tbilisi on even days of the year starting at 5600AMD (approximately 15 $) Tickets can be bought at the Yerevan train station, cash only (for detailed information visit http://www.ukzhd.am/ru_passenger.html) Georgian Railways operates trains between Batumi and Tbilisi. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s currently one night train every day, which departs Tbilisi at 22.45 and arrives at 7.25 (the one from Batumi to Tbilisi leaves at 22:25). So the travel time is 8h 40min. The train makes lots of stops all night long (like ~20). Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also one daytime train (each way) daily, which is a lot faster, 5h 15min. (It leaves at 8.30 from Tbilisi and at 17.55 from Batumi (www.railway.ge). First class (sleeper) ticket in the night train costs 40 GEL; (Second class is just 23 GEL. Buying the ticket early may be a good idea to secure a sleeper. Make sure to have your passport with you!
By Bus
Luks Karadeniz operates a daily bus from Turkey, costing 70 TRY. Neo-Turs bus company offers bus transfers Tbilisi -Thessaloniki - Athens and back, starting from Didube bus station (price: 100 US-$). Buses and minibuses (marshutka) operate regularly between Batumi and Tbilisi. Travel time is around 6 hours. The fare is 20 GEL. The scenery along the way is breathtaking. The best place to take the marshutka in Tbilisi is from Didube metro station, they leave approximately every hour. But they will wait until the bus has enough passengers on it before they leave. Daily buses also operate between Batumi and Trabzon, Turkey, with stops in Rize and the border crossing at Sarpi. Make sure you have all your documents with you before crossing the border.
ACT INFORMATION For more information about the session, please visit the official facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/batumi14 EYP Georgia website: https://www.eyp.org.ge EYP Georgia Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/eypgeorgia Should you require any further information regarding the session do not hesitate to contact to the Head Organisers: Giorgi Metskhvarishvili: +995593473747; +995599080107 Giorgi Elisashvili: +995555030022 E-mail: batumi14@eyp.org.ge
ORGA
TEAM
The politically impartial Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe was founded by Pauline Schwarzkopf in 1971 in Hamburg. The foundation´s mission is to support the development of young people into politically-aware and responsible citizens by focussing on the strengthening of the European Idea and pan-European understanding. The company’s aim is to develop a dialogue between young people of 16 and 28 years of age and leading figures from the world of politics, the economy and culture. Schwarzkopf provides young people with information about the decision-making process in Europe and make this process visible and tangible and thus beneficial to the education of young people. Main goals of Schwarzkopf offers are: lectures, seminars, debates, visits to embassies, exhibition visits, as well as EU Crash-Courses at schools. In direct exchange with ambassadors, federal Ministers, journalists, European Members of Parliament, EU Commissioners, Prime Ministers, scientists and artists, young people are able to experience politics up-close and to take part in the political process. Furthermore, the Schwarzkopf Foundation awards travel grants, the “Young European of the Year” prize as well as the annual “Schwarzkopf Europe Award“. The Schwarzkopf Foundation has run the European Youth Parliament since 2004. Batumi International Forum is not exception either. Schwarzkopf is the main partners of our Forum!
The politically impartial Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe was founded by Pauline Schwarzkopf in 1971 in Hamburg. The foundation´s mission is to support the development of young people into politically-aware and responsible citizens by focussing on the strengthening of the European Idea and pan-European understanding. The term “Auswärtiges Amt” was first used to designate the Foreign Office established in 1870 by the North German Confederation, which became the Foreign Office of the German Empire in 1871. This is still the name by which the German foreign ministry is known today. In Bismarck’s time the Auswärtiges Amt had only two directorates: the Political Directorate and a second Directorate responsible for foreign trade and other issues as well as legal and consular matters. During the Weimar Republic the Foreign Service was reorganized along modern lines. Under the Third Reich the Auswärtiges Amt was part of the apparatus of dictatorship. Some members of the Foreign Service, however – men such as Ulrich von Hassell and Adam von Trott zu Solz – joined the German resistance and were put to death. The Federal Foreign Office in Bonn (1968) After World War II the Auswärtiges Amt was re-established on 15 March 1951 in Bonn. Over the years that followed the Federal Republic of Germany - with its Foreign Service - was systematically and successfully integrated into the western democratic world and relevant international organizations. Since the Federal Government’s move back to Berlin in 1999 the Auswärtiges Amt has once again been based in the heart of Germany’s capital. The 227 German missions abroad are divided into: 153 embassies, 61 consulates-general and consulates, 12 permanent missions, 1 other mission.