. n o i s fu The magazine of the 16th NSC of EYP Switzerland
Aarau 2012
The Media Team
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EYP & Session Theme
EYP Sleeping Problems p. 6 • Celebrating Cheese p. 26
The Pigeon Inside Us p.8 • Self-starvation:
Neurology, not vanity p. 18
Bunking with the President p. 14
The Power of Limits p.4 • The
Carribean Whirl p.5
Welcome to the Jungle p.9 • FEMMe Fatale p.10 • ITRE on the road to success p. 11 •
Editorial
Interviews
Passion Articles
Committees
Aarau Bunker: Survival Guider p. 26
• Same-sex Marriage: Not the best solution p.24 •
Same-sex Marriage: A Fundamental Human Right p. 25
• Maximum Security p. 23 • Build, build, build a Team p. 24
TB: The Terrific Bunch p.12 • Sign This p.13 • Mein LIeBE p. 20 • Development p. 21 • CULT Crusoë p. 22
Other
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The Power of Limits It is funny how in a medium that aims at breaking the boundaries of society and connect people we should talk about limits. Truthfully, the limits of the freedom of speech are a disputed topic globally, but this is not what we are talking about here. What we are talking about here are technical limits, things in our everyday life that stop us from achieving exactly what we wanted. Generally, these are seen as something negative. We tend to dream about a world without any limitations, a world where we are free to do whatever we want. Yet limits have a power that is often overseen. It is namely within limits that creativity suddenly gains a crucial role. When we are faced with obstacles we cannot surmount, that is when we are forced to find another way, and creativity is sparked. Again, this might seem contradictory. Creativity is not supposed to have limits. It should be free of restrictions, one of the few areas where we humans can dwell without being afraid to encounter restraints. After all, one of the first rules of brainstorming is, “Write down everything, no matter how silly it sound and do not judge. This is about coming up with new ideas.� While this is true, I would like you to think about why we need new ideas. If everything was possible, if we could achieve anything without limitations, would we really need innovative solutions, except perhaps as a cure for boredom? As journalists, we encounter limits every day. The most recent example being that our two main networks used for connection with the outside world also happen being the two websites that are blocked in this school. As there is no real solution to this, we are forced to look for alternatives that allow our plans to work. We look around ourselves; do the best with what we have. This is when creativity comes in play. Sometimes, it is precisely being limited that allows us to come up with solutions we would have never thought about otherwise. In some occasions, these solutions prove better than anything we had come up with up to that moment. As delegates, you will find many obstacles on your way to creating a resolutions. Use them. For it is those that allow for innovative ideas.
Giada Benfatto (FR)
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Live from Outside
The Caribbean Whirl A common known phrase nearly everyone has heard at least once in their lives says, “Do not get blown away.” It is usually used to tell children to pay attention to an upcoming or already raging weather. However, did you ever-heard people screaming this sentence at the beach in the brightest sunlight and a little breeze going around? Though this all sounds like a big joke, there is one special place, located within the Southern Caribbean, where hanging on to a fence and trying not to get blown away while sunbathing on the beach is an attraction to tourists. Saint Maarten, a little Island next to the British Islands, offers you this excitement though the uniquely placed Princess Juliana International Airport. Right next to the landing strip one is able to enjoy a beautiful sandy beach with wonderful clear Caribbean water to swim in. The only problem that remains is the danger of getting literally blown away by the engine of a starting airplane. Not only the starting aircrafts but also those landing are an excitement. Just imagine this monster of the sky heading right towards you and flying right over your head, leaving only a distance of the meters between your head and the wheels of an eagle made out of steel. This is an adventure one should go through at east once in their life. If that still did not persuade you to visit St. Maarten than I cannot help you anymore. Sandy adventurous beaches in the middle of the Caribbean sounds like a little paradise to me. Personally, I already put this beach on my to-do-list before you die, and my vacation destination next summer is already decided. – Mario Pacal (AT), Guest Writer
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EYP Sleeping Problems An EYP session is one of the most exhausting experiences one can encounter. Therefore a good night’s rest is extremely important. We would like to give you seven indispensable solutions on the most common obstacles that keep you from sleeping. by Louis Wouters (BE) and Bernet Meijer (NL)
Problem: Snoring Neighbour You could turn your bag inside out in hope to find earplugs, and finally end up with props of paper to stuff in your ears. However, please do remember: it is your neighbour’s fault and problem. Send him to the pharmacy to buy one of the two-hundred-andeighty-five different anti-snoring remedies. However, as the session will last for only two more nights, a short-term solution is at hand too. Pinching, pushing, tickling or eventually more violent ways are allowed.
Problem: Paranoia Having the feeling that you have to protect your assets during the night is common at EYP. In this case, there is no absolute solution, although we do have some suggestions for clothing. First, you can ask your mum to write your name on all your clothes or even to sew nametags on every single piece of textile you will take to the session. Secondly, there is the possibility of wearing all your clothes at the same time. Do not forget to pay attention at the weather, though. The season can be a decisive factor. Going to a session without clothes can be another sharp-minded and clever strategy. Although an EYP session is a social event to make friends, please consider to take your most ugly and repulsive clothes to the session. In doing so, the chance of losing your clothes will decrease. We, as the press team, are not responsible for possible consequences.
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Problem: Nerves Telling you to ‘just’ be confident about yourself and see what tomorrow brings would in most cases be useless. We are still teenagers. Try to be confident about your nerves. Be proud of it: you are human. When you feel like you cannot even lay still, find a buddy who has the same problem and stick together. You both know what comforting words you want to hear.
Problem: A not completely closed bottle of water lying in the bed of the person above you. Lying somewhere else. Poor Patrick Harcuba (CULT) had not read this article yet when it happened to him. He put a blanket over his head while praying that it was a girl lying above. “The likeliness that women pee in the night when feeling something wet is smaller.”
Problem: A sleep-walker in your room Lay a wet mop in front of the door, in this way you prevent him from running through the bunker and making even more people afraid in the middle of the night. Try this before tying your friend to his bed. Just to avoid even more problems.
Problem: Bunker Nightmares The only solution can be done beforehand. Do not watch bunker-horror movies. Buddies will not help, you never know who to trust in these cases. Though this is only a problem for the foreign participants: as Switzerland has bunker space available for 120% of her citizens, sleeping in bunkers is an innocent school trip for Swiss delegates.
Problem: The sweaty feet of your neighbour In this case, you first decide whether you help yourself or combat against the source of this dreadful smell. The latter can be complicated, but you can start closing his sleeping bag and thus avoid further circulation. Washing his feet with a heavenly soap can be really helpful as well. On the other hand, you can protect yourself, for instance by removing your sleeping bag to a safe and glorious smelling place. The choice is yours. However, we should suggest a clothes peg.
Bert’s Dating Tips: – Use the tiny corridors to get in touch with the boy/girl of your choice – It gets hot in the bunker, long walks are recommended. – The session videos or the session paper are always two good reasons to start a conversation
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The Pigeon Inside Us
Groups make us feel stronger, more powerful, but this sometimes comes at the cost of our very humanity. Together we are strong. Together we can do anything. Together we can rule the world, whatever that may be. Especially in EYP, the word ‘together’ seems to change everything. Closely packed together we are able to lift someone only by using our pinkies. However, the mass can blind our reason. It is summer time; Festivals are blooming like geraniums in my grandmother’s front garden. Walking around Lowlands, the miniature version of the Sziget festival in Holland, I watched rules being broken. These are not the laws put up on us by our government or parents, but ones that go deeper than are conscience: social and personal space. When people form a mass, the rules of social space that are thereby being broken create new strings that hold us together, strings more powerful than love. You might have noticed that people do not only seem to be attracted
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by crowded places but are also ready to give up their privacy for the sake of the group. As the density of the crowd increases, the mass begins to act like one. The Bulgarian writer and philosopher Canetti compared it to an animal. Instincts are the only thing the mass reacts to: the impulses given by sound, touch and most of all emotions. We end up being just a bunch of pigeons, grouping and mindlessly cooing around, individual pigeons that are driven only by each other’s behaviour. Therefore a small inconsistence can create fear amongst the whole group. The pigeons split up and fly away in seconds. In Amsterdam there is one day where there are more people than pigeons on the Dam Square: the 4th of May. In 2010, the Memorial Day was not as quiet as it used to be. After thirty seconds, during the one-minute silence there was a scream from the crowd. Someone pushed the first stone and like dominos the people began to repeat the shout. The mass, just a moment ago deeply bonded by a shared history, was broken apart in about 1% of the time it needed to develop. People were spreading as fast as they could, they bumped over fences and some people even got hurt in the flight. People completely followed their
instincts and lost the one thing that differs them from animals: rationality. In the end it was all survival of the fittest. Are we really stronger when we are together? Surely, the deep relationship we create in those few moments of grouping together does provide positive energy. Like with atoms, making bonds between particles provides energy. But when the atom gets too big, it gets instable and is more likely to fall apart. I do not know whether I feel stronger. When we are in love, we are blind for the flaws of our lover. When we are grouping up, we are blinded by our instincts. Both things are addictive though. Voluntarily locking myself up in a bunker, with two hundred people I did not have a bond with before, definitely proves the attractiveness of groups. Yet in EYP the pull comes mostly from the feeling that you ‘are part of the group’ socially rather than physically. Maybe we are overdoing it, but then again: the mind cannot live without the body. We are the youth; we are the EYP. We think we can rule the world. We rule our own world. Not me, not you. Together. – Bernet Meijer (NL)
ENVI
Welcome to the Jungle ENVI, the committee on Environment or rather the committee on randomness? From the outside they seem like a quiet bunch of normal people, but after a closer look at them, ENVI seems more like a zoo with a touch of Hollywood. If you would like to follow me, I will take you on a tour through this cabinet of curiosity. Welcoming you close to the entrance is Norma. She immediately attracts our visitors’ attention with her bright smile. In the next cage we see a monkey that slightly looks like Marilyn Manson. Miriam, the monkey, spends her time with computers, cooking, films and music. Her neighbour is the lovely butterfly, Selina, who is also the piano-playing nanny of our zoo. Accompanying Selina is our teddy bear, Angdong. He came all the way from China to sing for us and become the future leader of the world. Moving on to the next cage we meet a rather active inhabitant of the ENVI zoo. It is Ronja hiking around her cage on her good and healthy feet. Very often Ronja is joined by Lucy, the Austrian twin sister of Cameron Diaz. Both of them like to wear clothes designed by Kai, our zoo designer. She is the Japanese cat in the next part of the ENVI zoo. Over here you will also meet a beaver called Deborah whom we are expecting to become the future Beyoncé. If you like the music of ENVI’s Beyoncé you can purchase her songs in three different languages.
Once you had enough of listening to our beaver, let me take you to the next cage. It is Michelle Pfeiffer herself living at this place. She barely has time to greet her fans, since she is giving tennis lessons to Santa at the moment. Hence, we will leave them alone and have a look at her neighbour, the ENVI wombat, Loris. Better known under his stage name Mark Zuckerberg, he is a successful ENVI stand-up comedian spicing his shows up by only speaking Latin. Surprisingly, the loudest laughs at his shows
come from a random small squirrel in the audience. Faustine, the squirrel, is the manager of the ENVI zoo. It is her that invited us to take a stroll through her zoo today. Hopefully you liked the tour and will not miss out on any chance to spend some more time at each of ENVI zoo’s cages and get to know their inhabitants even better. –Jelena Stevanovic AT)
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FEMM
FEMMe Fatale The Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality proves to be more dangerous than initial appearances might have suggested. A stone cold silence filled the air. Anxiety was prominent in the eyes of delegates, which darted around the middle of the football pitch. Some swayed nervously, hoping that the ground would swallow them up whole before the awkwardness did. A soft but firm voice cut through the ice cleanly however, chilling everyone to the bone – “Now, can everyone form a circle?” FEMM began to warm up as the members began to know one another a little better. Teambuilding began with the delegates pouring their hearts out over some lamentable stories of their childhood fears and disasters. One notable anecdote was a personal ice cream catastrophe for the chair, Rónán O’Connor (IE), who was fighting back tears recalling his tragic loss. As the games continued, the delegates became a lot more familiar with each other to the point where they were very close. The rain unfortunately had to end the
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exercises, but nothing could dampen the spirits at this stage. Next morning at the Alte Kantonschule, the weather may have taken a turn for the worst but the gloom outside was not reflected in the committee room. The delegates adapted quickly to the ever-changing ‘environments’ of more teambuilding games – buzzing like bees one minute and struggling to cross an entire floor of lava the next. Credit is due for FEMM with the human knot game, on how they completed it twice in record time. The strain of the third game, this time at a more hardcore level of having all the delegates apart from one close their eyes, came to surface as Mayra Mcpherson exclaimed, “I am so glad to see again!” The discussion that followed Abigail’s Tale showed a different side of FEMM – a group of people who were able to bring up thought-provoking points and
opinions, a power to be reckoned with come General Assembly. The highlight throughout the teambuilding was surely the two rounds of ‘Ninja’, attended by our very own President, Kerstin Mathias (DE). After a very serene and graceful bow, the tension in the room rose to high levels, with hands flying in all directions without mercy. It was clear Salomé Godonou had some trace of ninja blood in her veins, and all delegates feared Mathias’ cruel iron-cast fist. In the end it was Kerstin herself who beat us all to take the ninja crown. It is now FEMM’s turn to take the crown of the session. – Anthony McKee (UK)
ITRE
ITRE on the road to success During teambuilding, ITRE prove they have the critical thinking skills to succeed as a committee at the session. After a slow start on Tuesday, ITRE started getting into the EYP mood on Wednesday. To start off with, the committee heroically defeated AFCO in a game of giants, wizards and dwarfs. After that, during a game of Vogue, the committee started visibly enjoying themselves. That attitude was maintained whilst playing the notorious game of the Human Knot. The easiest version of the game was never a challenge for ITRE, as they managed to untie the knot and form a circle within a few minutes. However, after Zuzana Holakovská (CZ), the lovely chair of ITRE, significantly increased the complexity of the game by blindfolding the vast majority of the committee, they started having difficulties to untie the knot. After it had proven to be unsolvable, it was the debriefing that showed ITRE’s strength. Whilst analysing the main difficulties of the game, the committee was not
afraid to tell each other the truth. They not only admitted that the exercise was sweaty and warm, but also that they found it hard to trust one another. For those blindfolded, it was difficult to judge whether or not the decisions taken by those with vision were the right ones. As spotted by Katarina Samak every wrong instruction by those with vision created a more complex situation for the next move. When comparing the two different versions of the game – with and without blindfolds – the committee unanimously agreed that the fact that every single member could contribute was what helped them solve the first Human Knot so quickly. The committee strongly believed that they could have untied it, had they had time to prepare and plan the game, or had they been able to choose who was going to be the person with vision. In that case, the committee could have chosen the most suitable person to guide the rest of the committee through the game. As Giorgio Tresoldi most accurately commented, “If it goes wrong then, at least it’s your fault as well.” With these words that are not only applicable to working as a committee, but also to politics in general, the committee proved to be critical enough to judge themselves. In further activities as well, ITRE confirmed this ability. With this being one of the main criteria to be successful in committee work, I am sure that ITRE will show what they are capable of doing and bring a strong resolution to the floor. ITRE is on the road to success. – Willem Koelewijn (NL)
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AFET
TB: Terrific Bunch How did this group of individuals turn so quickly into a strong team? Trusting, carrying, laughing and even more laughing are just a part of the solution. Over 100 youngsters from across Switzerland descended on Aarau for the 16th NSC of EYP Switzerland on Wednesday afternoon. Suitcases and laptops were dropped off in the bunker before meeting the officials. From then on, it was up to the delegates to make this session their own. The AFET Committee met and soon they all got familiar with each other through teambuilding, spread over two days. Although the delegates have different backgrounds and interests, it did not take long for this group of individuals to turn into a strong team. Killian Coppex, a.k.a. kangaroo-like Killian, could assure after less than 15 minutes that those five days would certainly be exciting and this was quickly proved during Chicken Pilot – a game where the main goal is to make your members laugh by imitating a chicken – and an intense snowball fight. According to kangaroo-like Killian, this game was the best way to meet each other and learn the names, compared with the first school day when meetings are always so stiff and formal. Aarau is a unique place for most of us, nevertheless it felt like coming home for Elia Blülle, a.k.a. easy Elia.
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“My school is here in Aarau and therefore I still had classes before noon on Tuesday, and now, a few hours later, I am meeting all those new people. It is such a big difference, isn’t that wonderful?” It took him a lot of time to prepare himself carefully for this session, but after almost one hour of teambuilding, he definitely knew it was worth making all this effort. Tim Honegger, a.k.a terrific Tim, proved really talented discerning the lie from the truths, even though he could not believe Elia took three wrong trains this summer and lost as many phones this year. In general, this committee consists only of unique and talented individu-
als, where none of them is better than the other. Nevertheless, no matter how much I would like it, there was not enough space in the issue to fill the three pages they would deserve. Believe me, this committee is not afraid to shout and scream, and thus a committee shout was logically be the next step. I am sure all of you will hear their scream during the next five days. AFET will certainly improve even more during the next few days, as the first note was set for a session full of spirit and drive. – Louis Wouters (BE)
AFET News Update on Syria: Egypt called on Thursday for interverntion to halt bloodshed in Syria, telling a meeting of 120 nations it was their duty to stand against the “oppressive regime” of Bashar al-Assad, prompting a Surian walkout. Syrian rebels said they shot down a Syrian fighter plane on Thursday in the northwestern province of Idlib near the Turkish border. Video footage on al-Arabiya television showed what appeared to be smoke in the sky and a person parachuting down. Also the pilot is not found yet. Syrian jets and artillery have struck at least 10 bakeries in Aleppo in the last three weeks, killing dozens of people as they waited in line to buy bread, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday, accusing the military of targeting civilians.
AFCO
Sign This An insight into the affairs of the Constitutional Puppet Pals
On Tuesday afternoon, they were a curious sight for observers on the running track. A gaggle of delegates with strips of masking tape on their bellies, screaming and leaping in a circle that magically seemed to change size every few moments. Threatened with a newspaper, they quickly learned each other’s names and, more importantly, their favourite foods. Gabriel Hofman, eager to prove his credibility as a local from Aarau, claimed carrots as his delicacy of choice. Then, in a show of crazed democratic enthusiasm, the committee became a wild rabble of over-eager, desperate petitioners screaming “Sign it!”—kebab-loving Fatih Seyfi (DE) had some even more aggressive slogans—or hassled potential signatories running for their lives and freedom of choice.
Wednesday morning found the committee tangled in a web of rules and a minefield of circles, double circles, triangles and squares: two competing teams had to each guide a mute and blindfolded voter to tick five of twenty parties on large ballot sheets, without physical contact or directional words. Moreover, they had deliberately unhelpful ballot choices like “Right conservative socialists” and “Right socialist conservatives”, and a number of paradoxical rules as clear as the rain-laden sky of Wednesday afternoon. The process turned out to be “much more difficult than we thought,” Vera Quiriconi commented, a sentiment that this committee may have to brace themselves for as they tackle the bureaucratic processes of the EU.
On a lighter note, the afternoon saw an epidemic of Italian organised crime explode in Room 36. Louise Dobrynski and Gioia Bomatter, the newlyrecruited Mafiosi, found themselves on a brutal “killing” spree for many horrible, thirty-second nights. Undercover policewoman Lahmo Gerard spent her first two shifts on the job falsely accusing upstanding, innocent citizens of conspiring with the mob, only to be cruelly assassinated on the job. Fabian Walter was accused of being in the mafia because of his wrestler’s muscles and Doris Fonseca for her “nice glasses”. Leyla Beck was a prime suspect first for talking too much, then for talking too little, and even accused multiple times after her untimely —and rather impermanent — death at the hands of the mob. They are polenta and mämmi, they are carrots and sushi. They can be kings, pop stars, and fast food chains, and each is the proud owner of his or her very own constitution. They are desperate for your signatures on their petitions, and their doormats are giant ballot papers. They are the Committee on Constitutional Affairs. – Saki Shinoda (CH)
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Bunking with the President An exclusive talk with the one of the ‘LADS’, President Kerstin Mathias. Some officials have described her as having an eco-friendly spirit, and being Mark Brakel’s own little recyclable cup, while others value her beautiful healthy hair, especially the ends. But who is this enigmatic character that only few of the delegates have got to know yet? Sitting down in the foyer of the impressive Albert Einstein Haus on a rainy Thursday morning, we managed to catch a few minutes with this busy lady. Putting herself back into the position of this year’s delegates, she confesses that her first EYP session was not what she expected. “The accommodation was rather bad...when you hear the word European Youth Parliament you expect something different, but you end up with a room with six other people and three
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showers for all the participants and you can’t even identify what you’re eating.” However, even though her first brush with the EYP experience was not all that great, something clicked for her. “I think it was probably the people,” she explains, with some thought about what spurred her on to continue with EYP. “It was because I met so many interesting people, with so many interesting and various opinions – that was something I didn’t really find in my normal environment back home.” Her effort to remain a central part of EYP remains unparalleled – from being a journalist at Swiss Nationals in 2008, to being a President of her own National Committee (EYP Germany) and then presiding Aarau 2012 as well as other
sessions such as Istanbul and Prishtina. It soon becomes obvious that she has a connection to this particular session. “It is certainly a special thing [...] it’s really nice to be coming back. Also, there are a lot of very talented EYPers in EYP Switzerland and I appreciate a lot these people, whom I also call my friends, [who] have put all this trust in me, and I have the honour and privilege to preside here.” With a wealthy experience of EYP sessions behind her, she is focussed and determined to make the best of this session not only for the delegates, but all the participants. Her aims for Aarau 2012 are to not only preside a great session, but also show EYPers what this organisation is about, and why it is worthwhile to stick with it like she did.
There are other little things that make Switzerland special for her, however. “I do appreciate their chocolate and their cheese. But that is not the reason why I am here,” she admits. “I think it just boils down to the people.” Kerstin has been with EYP for a very long time. Not only does she enjoy her time working with EYP, but it has also become a network of very close friends for her. Working with EYP both on a national scale and internationally, she has built a huge community of companions. “If you devote so much of your free time to an organisation, then the sort of educational aspect of the work you’re doing becomes a bit less important, so that’s sort of one thing, that I found a bit of a family in EYP Germany.”
Remembering what EYP has given her, she would like the delegates to take away as much as they can from this session. Asking for one last piece of advice, she responds promptly, “Well, if there was one thing I could tell them it would be not to be afraid. [...] And being afraid or irritated is a natural reaction, so I would just ask the delegates to try to overcome these feelings and be open to whatever this experience may bring.” . - Jelena Stevanovic (AT) and Anthony McKee (UK)
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Self starvation: neurology not vanity Tackling the seemingly unmoveable stigma surrounding anorexia nervosa Coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, kidney disorders, hypoglycaemia, tooth decay, hypotension, amenorrhea, osteoporosis and anaemia. Such diagnoses are usually associated with the elderly and those who suffer from the likes of obesity. But there is another group of individuals, often unnoticed, who live with such problem: those suffering from anorexia nervosa. As an individual who previously suffered from the illness, I hope that in writing this article, I will explain the subtleties and difficulties surrounding the prognosis of sufferers. Anorexia nervosa is often depicted as the disease of the rich, teenage, western girl. A stereotypes that whilst
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once true is becoming less so, as more individuals become victims in developing nations. It is also considered a problem that is self-inflicted by vain, egocentric individuals. It is not. Other common considerations of anorexia is that it is a disease completely caused by society. The pressure on women to be stick thin and men to have a muscular physique is constant. Although this is partially true and images of such people can act as ‘thinspiration’, the majority of people can view such material without developing an eating disorder. With roughly 200,000 suffers in the UK out of a population of almost 60
million, anorexia cannot really be considered a societal problem despite its effects on national health services. Recent studies have shown that anorexia’s classification in this way, as a social disorder, has long been incorrect, as it is largely neurological. This rethinking and reclassification of the disease has enabled it to be tackled in new ways and has also enabled those without an eating disorder to better understand the inner-workings of a sufferer’s mind. Recent studies have shown that there is a genetic predisposition to anorexia. Whilst a predisposed individual will not necessarily suffer from the illness, small triggers (such as the societal pressure to be skinny, snide comments
or bullying) can have a detrimental effect. As the disease has become more openly discussed many patients have realised that members of all living generations of their families had been sufferers. This is similar to other addictions such as alcoholism, which can be traced through many family lineages.
However, unlike in the case of autism, it appears sufferers can overcome the problem. Around a third will make a complete recovery and be able to continue life as normal. Nevertheless, anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychological disorder, with one third dying as a result of the condition.
A study in November 2011 found that anorexics had similar genetic variations to those suffering from autism. Autism is widely regarded as a serious affliction and thus individuals largely receive effective and efficient treatment. If eating disorders were publicly perceived in a similar fashion, rather than the egotistical stereotype, I feel the problem would not be as prevalent in society today.
To try and reduce this shocking statistic, I believe it is necessary to treat sufferers as legitimate patients and not stigmatise them for something they are unable to help. In this way they will be able to receive better and more precise care. For therapists and the invalids loved ones’ a common questions, particularly in initial treatment stages is, “Why can’t
you just eat?” A question I, as a former sufferer, was asked numerous times. My often simple reply and that used by many sufferers is “I cannot”, a response often branded as stubbornness, an inability to face the problem or just downright idiocy. The neurological situation such individuals are faced with will hopefully shed some light on these kinds of attitudes. A final thought: anorexia is not a teenage illness nor is it a phase. If you suspect anyone of falling in to such a harrowing pit of self-loathing and worthlessness, help them to get help. - Sorcha Foster (IE)
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LIBE
Mein LIeBE “Love is in the air tonight.” Actually it is much rather in a bunker section. Check out the hottest spot for EYP love. part of the deal. “It was fun,” said Going Gaétan. Additionally to that many of the LIBE delegates have special abilities that can increase the comfort level of the session. Picking Patrick has a lifelong bunker experience and insane cooking abilities. Freezing Florence brought a massive Swiss ham. Jogging Jurre and Jamming Jacob have promised to steal enough food from the coffee breaks.
‘“We will meet by the van,” said horseback-riding Harm. As worrying as those initial words may sound the committee handled the initial shock quite well. Outgoing and entertaining, they managed quite soon to bond over networks. It began with social networks where many original Facebook pages featured a huge amount of likes, comments and appreciations of Jennifer Hudson by Alive Alex. Then a very tangled human knot network, with
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palms and fists going all over broke the very thin touch barrier. Thirdly LIBE shared its combined love to a very fortunate tennis ball. Yes, everybody enjoys a good old network. The fun did not stop there but continued in the bunker. It is here that most of the bonding is done, where pillows flow and socks fall. Acting Aurelia describes how the LIBE mansion, famous shelter no. 5, is the party room. Long lasting lights and live music are
If you are bored in this harsh Swiss rainy winter our love room is the place where to chill out. Well-placed ninja moves will increase your enjoyment as you let yourself go. They offer stolen food, tap water and a lovely view of the swamp facility, which Attacking Andrea has already proclaimed as her possession. Along with that you will be able to enjoy our wonderful wall drawings. The structuring is still taking place but DEVE, our pen pal committee, has been asked to help us out decorating the room. Also our very own special car, our six year-old pageant queen and loads of other alternative equipment will assure that your stay with us will be the best. Come to LIeBE and let the bunk beds bunk. – Manfredi Danielis (IT)
DEVE
Development As the committee on development came together, individuals with different languages and even nationalities were faced with unprecedented challenges. The apocalypse is coming and zombies shall take over the earth. The committee on development, faced with such impending disaster, used their survivalist instincts and newly honed skills provided by their mentor Veronica to escape. All other committees had already succumbed to the zombies and were now actively chasing the remaining development group, their bandages flying and weapons at the ready. Throughout the previous day, their dexterity and agility were capitalised with intense snowballthrowing sessions and sprint challenges with Bert the turtle, whilst their flexibility and creativity were improved by challenges such as creating a human elephant and the toilet roll game. Very soon the team had a tough decision to make. Katharina Schildknecht was trapped in a shop while trying to obtain supplies for their long journey to a bunker, the only place where safety could be achieved. Initially the survivalist instinct of the team overcame them and they briefly considered sacrificing Katharina to the monsters. They eventually decided unanimously that they were better capable of defeating their enemies united and opted not to abandon the unlucky Katharina. The decisions of what to take on the difficult journey to safer territory (Room 214) were difficult and contentious but
gradually a consensus was agreed and the team seemed to have become closer as a result.
ferent views and despite some strong arguments a consensus was eventually agreed.
The theme of unification and affection among team members continued once in safer territory (Room 214). Delegates celebrated their achievement by playing the “kissing game” with Floris Rijssenbeek and Anna Zellweger so enthused at the prospect of entering the circle, that head injuries may, perhaps, be a result.
The contrast in the attitudes of the delegates in the space of a day was stark. The initial wariness and apparent lack of confidence, even quietness had disappeared and there was a sense of togetherness among the team, with certain individuals beginning to speak out.
In a post-apocalyptic state, the team were required to discuss morality and ethical issues surrounding the story of Abigail’s boat. This enabled them to see the difficulties of creating a sense of coherence, as each individual had dif-
As the group dynamic improved my confidence in their ability to work well as a unit increased as well and I’m convinced this will be reflected in their committee and GA work throughout the session –Sorcha Foster (IE)
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CULT
CULT Crusoë The perils of the Committee on Culture and Education, as they find themselves stranded in an unknown land called EYP. They closed their eyes. They got into their vehicles that brought them to a new world. They opened their eyes in an undiscovered place. It was a world full of lava, dangerous swamps and indestructible ninjas. From now on they only had each other. They had three days to get ready for the battle with the other expeditors. Day one: how to survive and save your partners’ lives. The sun was disappearing behind the clouds when the explorers of culture grouped together. They met in the cool atmosphere of a cave and went to the open field to fill their minds with fresh air. They communicated through English, which would soon become a comfortable language for everyone. The youngsters could be counted on the fingers of two hands. Oh, mistake. Expeditor Elia Molo had not announced his arrival. Two hands with eleven fingers: everything is possible in the still unknown world of EYP. Soon the young expeditors went into
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training. Passing hairy yellow oranges that looked like tennis balls around without hands, in order to prepare for unexpected situations. To make things even more challenging, Zeus experimented with his thunder and the expeditors could only nearly escape from completely soaked clothes. It became clear that there were enormous talents amongst the youngsters. During a round of ninja training Jörg Meissner finally had to admit it. “Sonja has done martial arts. There is no chance.” They were also blessed with a guide named Max Karpf, although Patrick Harcuba preferred taking his own route to training centre. “I feel like a tourist”, Patrick clarified as they assembled in front of their expedition’s placard. The guide led them to foreign regions of lava streams and every ten minutes he challenged them with new assignments. Still he was not there for the key to completion. The youngsters asked for
help with one of their grand dilemmas regarding eye colour. “Which colour is lighter, green or blue? Max, can you help us?” When they got a negative answer there was some disappointment in the group. “We cannot decide is either!” Sabrina Nick cried. Soon however the light revived in her eventually confirmed green-golden eyes and they finished their task just in time. The expeditors were finally ready to begin their exploration of culture. They had assembled all the skills to be a successful team. What treasures would the land of EYP have in store for them? They assembled food; they upgraded their energy levels by chopping, smashing and drinking bananas. The only exception was Lukas, who vomited his one. – Bernet Meijer (NL)
SEDE
Maximum Security Security needed? The eight gentlemen of SEDE might be able to help you. “Everybody listen up. Do not forget to bring your suits with you tomorrow for the Opening Ceremony – Oh Emilie, sorry, I did not see you,” said Mark Brakel (NL) on the first day of team building. Keeping in mind that Emilie Tilstam (SE) is one of two chairpersons of Committee on Security and Defense, Mark was in fact right. With eight boys as delegates and no other girls, the male presence is heavily felt in SEDE; yet, the cohesion between them makes one think whether gender diversity is vital in an EYP committee. Once teambuilding had started, the male dominance in SEDE turned out to work far more positively than expected. Games that required physical contact, such as Pass the Orange, would probably have been less funny and even embarrassing for the gentlemen if they had to worry about impressing the opposite gender. Jokes were continuously thrown into the air. Yet, at the end of such games, a deep sense of friendship and comfort always overcame embarrassment and shyness, especially for the first-time EYPers. Obviously, the teambuilding of SEDE was more than just inside jokes or icebreaker games. The “Lava Game” for example, which requires the entire committee to pass from one shore to an-
other using only three sheets of paper, challenged the SEDE boys on the technical level. They were relatively successful at the game, saving seven delegates out of eight. Yet all the boys shared the same mindset of paying more attention to their athletic skills and individual physicality than to planning or paying attention to the technical details and rules of the game. This stopped them from reaching perfection. Still content with the result, Marc pointed out that “it [the failure in saving all of the committee members] was not an individual fault. It was the team’s fault and could easily be overcome through increased communication.” It is still hard to presume whether the gentlemen of SEDE will keep sharing similar ways of thinking among themselves during the committee work. Personally, I believe in the opposite since international diplomacy has always been too controversial to base itself on one way of thinking. Furthermore, the diverse Swiss cultural background will indeed shape the debates. Now that teambuilding is over, SEDE have secured their gentlemanly reputation. In the next days, they will have to work hard to defend it. – Sarp Kürüm (TR)
Aarau 2012 |p23
Build, build, build a Team
JURI
The Swiss summit on embryonic stem cell research begins. The 29th August marked the beginning of what can only be described as a monumental meeting of the minds here in Aarau. Nine of Switzerland’s brightest bioethical scientists came together to tackle a both contentious and sensitive issue surrounding the use of stem cells, both therapeutically and for research purposes. Each of the nine was nationally and world renowned for their contributions to the field and it was therefore only fitting that their work began in the school of Albert Einstein. Like all academic greats these nine have competed for their whole career for awards and publication. It was therefore necessary for them to ‘teambuild’ for several hours to ensure that they could work together,
cohesively to make sure that they would work successfully together to tackle the issues at hand. Not dissimilar to all those with PhDs, they were prone to the odd ‘awkward moment’, so when brought together as a group their interaction was initially understandably hesitant. However, this was not an issue thanks to the charismatic direction of Dr. Hall and Dr. Scannell. They guided them through a series of challenging games, which only further exacerbated any discomfort, but it seems that the phrase ‘cruel to be kind’ was most fitting as their relations progressed substantially. It was great to see such career-minded individuals having fun and discussing something new. Normal conversations for
these delegates include topics such as complex physiological processes and endless ethical dilemmas. However, today was a breakthrough for them as they considered the benefit of breasts, both in pass the orange and in life. Before they abandoned their fun to delve into their work on stem cells they considered how best to satiate zombies in order to escape from an apocalypse. Given their choice of survival implements, one can only be immensely grateful that the situation was hypothetical. However, despite the exaggerated importance of chocolate, the professors really became a cohesive unit when they saved Héloise de Jamblinne from the dreaded ‘zombies’, and it was deemed an unequivocal success. I would say ‘time flew’, but the delegates would probably remind me that the passage of time is relative. I will therefore say that teambuilding came to a swift end and it seemed that the ‘lads’ of JURI would produce their usual, phenomenal work in the coming days. I am grateful for the chance to work with such world leaders, and I wish them all the best.
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– Dean Connolly (UK)
Same-Sex Marriage
A fundamental Human Right
Not the right solution
The tendency to oversimplify complicated issues has always frightened me. The word itself possesses a bad connotation. If one chooses to practice the word, I perceived his behavior as a run-away, as an emergency exit – an attempt to selfishly escape from the problem rather to stay and deal with it. However unfortunate that be, there are still issues that need to be tackled through oversimplification. For those issues, the emergency exit evolves into a torch, shedding light on the void. If there is one oversimplification that I believe in, it is that same-sex marriage is a human right.
‘The formal union of a man and a woman, typically recognized by law, by which they become husband and wife.’ – Oxford Dictionaries In the 1970s the now named HIV virus was known as GRID (Gay Related Immune Deficiency). This was seen as one of the final straws in the extreme discrimination against homosexuals in the western world, and thus the worldwide campaign for gay-civil rights was born. This allowed for an extensive improvement in the quality of life of gay people and their integration into communities, which is thought to be primarily a result of their acceptance as a minority group who need protection.
VS
For the last millennia, marriage has been defined as a sacred and secular partnership between man and woman. Substantiated by survival and reproduction concerns with the help of religious pressure and laws, the marriage has forced to gain a traditional characteristic, a characteristic that purposefully neglects and, sorry to say that, degrades the love. If the sacristy of same-sex marriage is in question, I believe that Elton John’s marriage was far more sacred and full of love than Kim Kardashian’s, lasting twenty-one days. Conventionally, love is believed to serve both survival and reproduction purposes but in its own way: a mystique, undefined, cryptic. Homosexual love, on the other hand, is subconsciously rejected by many for it lacks reproduction and scornfully defined as an abnormality. What is missing in that approach not only empathy but also understanding of love as not a vital necessity for reproduction but as an orientation biologically encrypted in our genes. Sexual preference and sexual orientation are two completely different concepts. Alike with falling in love, a sexual orientation, e.g. heterosexuality, homosexuality, asexuality etc, does not include individual preferences; it is a natural attraction and cannot be altered by outside sources. Confirming that homosexuality is a sexual orientation rather than an individual choice, one has to acknowledge the rights of two men or women who want to legalise their relationship in a romantic way, in other words, to marry.
Unfortunately, people have a hard time comprehending what sexual orientation means. Oppositions to same-sex marriage are mainly based on prejudices, misunderstanding and hatred. Prohibiting people from getting married only because their sexual orientation is different than others is simply idiocy. “I am not against gay couples, I am against their marriage,” is an alternative phrasing of George Orwell’s words, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Equality comes prior in the dictionary than traditionalism, nostalgia, prejudice and hatred. I am indeed glad that it does.
One may argue gay-marriage is a further progression of these rights. For example, a JURI delegate said ‘I’m pro gay-marriage because I think if two people love each other they should be allowed to get married.’ Another said ‘Homosexuals should have the same rights as heterosexuals’. Although I agree with the latter wholeheartedly, same-sex marriage was judged not to be a human right by the European Court on Human rights last march, and therefore there is no compromise of human rights on any part. It is for this reason that I hope that gay marriage is not implemented. Gay and lesbian people have the right in most Western states to a civil partnership, which allows them all the legal and social privileges that a married couple receive. Additionally, one has to consider that most churches that would carry out the marriage actively condemn homosexuality. This makes me believe that gay people who want to undergo partnership through marriage are often ignorant of the religious connotations of the process. Furthermore, I worry that many homosexuals wanting to get married only pursue it because it is currently prohibited. In the UK and in particular Scotland, it seems that the churches are moving towards legalising gay marriage, a mistake of massive proportion. Since the inception of Christianity, church leaders have dictated that homosexuality is a sin. Therefore, to contradict such a formerly strong view at this stage in society would be disastrous. It would cause widespread unrest and lack of trust in the church, which would be particularly difficult given the move towards secularisation. In the EU and in particular UK and Ireland religion is of vital importance to many of its citizens. Consequently, in a lot of cases, permitting gay marriage is a situation which appeases one group of people to the detriment of others.
Aarau 2012 |p25
Celebrating Cheese The culinary treasures of Switzerland revealed themselves in the intoxicating luxury of SwissVillage here in Aarau. The pungent aroma of cheese wafted through the ground floor of the aquarium, permeating the heated air. Melting cheese dripped down in golden threads and droplets, gleaming like wax in the glowing orange lamplight. The lowing blare of an alphorn thundered scenically against the subtle, incongruous reggae twinkling merrily above the clamour of many hungry people packed in a small space with an atmosphere saturated with vaporised cheese scents. The tables, both manned and unmanned, boasted a generous assortment of not only cheese, but also bread, and a militantly profound green crate of more bread sat at the centre of the hall. The population density of the hall was, unfortunately for some, as uneven as that of Switzerland as a whole. The most popular table, judging by the large and constantly changing crowd in front of it, was that of the Valais delegation with their raclette machine. While the smell may not have been to everyone’s taste, the never-ending stream of customers suggested that the delectable and sophisticated combination of pickle, pickled onion, potato and cheese was irresistible. No less good were the Basler Läckerli-flavoured muffins, but they appeared less popular; whether that should be credited to the food dye obscuring the actual content of the muffins or to conscientious objectors protesting the football-related signifi-
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cance of the colours cannot be known. A mystery that can be solved, however, is that of the immense alphorn that graced the entrance of the school. Its proud owner is Joram Pollak (CULT), a member of the delegation from the Bernese highlands that was recognisable by their Edelweiss shirts. Being a man from the mountains, the alphorn was a more suitable instrument for him than the trumpet and trombone he had played before. What is most fascinating about the huge wooden unit is that Joram actually made it himself, taking him an impressive 90 hours to do it. Despite many delegations having their eyes on the prize, the award for the best beer at SwissVillage goes to the delegation from Davos, Graubünden with their delicious Monsteiner beer. Apart from that, two officials, that shall not be mentioned by name, were spotted fighting. Luckily enough they did not use physical violence but used Mohrenköpfe as their weapons instead. After some delegations had run out of food and drinks and the foyer slowly began to feel more spacious, it was our beloved classic Call Me Maybe that revived the party and caused it to continue for the hours to come and concluded a successful edition of SwissVillage. – Saki Shinoda (CH) and Willem Koelewijn (NL)
Aarau Bunker: Survival Guide
by Manfredi Danielis (IT) and Sorcha Foster (IE)
Editor’s Lair
Journalists’ Bedroom
Do not enter unless you want to get your head chopped off by Giada Benfatto (Editress) incredibly angry after having found smileys in this article. ;)
Chairs’
Where the barbaric jocks jump over the piles of luggage to reach their bunks and engage in snoring contests along with Bert the turtle.
Where the chairs rest their pretty heads, dreaming of the most absurd games to present the following day to their unfortunate committees. Saki’s boutique Where you can find clothing and alternative equipment according to latest bunker fashions. Such equipment can also be used in case of an atomic bomb.
Official`s part
Bert’s Place
Materialhalle Here people sit and chill, have heavy political discussions while also enjoying a game of table football sans ball. If you were inclined to make an escape attempt this is the perfect place to plot.
Schlafer (15) An obscure, dark room where the members of the EYP Switzerland board lay in their coffins. Watch out they may bite.
Material Where you can find everything from extendable ladders to vast quantities of 1970’s style powdered food.
Showers Where you can find showering officials singing the likes of Call me Maybe for your personal entertainment.
Room Five The party room, where lights are turned on until the very late hour of 1 am. Reports have been heard of flying pillows, falling socks, bad jokes and hard-core music.
Long Hall A great place to practice your duck and cover.
Rooms 1- 4 We assume you are aware of what is occurring in these rooms, unusual and interesting reports, which will require further investigation, have reached us.
Büro
Hall Where a length line of towels is displayed in preparation for a freakishly early wake-up call
Canteeen Where unicorns and balloons brighten up the day as you stand in a ridiculously long queue to reach the bucket of bread and instant coffee.
Also known as the official’s den, where badly behaved organisers are told to shut up. If you pass by, show how grateful you are and give them a big hug.
Aarau 2012 |p27
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