#5 The Global Issue 72nd International Session of the European Youth Parliament — Munich 2013
The Source #5
Editorial Gentle reader, This is the fifth and final time that I put pen to paper – figuratively at least – and try to say something meaningful to at once sign and introduce this publication. But each of the four previous times I’ve been left with a niggling feeling that I shouldn’t be writing this. At
least not alone. For the past ten days, there have been eighteen more people behind The Source. My editorial assistants Timm Brünjes, Oona Kiiskinen and Harm van Leeuwen have been at my side to support the true Source (sic!) of this media team: Your journalists. That is why I won’t be writing an editorial. Instead, I leave this space for them to write to you what they want to say. I only have one thing left: Danke.
■ Sophie
Editor: Sophie Hall (CH) Editorial assistants: Oona Kiiskinen (FI) Harm van Leeuwen (NL) Timm Brünjes (DE) Lara Lindlahr Lidiia Zhgyr Erasmus Häggblom Fredrik Hultman Daniels Grinevics Annmarie Kiiskinen Antonia Kerridge Stan van Wingerden
Journalists: (DE) Arriana Yiallourides (CY) (UA) Johanna Fürst (AT) (FI) Mike Whyard (UK) (SE) Amantia Muhedini (AL) (LV) David Meijers (NL) (FI) Christine-Bianca Hanganu (RO) (UK) Love Lyssarides (SE) (NL)
2
72nd International Session
The Global Issue
Contents Global issue Foreword to the Global issue: Looking beyond Europe
4
EYP goes beyond Europe: A different perspective on international co-operation
5
Software, resource of growth
6
Global turm-oil: Gaining a global perspective on resource use
8
Looking through whose lenses? A different perspective on the role of the EU
9
Thank you 10
What’s the point? The impact of EYP
12
The ever-changing EYP: How we have changed as an organisation
14
Post-EYP: How do delegates want to stay involved?
16
EYP: political, yet apolitical
18
Meeting Ville Vasaramäki, the executive director of the EYP
19
Zurich awaits: Meet the man who orchestrates your next step in EYP
20
Munich 2013
3
The Source #5
Foreword to the Economic issue
Looking beyond Europe
E
YP is an organisation that brings together young minds to discuss Europe’s current problems and our lovely delegates attempt to come to a consensus on how to solve them. It is important that at a session like Munich 2013, delegates do not become too introspective and just focus on internal European issues but also remember the EU’s place on a global scale. It is a big old world and EYP must remember that the EU takes on the responsibility to be a body that can tackle global issues as well as European ones. Hopefully this newspaper will show how some of our committees have been considering global issues from various corners of the world. Enjoy! ■MW
4
72nd International Session
The Global Issue
A different perspective on international co-operation
EYP goes beyond Europe EYP has already gone beyond the boundaries of the European Union by getting youngsters from non-EU member states, involved in their events. With Munich 2013, EYP takes a step forward and welcomes the first African delegation.
A
s a real representative of intercultural encounters, political debates and exchange of ideas among young people, EYP invited the first group of guests from Ghana to come to observe the 72nd International Session of EYP in Munich. Tony Arefin, Ewarafua Bailey, Frederick Jojo Kwofie and Seth Oteng recently approached the EYP Office in Berlin. They introduced their foundation Youth Bridge, which runs The African Youth and Governance Conference (AYGC) in Ghana. The format of the conference is similar to an International Session as it involves 35 countries annually and encourages political debate amongst the youth. After the meeting in Berlin, the Schwarzkopf Stiftung Foundation and Youth Bridge Foundation decided to see if they could collaborate to share their experience of engaging young people in politics. At the moment, this takes the form of mutual visits and best practice sharing from each other’s events, but the door is now open to further work together.
EYP is about multiculturalism, interaction and exchange. The problems of Europe are not isolated – they affect the entire world and vice versa. This global dimension is crucial; that countries and continents cooperate and work together. For example, one of the discussion topics in Munich 2013 discusses the European Union’s position towards China in the competition for the control of resources in Africa. The observers from Ghana feel that they are able to bring relevant knowledge and help the delegates better understand the situation from an African perspective. When 58.44% of the African voting population are youths, there is an urgent need to engage them in debates and in discussing the issues that affect them. As Seth Oteng, the executive director of the Youth Bridge Foundation affirms: “We have learned a lot from EYP. The passion and enthusiasm of the youngsters, the academic level and the organisational aspects are the things we want to carry back home with us. This could help our conference develop and engage more youngsters”. The cooperation between Schwarzkopf Foundation and Youth Bridge Foundation could bring huge benefits for both sides by increased multiculturalism, tackling crucial worldwide issues and making better use of our global human resources. ■ CBH
The Ghanaian initiative: Tony Arefin, Ewarafua Bailey, Frederick Jojo Kwofie and Seth Oteng
Munich 2013
5
The Source #5
Software, resource of growth
A
s the global economy is developing in a fast pace, the role of intellectual property has transformed from the type of intangible assets into the factor of economic progress. Taking its resources for development from intellectual achievements of its participants, the world economy at modern stage has a good reason to be fairly called ‘economy of knowledge’. Without intellectual resources humanity would never be able to implement possible into reality even with all other resources available. Intellectual property rights (IPR) objects comprise all heritage of the civilization. Inventions, licenses, technologies, trade-
6
marks and software – this is only a small part of intellectual property objects. IPR are an integral part of international trade and they require constant multilateral regulation. International system for IPR regulation was set on place in the 19th century as the first international agreements on copyright protection arose. IPR protection is especially complicated due to their immaterial form. Copying, illegal usage and hacking are the simplest ways of IRP breach. Computer programs are the fastest developing type of IRP nowadays, as software is widely used for manufacture optimization in all branches of industry. 72nd International Session
The Global Issue
Nobody rules out the absolute exhaustion of natural resources. Does humanity have the means to guarantee its survival in such a case? Countries which produce such IPR objects usually posses high intellectual potential, and they are not necessarily highly developed. Post-soviet countries, China and India are the largest outsourcing producers of software in the world. Most of software purchasing power is concentrated in developed countries. The next stages of IPR trade is executed in illegal form. Particular amount of computer programs are bought by poor countries, where they are hacked. The majority of hacked software programs is produced in China but mainly sold and consumed in Asia and post-Soviet countries. According to the survey, conducted with 20 par Munich 2013
ticipants of the session, most of them (18 out of 20) use unlicensed (hacked) software, disregarding their age and country of origin. 17 of them do not have any licensed program, two uses only licensed software, one – combine. All of them explain it by high cost for software. Another motive is easy and unpunished way of its usage. Urgency of the IPR protection is in the potential opportunities which they can comprise and in perspectives of development they enable. In this era of information overload we need to focus on intellectual resources to guarantee progress. ■LZ
7
The Source #5
Gaining a global perspective on resource use
Global turmoil
The Middle East is well known for its oil production and the political problems that have stemmed from trying to extract it. With oil remaining one of the most valuable natural resources to mankind, it would seem extraordinary if African oil reserves are not eventually used in a similar way.
W
ith two committees dealing with foreign affairs at the session, resource acquisition on a global scale will be extensively discussed in General Assembly. The EU’s resource needs, in particular with oil, can only be satisfied by sources from outside Europe. Many natural resources are only found outside the EU and so global strategies must be designed. Currently, there is an enormous amount of oil in Africa that has not been extracted in an efficient way; countries such as Angola and Nigeria have huge oil potential that requires efficient and fair usage. In 2010 it was estimated that Sudan possessed over $9 billion dollars worth of oil and 40% of it was owned by China. The EU needs to not get caught napping in the pursuit of oil in Africa and find itself struggling to be self sufficient on a global scale. If the Middle East has taught us something about gathering oil, it is that business relations can only be successful if they are preceded by making sure that international relations are as secure as possible. If the
If money makes the world go around, then oil is a pretty good lubricant to help it spin EU allows China to possess a monopoly on the possession of oil in Africa then the lack of action right now will come back and bite them. If money makes the world go around, then oil is a pretty good lubricant to help it spin. In reality we do not have the opportunity to hit the snooze button on the alarm and give it five more minutes; the EU must respond to this issue as soon as possible. The EU needs to increase its presence in Africa and make sure that they can provide a reliable source of energy and resources in the foreseeable future. â– MW
With two Foreign Affairs committees, resource acquisition on a global scale will be discussed extensively in the General Assembly.
8
72nd International Session
The Global Issue
Looking through whose lenses? A different perspective on the role of the European Union
In EYP we discuss current European issues and try to find solutions. We think, debate, and engage because we consider Europe important for its citizens. We, as EYPers and as young Europeans, want it to develop further because we consider it important for us and for the world.
S
ometimes, though, I wonder whether we are a bit too Eurocentric. We forget that Europe is only one continent out of five (or seven depending on where your learned your geography). As a European politics student in the United States, I have talked about this with people from different corners of the world. I always encountered an appreciation for Europe as the Old World full of art, culture and history. I also found that my friends from the US, Latin America or Africa, have the same continent-bound pride that we foster in EYP. Seen through their lenses, the European Union is no more than an interesting political creature, once important and now about to be overcome by other superpowers. To justi-
Felipe de Muerge (SEDE), originally from Uruguay, thinks that BRIC countries are overtaking us Munich 2013
fy this claim, my Colombian flatmate insists on pointing out that art and business thrive in Latin America. That is where investors are turning to more and more. I have heard many similar arguments, and even without going into whether they are factually right or not, it is good to be aware of how our peers from elsewhere in the world perceive Europe. Deniz Cekirge from Turkey (SEDE) thinks that it is the prolonged economic crisis that has really hurt the EU’s image in the world. While Europe struggles, China keeps growing at 9% per year, closely followed by Brazil and India. The US is also quickly recovering from its own crisis. Deniz says that, on top of the continuing crisis, the lack of a unified European voice also explains why Europe’s influence and importance in the world are declining. She thinks that concrete steps towards a federal Europe will enable us to add more weight in world politics. From a Turkish perspective, a country that has been trying to join the European Union for the past 10 years, Deniz senses a decline in Europe’s importance and asks for more European integration. Once again, the lenses we are looking through matter. Yasmin Dinar from Sweden (SEDE) sees things differently. For her Europe remains strong and we are mistaken to see it as a federation. It is a collection of countries with different interests but a common goal and its strength rests in its diversity. Still, if strength is measured in numbers (both population and GDP), a divided Europe will not be able to measure up to the emerging economies. Felipe de Muerga from Uruguay (SEDE) thinks that in the next 10 years Brazil and China will overcome Europe both economically and politically. Currently, the economy of the European Union generates the largest GDP in the world. In spite of the crisis it generated about 2 billion USD more than the Unites States and around 9 billion USD more than China. Even with a stagnating economy the European Union seems to be doing fine. However, we do need to remember that at this very moment we are losing ground in the eyes of the world. ■ AM 9
The Source #5
10
72nd International Session
The Global Issue
Munich 2013
11
The Source #5
“Freedom is always the freedom of dissenters” – Rosa Luxemburg
E
YP aims at providing a platform for young Europeans to engage in discussions. Of course this has an educational value for every participant and creates visions for future European development. Still, one should not assume that we can change the future overnight by writing a resolution that passes in General Assembly. What we do in EYP is provide young people with the skills to actively engage in debates and express their individual opinion. This leads to a multiplier effect and creates an impact on other
12
young people’s opinions all over Europe. This is how EYP shapes the European future. Besides its educational and academic output, EYP is all about personal development and learning from others. “Getting to know new people and discussing European politics” is what EYP means to Christiane from Norway (ECON). Engaging with different people and to call new ideas into question makes EYP a lively experience for her and her fellow delegates. Likewise, Culture chair Oksana (UA) says her motiva-
72nd International Session
The Global Issue
The impact of EYP
What’s the point? As you have read in a previous issue of The Source, participating in an International Session is a unique experience. Meanwhile, our friends back home wonder what we do in EYP and most importantly what we get out of it. Every day we are challenged in several ways but does EYP actually have an impact on Europe’s youth? Do resolutions provide us with feasible solutions that can make a change?
tion for participating in EYP is “sharing of ideas and opinions with youngsters throughout Europe”. Being surrounded by youngsters from 35 different nations lets you evaluate cultural boundaries and prejudices. You get to respect other people’s opinions by learning more about their background and cultural understanding. “Tolerance, respect and a genuine appreciation for democratic ideas is nowhere to be learned and practised better than in this organisation”, is Lydia’s (DE) opinion who is part of the organising
Munich 2013
team. As this is the last issue of The Source, we want to encourage you to stay involved in EYP to further engage with young Europeans and the friends you have already made. Keep sharing your opinion with others and let them know about your personal views on EYP and European politics. Bis bald! See you soon! ■ LLd
13
The Source #5
The ever-changing EYP How we have changed as an organisation
Did you know that a few years ago delegates at spring and autumn International Sessions would stay with host families? Yes, believe it or not, up until Turin 2002 delegates did not stay in youth hostels. In fact, EYP has changed a lot as these 72 International Sessions were happening.
The 23rd International Session in Nicosia, Cyprus in 1996. Our organisation was originally run by a teacher, but is now largely the responsibility of alumni
C
an you imagine it? There was no selection process for the officials in the spring and autumn; no Chairs Academic Trainings; not many trainings at all, in fact; about half of the participants coming only from EU countries; foreign delegates and officials forbidden from participating in National Selection Sessions; and IS not completely organised by the host NCs. As incredible this list may sound to everyone who has been involved with EYP in the last four years, our quarter of a century old organisation was a different sort of animal and has gone through a lot of changes. There must have been some wind of change in Europe between 2004 and 2006. The European Union had its enlargement towards the east, while EYP’s governance was changed. From a teacher run organisation, it turned into an alumni run one. What was originally called EYP International, based in Oxfordshire and largely managed by a teacher, became the EYP Schwarzkopf Foundation which is now based in
14
Berlin and is the responsibility of alumni. It essentially became more democratic as the Governing Body and the Board of National Committees took charge, and the Charter was written and signed. These institutional changes brought a new spirit to the organisation as well. The last six or seven years were filled with the energy of alumni looking to improve EYP out of passion. From around 25 national committees, there are now 36 of them. International Sessions have between 200 and 300 delegates and emphasis is put on high quality chairing to allow for better experiences. In 2012 close to 200 sessions involved around 20 000 young Europeans, showing that whilst an International Session is still the pinnacle within EYP, there is an ever increasing focus on the strength of national sessions. Munich 2013 is the 72nd International Session of EYP and there are many more sessions to come. Keep an eye out for developments – or rather, be part of them. ■AM
72nd International Session
The Global Issue
Dear delegates, You are about to leave the session and go back to your everyday lives. Leaving Munich 2013 also means leaving a lot of friends behind that you have made during the session. The ones that you got to know best are your fellow committee members. We would like to offer you a blank page which you can fill with your own thoughts and memories. Let's share some last farewell wishes by expression your feelings below. The page is yours!
Munich 2013
15
The Source #5
Post-EYP… As the session draws to a close, all participants return to their respective home countries. But how do the delegates of the 72nd International Session in Munich plan to continue their EYP journey afterwards? ■ FH, JF Ereckle Antadze from Georgia (AFCO)
I am organiser for the 74th IS in Tbilisi!
Fatih Seyfi from Germany (AFCO)
Olena Yermankova from Ukraine (JURI)
After school, I’d like to go to regional and national sessions as a chair or as an organiser.
I am a board member of EYP Ukraine in charge of regional development. I will apply to the Zurich IS for sure!
Clea Southall from Britain
Tom Cantiller and Tommy Mallen from Ireland
I am thinking about applying as an official for sessions in Ireland
16
We will hopefully join the British National Selection Conference in Liverpool as an official
72nd International Session
The Global Issue
Athina Firtinidou from Greece (ECON)
Katie Pennick from Britain (LIBE I)
I can’t get involved much this year. It is my final year in school and I have to be very focused on my studies
I can’t wait to register as a delegate for the upcoming summer session in Zurich
Julia Kurganovich from Belarus (BUDG)
Anna Melkina from Russia (AFET I)
I feel that I have finally found the people I have been looking for so long, who also care about the world. I will try to stay involved, but in Belarus the situation is quite tough
Maybe I will try being a journalist. I also plan to become a member of EYP Russia and perhaps organise some event
Michail Heymans from Belgium (ECON)
Lara van Bladel from Belgium
I plan to study languages. So I can use what I learn from EYP in my studies. I will try to attend the 73rd IS in Zurich, if I have the time
Munich 2013
I would like to make a first attempt at chairing soon!
17
The Source #5
The politics of EYP
Political, yet apolitical EYP could easily be described as a political utopia. A place where we discuss politics without getting into the politics.
A
s a non-partisan organisation, EYP has the incredible ability to create a discussion platform in which political ideologies are left aside. Europe’s youth is content simply engaging in political dialogue without the party political aspect. Political ideologies seem to be a bit of a taboo. In many European countries, such as Britain, asking someone about their political views is considered rude. Since we follow this norm in EYP, it is perhaps time to question why.
EYP has the incredible ability to create a discussion platform in which political ideologies are left aside
Journalist Amantia Muhedini (AL) believes that a positive aspect of the lack of the political element in our discussions is that “you learn to appreciate people as people and not for their political beliefs”. Conflicting political views can be a deal-breaker in any environment and it could be a cause of disputes within EYP. So in that aspect, remaining politics-free is great. However, Amantia also voiced a concern: “I think we are missing out on clever people who would benefit a lot from each other through their different views.” Bringing alternative viewpoints to the discussion table could introduce a new aspect to EYP, where we 18
Nacho Arroniz (JURI): “In the future, I would like to see an EYP with deeper political influence within European society.”
often choose to bypass potential conflict. On the other hand, it could also bring out the bias behind people’s opinions in EYP debates. Nacho Arroniz (JURI) stated “we do discuss politics but we lack the will to discuss realistic politics on the behalf of our own personal opinions.” If that was the case, then perhaps the misconception that EYP is just “an educational project” could be avoided. Nacho thinks that EYP “lacks the ambition of actually having a say in current European politics.” If we took active steps towards enhancing EYP’s political influence then perhaps Europe would listen to its youth. “In the future, I would like to see an EYP with deeper political influence within European society.”This could perhaps make for a better EYP utopia, it might be a good idea to pause and think about the content of our debates. ■ AY
72nd International Session
The Global Issue
Meeting Ville Vasaramäki, the executive director of the EYP
Explaining Ville’s position and the responsibilities of the executive director of the EYP is easier said than done. The title gives a hint, but his job is more diverse than could be suspected.
V
ille summarises that he oversees the running head-organised a really big session but then I got of the organisation on an international level swallowed back into the game when I was elected as and functions between different elements: president of EYP Finland. I was always thinking “I the governing body of EYP, the board of nationwill quit after this!” but when a new challenge came al committees of the EYP Schwarzkopf foundation, out, I had to try it once more. and international sessions of EYP. The Berlin-based I think EYP is an amazingly impressive project but Schwarzkopf foundation aims to involve people in EuI see it becoming even better in terms of quality of edropean actions. It has supported EYP since the 1990s, ucational experience we offer. I don’t want to change especially when the old international level of EYP got EYP much but I want it to become bigger and better. into financial trouble and basically went bankrupt. One vision is that I would like every young EuropeEYP has been more financially stable since 2004 when an to take part in EYP at some level. We also want the international level of EYP officially became the to create new projects such as trainings events and program of foundation. guides for alumni. At the “My job is challenging same time we have to focus EYP is better than ever before; because EYP is in a really on the core of EYP which is it is bigger, stronger and rapid phase of development the activities on an internabut at the same time it is tional level.” growing fast very rewarding work. EYP Ville is slowly moving is better than ever before; it on with his life and quitting is bigger, stronger and growing fast. I started EYP in his job at EYP office in Berlin. “I have three passions 2001, triggered by a girl I had a big crush on. I became in life; politics, arts and sports. I already did sports involved on the board of EYP Finland and slowly when I was younger, then I moved to EYP for 12 years moved through different kind of positions and finally so now it is my time to work with art. I want start a got elected as an executive director. Step by step I got business on my own, which is to be my new project.” deeper and deeper into EYP.” ■ AKs “I first wanted to quit EYP in 2006 after I had
Munich 2013
19
The Source #5
Zurich awaits Meet the man who orchestrates your next step in EYP
For someone who “slipped into this whole EYP thing” after graduating in 2010 with a Swiss Matura in English and German, 20 year old Philip Aiolfi has accelerated fast through a number of sessions. Now with a bank of knowledge behind him, he looks to the next stage: head organising the next international session in Zurich 2013, alongside good friend Felix Kurer.
W
ithout having taken part to any session itan, restrained and elegant”. as a delegate, Philip’s EYP experience The vision for the organising team was clear from started at the Swiss Nationals, where the start. Philip and Felix agreed that they needed inhe was unwittingly roped into helping out. Despite volvement from their team from the very beginning. admitting that, with no They wanted variety of idea what was going on, experience and committhis first session was “the ment in the team: “We “I love the stress of organising. It is most stressful situation I looked for a large group a sort of buzz, it is a challenge. But have ever lived through,” of young Swiss EYPers, it is worth it in the end: what you the EYP bug had bitten, who would be motivatand amidst the bewiled and feel a sense of experience and what you create” derment a drive for furesponsibility before the ture EYP took hold. session. Our team creatA few sessions later – including having head ored the organising with us and will not just turn up ganised the 2011 Swiss National Session in Ticino – for the session.” Slightly unusually, the Swiss part of the idea of organising an international session startthe team includes people with three different mothed forming in his head. According to Philip, “first off er tongues – Italian, French and German. Because of me and Felix just joked around about organising an this, communication within the team is done cominternational session at some point. But it turns out pletely in English. In Philip’s words: “That’s what EYP that when we joke, we actually mean it.” The pair met is all about – bridging cultural divides. In Switzerland, at school before their involvement in EYP and organthe best way to respect minorities is a constantly unised the Ticino- session together, so working together der debate.” Though this is an important issue, it is not again felt natural. They created the bid in 48 hours, the theme of the session. Instead, the theme for Zuwith help from EYP Switzerland in order to come up rich is “Global Europe: working towards sustainable with the concept. Out of several possible locations economies.” This is particularly relevant for a session they chose Zurich – described by Philip as “metropolin Switzerland, the hosting country acting as a key
20
72nd International Session
The Global Issue
“Come to Switzerland, chill and relax” player in the global financial market. Furthermore, as Philip notes: “Zurich is the financial capital of Switzerland.” The theme also provides a fluent transition from Munich 2013. The focus on resources acts as a basis for discussion on sustainability. The sessions are also linked in terms of the people involved. Aside from Philip working on both organising teams, Kerstin Mathias, one of the organisers at Munich, will be presiding at Zurich. She was also the editor at Amsterdam 2012, meaning that the session can draw heavily on past experiences and use the potential from previous sessions. Indeed, focusing on past experience is one of the key things Philip discusses. He says that “I have taken a lot of notes in Munich to take into Zurich. The main thing is managing the organising team so that
Munich 2013
everything functions smoothly.” The team will consist of 24 organisers alongside with four international organisers. Philip also mentions that he is looking into planning the small organisational details, such as coffee breaks and printing placards, well in advance: “When you take care of that kind of stuff beforehand, the stress of the actual session is reduced hugely.” As the discussion turns to delegates going to Zurich, Philip strongly encourages anyone from Munich to apply. “We are not an EU country, but we are in the heart of Europe.” This provides an interesting perspective on a discussion relating to European matters. The aim of the session is to create a relaxed atmosphere and allow it to fulfil itself. Philip promises a film night and the chance to hang out by a lake. He ends on an invitation: “Come to Switzerland, chill and relax.” ■ EH, AKr
21
Bayerische Staatskanzlei
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
The activities of the European Youth Parliament are under the patronage of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
The European Youth Parliament is a programme of the Schwarzkopf Foundation.