The Source special edition: The Delegate Issue

The Delegate Issue

72nd International Session of the European Youth Parliament — Munich 2013

The Source Special Edition

Contents

Resourcing through humility 5

This special edition of The Source was not only made for, but also by you: the delegates of the 72nd IS. A bit over a week after the session, we hope your fellows’ reflections will help you digest your own experience.

See you soon in EYP! ■ HL

A bonding experience 6

Baris Can Kastas (AFCO) from Turkey

Opening eyes to Europe 4

Arbina Ajdar (TRAN) from Macedonia

Alexandra Entwistle-Thompson (ENVI) & Emily Stevenson (CULT) from Britain

Editor: Sophie Hall (CH) Editorial assistants: Oona Kiiskinen (FI) Harm van Leeuwen (NL) Timm Brünjes (DE) Journalists: Lara Lindlahr (DE) Arriana Yiallourides (CY) Lidiia Zhgyr (UA) Johanna Fürst (AT) Erasmus Häggblom (FI) Mike Whyard (UK) Fredrik Hultman (SE) Amantia Muhedini (AL) Daniels Grinevics (LV) David Meijers (NL) Annmarie Kiiskinen (FI) Christine-Bianca Hanganu (RO) Antonia Kerridge (UK) Love Lyssarides (SE) Stan van Wingerden (NL)

2

72nd International Session

The incredible cultural experience 8

Perceptions, perspectives, priorities 7 Daniela Toma (BUDG) from Romania

Common ground 9

Oops!

10

Nina Fokkink (AFET II) from the Netherlands

Nastia Yeremenko (SEDE) from Belarus

The Delegate Issue

Teresa Wemans (ITRE I) from Portugal

More impressions of Munich 2013 11

Munich 2013

3

The Source Special Edition

Britain’s complicated relationship with the EU

Opening eyes to Europe

by Alexandra Entwistle-Thompson (ENVI) and Emily Stevenson (CULT) from Britain A majority of Britons are cynical about the EU and concerned about its influence. How can EYP change mentalities?

B

ritain is one of the largest countries in the EU and notorious for its euroscepticism and insularity. In the UK, proclaiming a belief in Europe is generally met with distrust, as the EU is regarded as an intrusive force. The prime minister, David Cameron, has recently announced a referendum in 2017 to decide whether Britain should remain in the EU. Public opinion is strongly divided as two thirds of 18–34-year-olds believe that the UK should stay in, while only one third of those over 60 agree.

Coming from this background made us slightly apprehensive about the International Session. However, it has opened Britain and Europe don’t our minds to understanding that different is not necessarily bad, it is just different.

We all know that national stereotypes exist, such as the English love of tea or German timing. However, within the opening days of the session these quickly fell away as we established strong friendships with delegates from other countries. Eurovillage acted as a catalyst in the bonding process. At the beginning of the night we were firmly glued to our delegations, but as the evening progressed we gradually moved to oth-

4

er countries’ stands to create a mix of cultures. This experience was one step on the path to a better understanding of the multicultural diversity of Europe.

It is easy for us living in Britain, on an island, to feel separate from Europe. At the beginning of teambuilding we all gathered on a field to create a map, while singing our own national anthems. As time went by, we learnt more about each others’ cultures. After three days we went from more than 30 different countries’ anthems to proudly stand together to hear the anthem of Europe at the Opening Ceremony. We broke through our stereotypes and united in common aims. always see eye to eye Although the EU and the UK don’t always see eye to eye, EYP has helped us to see the true importance of understanding other cultures and the benefits of international cooperation. These are not always recognised in Britain. We believe it is important to carry them back and consider them whenever we are discussing European issues.

■

72nd International Session

The Delegate Issue

Being down to earth

Resourcing through humility

by Baris Can Kastas (AFCO) from Turkey It seems that each and every participant of this International Session (myself included) has overlooked the first half of the session motto: Down to earth. Since gravity already takes care of the literal sense of the phrase, we should focus on the metaphorical sense, that is to say, on being realistic and aware of one’s situation, and see how this can lead one to the second part of the motto: Resourcing Europe.

D

r Alan Flowers, member of the Governing Body of the EYP, says that his vision for EYP is based on one principle: a pluralistic, participative democracy. On things blocking this vision, he notes a disinterest with European politics, and adds that we as citizens need to know what we are voting on. Yet most of the time we don’t, with little to no academic preparation being a chronic problem in EYP’s case.

Fixing this issue may help us become more down to earth. The extravagant ideas that EYP resolutions sometimes suffer from, often result from people who do not mind their facts. If we start our work knowing what has been overlooked, or already solved, we can get much more fruitful results.

We shouldn’t just stop at decent results: each of us has more potential than we can imagine. Every delegate came here through thorough observation and very careful selection, through which we also got to know the format. It was in a youth conference that the basis for the Annan Plan for Cyprus was created (which, despite its ultimate failure, was one of the biggest candidates for solving the island’s division). We, the European Youth Parliament, mustn’t aim for any

Munich 2013

less.

Such results are only possible through realistic and creative discussions. Dr Flowers cites Resource Village as one of the possible ways of achieving his vision. It is true that we can find many sources for our research: not just official resources, The Source or websites. We can turn everything into a source of information. The people we get to meet, the impressions of our surroundings in Munich; every little piece is available to the careful observer.

Careful observers among us probably also noticed that we are often seen as exemplary young people because of our active democratic participation. One of the little things we can do in an attempt to be worthy of such overwhelming praise is being down to earth and humble. Getting our facts straight, gathering extensive information about our topics, and realising what we can and can’t do: after resourcing ourselves through these, we can resource Europe in ways never before seen.

■

5

The Source Special Edition

Applying the Transport topic to the committee structure

A bonding experience

by Arbina Ajdar (TRAN) from Macedonia

Flowcharts all over the floor, chairs in a circle and a long sentence written on the whiteboard. These surrounded EYP delegates and chairpersons for the past days in the Technical University of Munich.

A

t times you would find us trying hard to keep our eyes open from the lack of sleep.

The queues during coffee breaks were long, in hope of maintaining some concentration for the rest of the day. You would even find the stragglers who missed their shift and had to join other committees.

But speaking from the Committee on Transportation and Tourism’s perspective, the most important thing is that we did not find committee work exhausting.

We will not only associate those days of work with discussions, making point and clauses but, above all, feelings. A feeling of inclusion: of being useful, re-

We were nothing but a great example of a Compact Committee

6

spected and taken seriously. A feeling of belonging and even a feeling of joy.

Starting with a warm welcome from our chairperson up until finalising the clauses of our resolution, we were nothing but a great example of a Compact Committee. We were brainstorming ideas and facts in not such a stormy way. Even throwing these ideas out was rather well structured. Everyone’s opinion was heard and taken into consideration. All the different perspectives that were presented resulted in compiling fairly good points. Finally there was writing and phrasing the clauses properly. We worked with one native English speaker and a bunch of other Europeans using expressive hand gestures in search of the right English word to say what we really meant.

We also dealt with bad handwriting, unique accents, catchy phrases (“okay, fair enough”) and piles of postits waiting to be examined.

However, at the end of the day, it was not only the resolution that mattered. During the whole process there were no judging looks amongst us. No underestimating of others’ ideas. No intolerance or any rude behaviour.

We have the utmost respect and appreciation for our chairperson who sacrificed hours of sleep, gave us his full attention and made us feel at home every time we spotted our placard. And simply, for bringing out the best of our Compact Committee concept.

So, how do we manage the sustainability of this committee in the crowded GA session? Surely a resolution that passes would make us rather proud. But, so far we are very glad that we managed to produce one that just does not make us ashamed of having our names written on it.

Feelings. Feelings of satisfaction.

■

72nd International Session

The Delegate Issue

Should EYPers dare to be more edgy?

Perceptions, perspectives, priorities

by Daniela Teodora Toma (BUDG) from Romania Normality has always been a tricky notion to define. Its primary meaning revolves around another term: majority. Non-conformists, out of the box thinkers; those categories were established as exceptions from the rules of society and what was deemed appropriate.

H

owever, one hour into teambuilding and being exploited to the fullest. But do we need creaI had already started rethinking my views tivity when talking money? Is there a possibility that about what makes us normal, or special, taking more risks may lead to the desired outcome or and the factors that shape how we perceive ourselves will we end up muddling through the status quo? Will and the rest of the world, giving a compelling insight our safe perceptions, perspectives and priorities be into my colleagues’ minds. enough for a European community that faces more When faced with the question “What makes you challenges day by day or are these the actual solutions normal?” most of the delegates choose to answer by that we have been waiting for? giving safe examples such as “I like ice-cream” or Whether we need to include more edgy measures “I’m hungry” and their ideas prove the moderate atin our efforts or stick to balanced actions is a mattitude that also dominated ter that will not only decide the committee work. Delethe future of the European gates, or at least members of community but also the perWill our safe perceptions, perspecthe Committee on Budgets, ceptions, perspectives and tives and priorities be enough? view reform as a manner priorities of the generations of achieving efficiency, and to follow.

■ not turning the world upside down. The committee’s focus was on balanced, thoughtful measures, and in this case, playing it safe does not imply lowering the pace or avoiding facing the issues at stake, but analysing the matters from as many angles as the three day-discussions permitted and stating the common nominator of each delegate’s point of view.

The topic that the Committee on Budgets had to tackle gravitated around the issue of distributing financial resources, turning the resolution into a priorities-divided piggy bank. A down-to-earth approach is typically expected from economic areas, as they require concrete and concise policies and this was mainly how the committee chose to answer the task.

Nonetheless, this moderation that dominated the discussions might seem to limit the innovative measures that could be taken in said cases, setting boundaries for creativity and restraining certain areas from

Munich 2013

7

The Source Special Edition

EYP from a Belarusian perspective

The incredible cultural experience

by Nastia Yeremenko (SEDE) from Belarus As a Belarusian EYPer, the 72nd International session in Munich was the first time I got to see so many countries through their national representatives. Belarus is a closed country and only minority gets a chance to actually travel. But thanks to boundless belief Dr Alan Flowers’s belief in Belarusian youth, I got the chance to become a part of a never-to-be-forgotten event of cultural sharing of national experience. And this I will never forget.

I

t seems that I have got to know the whole world in a course of 10 days of the session. Through getting to know each other, through mutual work and free time, altogether we were able to become a little bit more European. Despite numerous differences in appearances, outlook, beliefs, we managed to create a unique combination of diversities for the sake of common achievement of the goal. During team-building and committee work, I enjoyed the whole idea to be at least hypothetically present in the sphere of European society. Delegates from the Netherlands, Turkey, Poland, Macedonia, Moldova, Spain, Ukraine, Check Republic, Greece, Cyprus, France and Italy gave me the opportunity to get closer to Europe. At once I realized how different we are, and at once I came to the conclusion how crucial it is to get together so that to fulfil one another.

Thinking of the whole Europe, I see EYP as its body, diverse, complicated, inevitable striving for cooperation and co-existence. Like any human body manages to combine so many structures and mechanisms in a perfect collaboration so EYP succeeds in putting together diverse components of the whole Europe and its neighbours. It is an incredible body of European society that makes us believe.

I truly believe that EYP session has changed me. It absolutely does not mean that I have become someone opposite. It rather means that it took me on a journey having passed which I found myself a little bit further from where I had been and a little closer to the person I am to become. And I can definitely state that it is not about the destination, it is about the journey itself, and EYP makes this journey filled with life.

8

Whoever you are, wherever you come from – EYP gives you a chance to stand out, to speak up, to share and to embrace In the end it is pretty simple: whoever you are, wherever you come from – EYP gives you a chance to stand out, to speak up, to share and to embrace. It is the best source of self-development, cultural dialogue and overall experience that takes you closer to who you are.

■ 72nd International Session

The Delegate Issue

Active European citizenship

Common ground

by Nina Fokkink (AFET II) from the Netherlands Being at the airport after ten life changing days was strange and unbelievable. I just couldn’t comprehend the fact that I was actually going home. As I sat near my gate, I reached for my backpack. I needed to find something to busy my mind with, for my post EYP depression was starting to get unbearable.

We found common ground in odd places at all times: during committee work, at breakfast and in the dead of the night

T

he first thing I could find was my resolution booklet. Beaten after the many times I’d quickly scanned through it, with many scribbled notes in the sidelines, it felt like a companion. I found the page I wanted to look at the most, the one I already knew by heart. It was the resolution of my committee, Foreign Affairs II. Ensuring that materials are extracted in a conflict free and sustainable manner is no small feat. Transparency was something we agreed on immediately and where our common ground ended abruptly. How could we check the information the companies would provide of their supply chains?

As we sat there, growing more and more agitated by the second, a consensus felt ages away. Our threehour debate all boiled down to this: Would a group created by the EU be feasible? Are third party auditors credible? During these debates I understood the very essence of EYP. Everyone had a different opinion, but we were all aiming for the same goal. No one was

Munich 2013

looked down upon for his or her opinion.

The one thing that really struck me as I sat there was the amount of trust and hope some of my fellow committee members store in the EU. The Dutch are actually considering stepping out of the EU. There have been many campaigns and any more interference of the EU is unthinkable. The EU has provided us with numerous advantages we’ve been taking for granted, but many are mainly focusing on its disadvantages. As I heard my Polish comrade vigorously defend the EU, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for sitting there.

Looking back, I do know we all had more common ground than we initially thought. Common grounds we found in odd places at all times: during committee work, at breakfast and in the dead of the night. It doesn’t matter where we were from, all that matters is that we were there. We voiced our opinions and learnt from each other. We, as the certificate clearly stated, indeed took an active part in European citizenship. ■ 9

The Source Special Edition

Oops!

General Assembly day

by Teresa Wemans (ITRE I) from Portugal Fancy dresses and suits, smart conversations, flipping booklets and so many other indicators that make you feel nervous.

W

ell, nervous is putting it lightly. You are by a sea of yellow and pink and you are so confused almost passing out because you were that you do not know what to do anymore. You start assigned with the answering of the first shaking. You do not even pay attention to the points round of debate and you do not feel prepared at all. made anymore, you just wish that you would not That would be totally fine if your resolution was the have accepted your task. Your GA abilities have disfirst one and you could get it over and done with appeared completely in these four months since the quickly. But no. It is the fourth one. national session. You feel so stupid… Now you will And so it begins. It is time to try to be active and let everyone down and it is going to be really embarignore what is going through your mind. rassing.

Somewhere in the middle of the second resolution, And, suddenly, you hear your committee being you actually manage to forget about your nerves. It is recognized. a very interesting topic and you write so many post-its You are toast. that your hand hurts after a while.

Someone hands you a microphone and a few more You are a little bit more confident and your spirits post-it notes. You start speaking and reading as much are higher. Maybe it will not be that bad. Maybe you as you can of the post-it sea. You do not even need to will be good at it. Who knows? think, you just read and connect sentences.

The coffee break flies by at the speed of sound You are more confident, you even manage a joke while you and your committee go over the entire set somewhere in the middle. This is going well! Who of operative clauses, get more post-its, create a system would have thought? You did not really need to be of circulation for them and freak out that nervous. It is instinctive, autoa little more. matic. You talk and all of it comes out Now, it is seriously getting to you. like that.

You have one more point You think about just passing the reYou have one more point to to make. One more sensponsibility on to one of your fellow make. One more sentence. One more tence. One more word… delegates, but you know you cannot word… do that.

Blank.

It is time. It has started.

What was that word, where did it Reading of the operative clausgo? What just happened inside your es, points of information (until now, mind? Oh my god… what do you do? you are fine), defence speech (you get You have already searched in every emotional and super confident), atpost-it, everyone is waiting… tack speech (you consider the point, You have only one last thing to but automatically discharge it besay… cause the defence speech is still stingOops! ■ ing in your ears), defending the attack speech (we are frawesome!), open debate.

This is it.

Your table is immediately flooded

10

72nd International Session

The Delegate Issue

More impressions of Munich 2013

Anna Galkina (CULT) from Russia

“C

ould I ever have imagined that parliamentary work can be so lively and give me so much pleasure? Actually not, but my participation in the 72nd IS in Munich changed everything. The great atmosphere during teambuilding, when you are so serious and funny at the same time; the intensive efforts during committee work; lively debates and speeches at GA. In accordance with the its motto, Munich 2013 has taught me that Europe’s best resource are highly motivated, active and inquisitive people such as everybody who attended this session.”

Simona Della Valle (LIBE II) from Spain

“T

he journey home.

The train of thought inside my head runs much faster than the one I am standing in. It takes me through every little thing that has happened in the last 10 days. The venues, the hostel, the debates, the hard work, the fun games, the people… Even exhausting transfers and strict timetables come to my head with nostalgia. All of these little things combine and give shape to the unforgettable experience of Munich 2013: intense, extraordinary and precious.

I realize that the memories of the past days will stay with me forever, as for better as for worse, I cherish every single second.

And then, when I finally arrive at my home on the outskirts of Barcelona, that’s when it hits me.

Everything is the same as I had left it, but I have changed. I have this new, satisfying feeling of belonging to something bigger: bigger than the house in front of me and certainly bigger than myself: the EYP.”

“M

Munich 2013

Adela Alexandra Iacobov (ECON) from Romania

unich 2013 was a session that changed our perspectives forever. From the most challenging teambuilding games, that helped us all bond as real teams, to the most challenging debates in both committee work and the GA, the 72nd IS was a model of a perfect session, and our chairpersons were role models for us.

The diversity highlighted in the Eurovillage and Euroconcert made us all even more aware of the role of EYP: to cherish national heritage, while bringing together different cultures. In EYP, each of us can discover Europe first-hand, without the stereotypes and prejudices, but with an open mind and a feeling of solidarity.”

11

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.