Academic Issue | Salo 2017 – Regional Session of EYP FI

ACADEMIC ISSUE Salo 2017 – Regional Session of EYP Finland created by the Media Team

THE COLLAPSE OF GLOBALISATION

BY TAMARA MLADENOVIĆ (RS)

Let me tell you a story about an island nation that became a member of the family called the European Union.

It all started in the 1973, when the island nation, the United Kingdom, joined EEC (European Economic Community

Even then, only two years after joining this family, not everyone was sure if the UK belongs there, so the UK held its to stay. In the years since, the EEC has transformed fully into the European Union, which subsequently expanded to

By the definition, union is the action of joining together or the fact of being joined together, especially in a political co then give some rights to it. As if in marriage, “I” becomes “we”, as well as “me” becomes “us”, but it seems like the U pound sterling as its currency instead of adopting the Euro and neither did the UK join the open border that the rest

The EU and the United Kingdom reached some compromises, but there were still issues that remained. The main t litical elitism.

This was a shock for the EU’s, as well as for the UK’s population and it contributed to confusion and unsteadiness b

“For all the European citizens who care about creating liberal, open, tolerant societies, there is an urgent need of a new vision – a vision of a more tolerant, inclusive globalisation that brings people with us rather than leaving them behind.

It is about us, so stop for a second, and think about our future.”

As Alexander Betts, a professor at the university of Oxford and an expert on

“There were calls for a second referendum, almost as if following a sports m Minister for calling the referendum in the first place. They blamed the leader ucated. That complete meltdown was made even worse by the most tragic in my lifetime.”

The procedure started in June 2016 and is still one of the main issues that Member States and the UK have formally agreed the terms, Brexit can be co

Like when getting a divorce, there are obligations that must be solved. Ther

So, the questions are how should we minimise the impact of the UK’s exit fro Brexit? How should we collectively respond?

1

y), which was back then consisted of Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany.

first ever national referendum to decide whether it should turn around and leave, however the majority chose o 28 Member States.

ontext. If you were a member of this family called European Union, you ought to have made some changes and United Kingdom did not actually want to get rid of some recognitions. For example, it chose to keep the British t of the EU created in 1995 by the Schengen Agreement, to create completely free movement within the Union.

things that led to the metaphorical ‘divorce’ between the UK and the EU were economics, sovereignty and po-

between these two populations.

the migration crisis, said at one of the TED Conferences:

match we could ask the opposition for a replay. Everybody was blaming everybody else. People blamed the Prime r of the opposition for not fighting it hard enough. The young accused the old, the educated blamed the less well-edc element of it: levels of xenophobia and racist abuse in the streets of Britain at a level that I have never seen before

need to be solved in the EU. No one can predict how negotiations will develop over the next 18 months, but if all ompleted on schedule in March 2019.

re are two sides with different priorities and every decision made will lead to enormous consequences.

om the Union? How should the EU ensure a favourable outcome in the negotiations? Will it be a Soft Brexit or a Hard

2

THE TASK OF SECURING THE MULTILINGUAL HERITANCE IN

BY APOSTOLOS SOUFLIS-RIGAS (GR)

Languages represent the main code that every person uses from early age in order to communicate with their rela opinions related to the issues of our daily lives. Every nation has its own official language. Have you ever thought t and its effect on its harmony and culture?

The European Union, of which we are all citizens, targets at exactly that – linguistic diversity. But why is that so? Ap of communication. They are not only a part of their personal identity, but also a part of their shared inheritance. Firs the national literature, their national anthem. It constitutes an element that unites a nation during demanding peri

Bonjour

However, widespread languages such as English, Russian or Chin political and even the scientific field; especially English as it is an i non-native terms. In this way, certain native words of each langua its originality? Even on a national scale, the language of migrants t in peripheral areas of countries preventing the natural maintenan consideration.

Fortunately, the EU, United Nations (UN), or the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are widely supporting the protecting of a linguistic diversity. There are already numerous measures in place to promote systems of learning multiple languages simultaneously. It is known and praised that students in the Finnish schools learn three languages. It is vital that all the Member States move towards that direction. A significant act are the Erasmus+ Programmes, which provide students with the opportunity to visit foreign countries and learn more about their culture and language, whilst having fun and making trips. The European Day of Languages has also been established. In terms of policy-making, the European Roadmap for Linguistic Diversity has been agreed on and is set to be implemented in the period 2016–2019.

Hei! 3

To sum up, the EU has w right direction. What we youth to make the differe

As Ludwig Wittgenstein, a many languages, so it is u

¡Hola

N THE EU

atives and friends. They are the tool for us to express our emotions (e.g. love, happiness, frustration) and our through the importance of a unique language, or even minority or regional languages, for a nation or a group

pparently, the languages for either a minority or a bigger population represent much more than just the code rstly, the language is a very fundamental part of the culture of everyone as it is the mean to express the history, iods, such as wars.

r Привет!

nese have proved to be more appealing than others to learn. These are the most common languages in business, international language. As the result, many English terms have been included in other languages untranslated – as age have receded and have been replaced by an English term. Is this not an immediate threat for a language to lose tends to fade away, compared to the official language of the nation. Last but not least, there is a demographic issue nce of regional dialects and their unique idioms. Therefore the ageing of the population should be also taken into

widely embraced the coexistence of many languages. The funding is sufficient and the policy is heading towards the are missing on, are innovative and effective ideas that will boost the linguistic diversity in our Union. It is up to the ence. After all, if it is not us, who else can approach the issue in a democratic manner without stereotypes?

a famous Austrian-British philosopher, said: “The limits of my language are the limits of my world.” Europe is ‘hosting’ up to us to bring set up no limits in the European culture.

4

IS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE HARD TO UNDERSTAND AND LEGA

BY BEYZA ATALAY (TR)

WHAT ARE WE DEALING WITH?

Many people are facing difficulties with embracing who they are and who they love. With more and more suppo they are opening more about their sexuality, however, most countries do not encourage such relationships. Imagin the person you love and getting ‘no’ as an answer solely because your way of living is not accepted. In certain countr can face can and will go even further from a decline in a civil partnership; from mental and physical abuse to a death the world we live in to be so narrow-minded?

Currently, same-sex marriage is defined as “marriage between partners of the same sex (as recognised in some juri ford Dictionary. Although there is not enough coverage regarding LGBTQ+ community in this definition, there are 23 Member States. 14 of the 23 have legalised same-sex marriage, whereas seven of them have similar rights to ma limited rights. Keeping in mind that there are almost twice as many countries in Europe, there is still a long way to g the EU Member States have taken the steps towards unity, starting with the Netherlands.

WHO IS HELPING?

There are multiple authorities working towards unity among the M between 2016–2019 with the purpose of empowering the people Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) which au

In addition to this support mechanism, Chapter 3, Article 21 of the charter is legally binding and EU institutions and national govern

Although the major steps being taken are not vast in numbers, th have had an effect on the legally binding steps becoming valid ev

THE NEXT STEPS …

Everyday, LGBTQ+ citizens are facing verbal and physical abuse and this drives them to becoming someone they are not in order to not face such negativity.

In 2012, the LGBTQ+ citizens of the EU Member states were given a survey by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in order to observe their day-to-day lives and the discrimination levels they are facing. Regarding the discrimination because of being LGBT in areas of life outside employment; the Netherlands had the lowest percentage with 20% whereas Lithuania had the highest discrimination with 42 %.

5

ALISE?

ort growing globally, ne applying to marry ries, the suffering you h penalty. Do we want

isdictions)” in the Oxsteps being taken in arriage and two have go. However, many of

Source: The Telegraph

Member States. The European Commission has established The List of Actions to Advance LGBTI Equality to be valid e suffering from discrimination relating to sexual orientation. This list can be supported by articles 10 and 19 of the uthorises the EU to legislate coping mechanisms relating to the same kind of discrimination.

e Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union protects sexual minorities. Just like the Treaty of Lisbon, this nments have to accept it.

here is a massive amount of support coming from NGOs or local communities. The actions starting from minorities very day.

Keeping in mind that these results are specifically including adults, how do you think the results would vary if the survey aimed at younger citizens as well? The survey asked the question “During your schooling before the age of 18, did you … Hear or see negative comments or conduct because a schoolmate was perceived to be LBGT?” and the results were shocking. 83% of the respondents residing in Latvia have been in such situation and it is regrettable to state that Latvia is the lowest among the other Member States.

Seeing that the discrimination starts from such early stages of life, household education and peer pressure possibly have a major effect. Are we sure that every LGBTQ+ citizen is aware of their rights and the chances provided to them? Even if they are, will they be willing to take a step against the discriminators? Will legally binding actions be enough to eliminate the suffering of current and future generations?

6

THE CRISES

BY AXEL AARNIO (FI)

Let me tell you, dear reader, a story about a Greek family – the Papoutsis family. The Papoutsis family lived a normal lems. The parents of the family both had stable incomes and everything was fine. But then came the economic crisis the problems started. First, their mother lost her job and then their father went through the same. Now there was n considered an everyday task now became a struggle. What was before an everyday thing, such as putting food on t new clothes, now became a problem the parents had to deal with.

After the burst of the housing bubble in the United States, an econo – mainly Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. As the weaker However, as the global crisis began, the lenders started to deman

The Eurozone and the EU took measures to help the struggling ec etary fund. In 2010, the European Financial Stability Facility was e the struggling nations with over €250 billion. Other ways work has economic growth within the Eurozone. Some more polarising sol office of the European Financial Minister.

As always, these issues are not without conflicts. Ever since the adopting of the common currency there have been mon currency, but the sceptics of the entire EU. Some of the anti-European voices proclaim that the reason for all th individual countries to use monetary policies, such and devaluing and revaluing their currency in times of crisis. An the “richer” Member States are just upset that their countries are paying to take care of the “poorer” countries.

Raising some significant questions is thus now important. What do you think the EU should do to prevent these k Central Bank have more control? Or do you think the answer lies in making better bailout processes? These are som

7

quiet life without any probs. Seemingly all of a sudden, no money. What was before the table or buying the kids

omic crisis spread across the globe. Some of the national economies of the Eurozone came to the brink of collapsing economies of the Eurozone, they were already stuck in a vicious circle of taking loans to payoff their existing debts. nd their money back faster and at a higher rate, resulting in major problems for the already struggling economies.

conomies by handing out bailout packages in cooperation with the stronger economies and the international monestablished as way to help the struggling nations. This, later replaced by the European Stability Mechanism, helped s been done to help the struggling countries is the European Central Bank lowering interest rates to help stimulate lutions are thrown on the table. Such as the establishment of an European Monetary Fund and the creation of the

n voices against it. The problems with the Euro have provided ammunition not only to the sceptics of the comhe problems is the Euro. The basis of this argument is that the common currency takes away the possibility to n example of this is the reaction of the Swedish and Finnish economies to the economic crisis. Some citizens of

kinds of crises from emerging again? Is the answer in increasing economic integration? Should the European me of the biggest questions for one to consider and they could in the end shape the world we are all living in.

8

THE TWO-EDGED SWORD OF BASIC INCOME

BY FIIA LIITI (FI)

“[Hanging] thieves is both unjust and undesirable. As a punishment, it’s too severe, and as a deterrent, it’s quite ineffe penalty on earth will stop people from stealing, if it’s their only way of getting food. [...] Instead of inflicting these horrib some means of livelihood, so that nobody’s under the frightful necessity of becoming, first a thief, and then a corpse.”

These were words published in a book Utopia, written by an English bishop already in the 16th century. The idea o though the discussion has increased recently due to countries such as Finland and the Netherlands starting trials on security model where every citizen receives in regular intervals a certain amount of money for subsistence, uncondi to take part time jobs without a fear for losing their unemployment benefits.

The trial in Finland has been a two edged sword in the discussion unemployment benefits. The subsidies of €560 were offered to pe The trial has been criticised for the small amount of money since bureaucracy, people selected have been able to take up even low

The UBI has been supported by many. Few of the most notable o support for UBI has been coming from both sides of the political ensure a better balance between work and private life, families an and find the effective way up from poverty.

The right, on the other hand, has been more attracted to the idea of Austerity Basic Income. Also, tech billionaires, s reduce the government’s role in providing services to its citizens. This would lead to privatisation and shift the resp

Even though there is a general interest in proposals for UBI, there is a major political stumbling block that arises o tem. That is why an implementable would be it either a lot less generous or extremely expensive. In other words, th UBI would be unaffordable. For example the amount of money offered in UBI trial in Finland is only sufficient for so poverty do not need only money but also employment counselling, housing supports, crisis intervention, and pers

9

ective. Petty larceny isn’t bad enough to deserve the death penalty. And no ble punishments, it would be far more to the point to provide everyone with

of a universal basic income has been around for the past 500 years even n providing their unemployed citizens with a basic income. UBI is a social itionally. Thus, governments hope it would courage unemployed citizens

n. Randomly selected 2,000 Finnish people between 25 and 58 years of age who were already getting some form of eople who had been unemployed for about one year or more, or who had less than six months of work experience. e that is not viable but rather a form of unconditional unemployment benefits. On the other hand, it has decreased w-paying jobs and their stress has been reduced.

ones are Friedrich von Hayek, Richard Nixon, Bernie Sanders and Martin Luther King, Jr. Looking at the names, the spectrum. How come is it supported by both the right wing and the left wing? The left wing believes that it would nd private commitments for all and not only for those who can afford it. They also want to narrow the wealth gap

such as Mark Zuckerberg, have expressed their interest in it. This is because there are expectations that it would ponsibility to families and communities.

once discussion moves away from general principles to concrete proposals about how to fund that kind of syshe subsidy would likely be inadequate in terms of coverage and support offered to individuals, but an adequate ome days instead of a whole month. To use UBI to rise from poverty is by only itself inadequate since people in sonal advocacy.

10

THE TWO-EDGED SWORD OF BASIC INCOME

BY FIIA LIITI (FI)

On the other hand, as a concept, UBI would solve a plethora of problems lying in our society. It would reduce pove UBI could also protect people from hindering wage growth, low wages, and the lack of job security caused by the eff short-term contracts, and increased automation in the workplace. UBI would also enable people to stay in school lo Additionally, it would provide income for non-working parents and thus empowering especially women who choos

So can a basic income play a cen there are many reasons to welco implement UBI to its fullest poten and leading to a labor and skills s

11

erty, income inequality, and improve health. The ffects of the growing “gig� economy, such as Uber, onger and participate in training to learn a trade. se to stay at home.

ntral and productive role as part of a strategy that provides a more inclusive foundation for social equality? While ome basic income experiments, we also need to recognize that there are economic reasons why it would be hard to ntial. Additionally, there is also a possibility for it to remove the incentive to work, adversely affecting the economy shortage. However, there is no way of knowing anything for sure unless you do not go through trial and error.

12

THE PRICE OF FREE MOVEMENT

BY NINNI ISSAKAINEN (FI)

Most of us probably have benefited from the free movement between certain countries in Europe or at least have benefited from it countless times without thinking much about it. My eyes were opened to its greatness last summe between Estonia and Latvia, when I went across the city, and for the first time I truly understood the freedom that I

Of course as I was just being a nosy tourist looking for new experiences, I just saw this as a new experience, but f around Europe, crossing border is a necessity for making a living as they work and live in different countries.

The free movement around Europe is a result of the Schen it includes common rules for controlling external borders the area. The Schengen agreement is important for Europ

However, in the light of the migration crisis and several ter checks within internal borders and more thorough check

Right now, the Schengen Agreement is failing to provide th million cross-border commuters, who were dependant on in some cases even daily, and border checks would signifi

On the o from ter free mo tourism

There h waiting tice, wh is most externa

The pro the who to the fa the wor

13

heard of its existence. I have always known about it and er in Valka, where I was able to just walk across the border had taken for granted.

for many people in that city, and many similar locations

ngen Agreement, which allows free movement of goods, services, and capital inside the Schengen Area. In addition, s and strengthening common judicial system and police cooperation, contributing to the security of residents inside pe and it affects both work and leisure travelling and well as the economy.

rrorist attacks around Europe, the borders have started to close again through the introduction of temporary border ks on the external borders. Therefore, the heart of the Schengen Agreement – the free movement – is threatened.

he passport free zone it promises, which is affecting the residents living inside the Area. In 2014, there was almost 1.7 n the Agreement to work in other countries than their own. These people cross the internal borders at least weekly, ficantly affect their life, increasing their travelling time from work to home with hours.

other side of the problem, there are the Schengen countries themselves, who want to protect themselves rrorism and the migrant flow. They see that a tighter border control is the right solution even if it sacrifices ovement. This of course complicates the life of a cross-border commuter, but also has a negative effect on m and workers, who travel outside the Schengen Area for leisure and business trips.

have also been changes in the external border control as they have been increased, resulting into hours-long times at airports, causing trouble to travellers. The more thorough passport checks are a rather new prachich means airports lack the proper equipment or personnel to carry out the checks efficiently. This however, likely a temporary problem which will be lost once airports figure out the right way to do so and thus the al borders can be more secure without compromising the comfort of travelling.

oblem of internal border security is much harder to answer and there is no simple solution. At this moment ole future of the Schengen has been questioned. Some have even speculated that the recent events will lead all of the Schengen Agreement. However, fully abolishing the Agreement would not resolve the problems of rkers and it would only be a big symbolic loss for the EU and its unity.

14

THE PRICE OF FREE MOVEMENT

BY NINNI ISSAKAINEN (FI)

The EU itself is not giving up on its problems. It is adapting the Agreement and trying to make it answer the needs o They have come out with regulations like the regulation EU 2017/458, which for example is addressing the externa what should be done to it. This however, does not answer to the problem of internal border controls.

The EU overall seems to see the increased border control of external borders this is more justified, but the internal f drive to ensure the safety which does not come in expens

After all, we want to make sure that the future generation

15

of the Member States. al border control and

l as the main solution and when it cannot be argued that it is not one of the solutions, it is not the only one. In case free movement should not be compromised. Maybe instead of focusing on the borders, the EU should more actively se of cross-border commuters and focus on developing the police cooperation and common judicial system further.

ns can experience the same amazement I had in Valka.

16

THROUGH COLLABORATION TO HAPPINESS

BY ELIF ASLI Ă–ZER (TR)

Displeasure, unhappiness, forces gathering together against governments. Gunshots being heard first in Tunisia, fol lines with fatherless kids lacking clear future. The Arab Spring has not been just a revolutionary movement, but gre world, affecting millions of people. Countries have come together, trying to find permanent solutions; but have the

Now, the reflections of this crisis on our lives are bigger as the poor women and children are sitting by the traffic light more rivals when applying for a job. It has not been easy for the people of the affected countries either, no need to m between the happiness of the refugees and the people of the Member States should be set. The focus should be to thereby ensuring a tolerated atmosphere.

In September 2015, the countries closer to the mentioned area, s social crises with sudden and unexpected overpopulation. Then t importance of eliminating the geopolitical factors and accepting t do their bits in order to solve this problem. Unfortunately, not all th the lack of time and interest from the Member States caused thou by the EU did not work out as planned and a big chunk of the pro

17

llowed by Egypt, Libya and Syria. Homeless, starving people and streets turning into front rew larger than expected; causing the emergence of thousands of refugees all around the ey been successful yet, how did the EU approach this problem?

ts asking for money, men with ripped shirts walking down the streets, and sometimes even mention how hard it is for the refugees. None of the sides is happier now, but the balance give the refugees the rights they deserve without causing the public lack of quality of life;

such as Italy, Hungary and Greece welcomed a large amount of refugees who made them face both economic and the EU came up with a scheme, which proposed a collaboration of the Member States. This scheme pointed out the that this problem affects the EU as a whole, therefore demanding each Member State to be aware of their duties and he countries turned out to be as committed as expected. The transportation responsibilities not wanted to be taken, usands of stranded refugees, waiting in squalid conditions to be relocated. Long story short, the scheme authored oblem is still not solved – but what further steps can still be taken? How can a well-working scheme be designed?

A permanent solution can only be provided by making the war come to an end, however as this will not be happening with a blink of an eye, the best way out would be provided if the Member States recognised this problem and did their part in solving it. Because, as the President of the European Commission Juncker said, “the Europeans should know the best of the difficulties refugees face, as a great amount of them suffered living as refugees once in their history.� Therefore they should approach the refugees with understanding and do their best. Maybe if the previous scheme was more realistic and was accepted by each country, it could have worked. So, we should not give up as the problem still exists, and find ourselves new pathways through collaboration to provide an environment, where each side will be living in welfare.

18

AN AVIATION MARKET RICH IN PROBLEMS

BY OLIVER VAN DER WEIJ (FI)

When the Wright brothers first achieved air travel in a heavier-than-air vehicle back in 1903, the world was much diff effect vehicles had on the environment. The Wright brothers were free to engineer a flying machine without the ne had a purely white canvas, they could paint their invention on. Now in 2017, the air industry is less like the empty wh be deeply thought out and planned or catastrophic consequences may ensue.

In the first years of commercial air travel, travelling by plane was far from the best and most efficient way to get from by train. Nevertheless, flying became more and more popular. Slowly the air industry became more comfortable, m transportation between large distances, and the occasional business trip a few hundred kilometres away. However

Imagine yourself studying half way across Europe from your family. You want to go back and see your parents and the same as your rent for a whole month. You consider taking the train or the bus, but notice that you would not arr know planes emit greenhouse gases straight into the stratosphere, where it has much more effect than at ground le

The EU realises that the air travel industry is far from perfect and m to competitiveness globally. It also does not neglect the need for c At the moment the situation contains may problems, such as the of plane tickets, and the always present environmental drawback

We eventually wish to eliminate all these problems by having mult in the EU, low prices of plane tickets to ensure sustaining demand backs.

Why is the air industry not where we want it to be?

19

fferent from what it is now. There were no vehicles in the air, no airports, and no one was concerned about the eed to consider the emission levels of the motor, the passenger capacity or the profitability of the flight. They hite canvas it was a hundred years ago, but more like a game of Jenga, where even the smallest changes must

m point A to point B. Airplanes were loud and cold, tickets were expensive, and you could have travelled faster more efficient, and much faster than any other means of transportation. Now, planes are the go to vehicle for r, nothing is perfect, and air travel still has a long way to go, before it becomes truly trouble and care free.

your siblings on Christmas, but you search for plane tickets online only to find out that a one-way ticket costs rive before Christmas eve. You simply have to take the plane, but you also feel bad the whole time because you evel.

makes efforts to change it. The EU sees that the air travel industry in the EU could be much improved when it comes change in the environmental aspect of travelling by plane, hence the investments in the SESAR 1 Programme. monopoly of some airlines at certain airports, the lack in competitiveness of the air industry in the EU, high prices of air travel.

tiple airlines travelling from all airports to ensure competition, a truly working and globally competitive air industry d for flying, and lastly the use of environmentally friendly technology in airplanes to minimise environmental draw-

20

AN AVIATION MARKET RICH IN PROBLEMS

BY OLIVER VAN DER WEIJ (FI)

Never is there only one reason for a problem. These problems can be explained by lack in innovation, lack of funds ever truly black and white and this is most likely the main reason changing the situation takes a very long time.

So far the European Commission (EC) has focused more on the environmental aspects of the air industry in the EU. duced the Single European Sky (SES) legislation, from which the technical component (SESAR) alone is expected to member states towards noise pollution.

The problems that currently surround the air travel industry in th that, as mentioned before, the situation is not as black and white EU’s air travel industry more competitive, chances are, it will take

If, however, the problems are not addressed, the aviation market o more airports might go bankrupt as might airlines. Aside from the tries, which hinders their competitiveness. In a worst case scenari

The positive side to all this is that the situation is unlikely to escal It is just up to finding the right ones.

21

s, lack of attractiveness of air travel for consumers, the list goes on and on. The matter of the fact is, nothing is

It has, for example, invested in research and development of more environmentally friendly technology, introo reduce emissions by 10 % per flight, and issued a directive which should achieve a common stance between

he EU are very complex ones that most likely have one or more “simple� solutions, but the reality of the situation is e as it may seem. One problem being solved may lead to two other issues. While the EU is taking action to make the many failures and attempts, before the goals of the EU will be achieved.

of the EU will remain as underpowered as it is currently, while other aviation markets improve and evolve. More and ese, the environmental aspect would escalate, as more and more rules and regulations are set on polluting indusio, the EU’s aviation market would cripple and thus also decrease the GDP of the EU. Generally speaking.

late quickly. The EU is constantly trying to address the problems and there are multiple possibilities to solve them.

22