CALL FOR DELEGATES
Umeå 2014 - EYP Sweden’s 1st Youth Forum
Hello there! So congratulations, you found your way to Umeå 2014 - EYP Sweden’s 1st Youth Forum’s Facebook page, and further into this information booklet. Welcome! Who are we, and what is Umeå 2014 all about? Let us tell you a bit more about Umeå 2014, and about the European Youth Parliament (EYP). To make sense of what we are arranging in Umeå in June, let us start off by introducing you to the non governmental organisation that is EYP. The Swedish Europeiska ungdomsparlamentet Sverige is a branch of the international organisation EYP that was initiated in France in 1987, the Swedish branch was officially formed in 1995, and is made up by five regional committees (EUP Nord, Syd, Öst, Väst and Uppsala). EYP is an organisation without any political or religious affiliations, with a vision to engage European youth in cross-cultural dialogue, encourage political interest and add an European dimension to their schooling. Why do we do this? EUP Sverige is here to inspire youth to actively reflect upon and engage in the European Community, no matter religious or political backgrounds. Now, how do we do this? Across Europe, it is possible to take part in EYP events on a weekly basis, ranging from debate days, in school sessions, regional or national selection conferences, trainings or social activities. Every year four regional sessions are organised across Sweden, leading up to a national selection conference where the best delegates across Sweden meet to discuss current European affairs. The delegates at these sessions have been selected to represent their schools, and many of them go on to activities, sessions and forums abroad. However, one of the major goals with Umeå 2014 is to give youth that have yet to try this concept a chance to experience the brilliance of an EYP session. There is a lot of talk about “sessions”, what is that? In short, a way to explain EYP’s activities, or our sessions or forums (session=competition, forum=not a competition) is that it is a type of EU-role play. The delegates are divided into committees based on those that exist within the European Commission, and they debate questions that either are on the agenda for the committees, or topics that have been before. Both forums and sessions are made up of three different ‘blocks’; first off there is team building. During team building, the members of the committees gather together and perform various exercises under the chairperson’s guidance. Why? Team building exists to establish a comfortable and friendly group dynamic, assuring that the best of all committee members are put to use. The second block is committee work, this is the section that produces the resolution that will be debated during the General Assembly on the last day. During committee work, the chairperson moderates the discussion centered around the committee topic. The debate within the committee covers at length the various aspects of the issue at hand, the key actors, and conflicts, causes of the problem, stakeholders and measures already in place. All this to make sure that the committee members understand the varying aspects of the issue, and are able into thinking of feasible solutions. In Umeå, we will take this one step further. Rather than asking the delegates, you, to think of measures the European Commission and/or other bodies should implement, you will be asked to discuss measures you yourself can implement to better the problem.
The General Assembly (aka GA), is the time when things get a bit more serious. GA is when you dress up, assemble your notes and get down to business. However, there is no need to worry! This is when you have the chance to step up in from of the assembly and hold an attack speech, a defense speech or generally make points in favour or against the resolutions; in other words, this is the time for you to air your opinions and discuss them just as they do in the European Parliament. Why do people do this? Apart from the obvious advantage of meeting people and making friends from all over Europe, there are a plethora of ways in which EYP offers its members and participants opportunities to personal development. Participating in a session or forum as a delegate not only challenges your English skills, but it also betters your communication, cooperation and debate skills. It challenges you to think in new, creative ways and to put yourself into the mindset of people with different backgrounds and opinions than your own. It encourages youth to cross-cultural dialogue and to question the opinions and policies of decision makers all across Europe. Why Umeå? The primary goal for Umeå 2014 - EYP Sweden’s 1st Youth Forum, is to open up the world of EYP for more Swedish youth. We realised that there are many youngsters out there, that have attended schools that unfortunately are yet to join the EYP train, and thus have not yet had the chance to participate in en EYP event. We believe, we know, that there are youth around Sweden that would thrive, grow personally but also contribute to the organisation that EYP is, and are thus determined to invite people without previous EYP experience. We want to invite individuals that are keen to try this, people that perhaps have heard about EYP from their friends, youth that only just found out about this through the billboard at their school or people that stumbled across our Facebook page and felt a spark of interest ignite. And, if this was not enough to convince you, have a look at the unique forum elements that are being arranged for all participants, new for UYF! With this, we would want to ask you to allow us to invite you to apply to UYF, Umeå Youth Forum, EYP Sweden’s First Youth Forum, organised in Umeå to be held the 12th to the 16th of June 2014.
Practical Information Delegates are expected to arrive in Umeå no later than 12 (noon) the 12th of June, and depart no earlier than 19 in the afternoon June 16th. The call for delegates will be open for 3 weeks; by the end of this period the organising team will invite 50 individuals, 18-25 y/o to come join us in Umeå. There will be a participation fee of 300 SEK, but no further costs will be charged once you arrive in Umeå; accommodation, food and all other activities are provided for by the Forum. Submitting this form puts you on the short-list to join us in Umeå in June, the application deadline is 30th of March, and during the following week you will be notified about the selection and asked to confirm your spot through paying a small registration fee*. The registration fee will cover all the costs while at the forum in Umeå, this means that no extra costs will be charged for breakfasts, lunches, dinners or snacks. Accommodation costs are also covered during the duration of the Forum; however should you want to stay extra nights in Umeå, that is at your own expense. Trainings and night activities organised by the forum are also included in the participation fee, and will not charge you any extra.
Session elements The city hosting EYP Sweden’s 1st Youth Forum is Umeå, a city in the rural north of Sweden, as it will be one of the Culture Capitals of Europe in 2014. The culture capital year has inspired the cultural focus of this forum, and is the base upon which the forum concept has been built; creating the slogan ”Growth through Culture”.
The epic Brännboll tournament Keeping in line with traditional Swedish summer games and activities, a high prestige tournament of Brännboll is being planned. It will take place on the first night to finish off an intense day of teambuilding. We might even stretch as far as introducing buckets of water, advancing from the traditional Brännboll to Vattenbrännboll, should the weather allow it. Brännboll is a game played much similar to softball, or baseball. It includes four bases which are to be passed and rounded, and offers the contestants a range of rackets that are to be used to hit a tennis ball as far away as possible. The contestants are divided into two separate teams, the “inner team” (the ones running around the bases), and the “outer team” that are supposed to catch the tennis ball and “burn”/”bränna” the members of the “inner team”.
Night of culture Among the highlights of the event, a Night of Culture is planned, a night where all of Umeå is invited to join us in celebrating through dance, song, rap, beatbox or whichever artistic expression one preferences. This event is to be co-organised with one of Umeå’s most prominent Culture Organisations for Youth: Hamnmagasinet. Keeping in line with the overall spirit of “learning by doing”, the Night of Culture will not only offer its participants an opportunity to enjoy some live music, and mingling with fellow delegates. It will also offer trainings including improvised theatre, drama-workshops, and theatre games.
Globovillage The various culinary traditions of the globe will be explored during GloboVillage - spending dinner learning about the culinary customs of the cultures of the world, through walking from table to table talking to and tasting the food the delegates representing different cultures have brought with them. During this element, the committees will be tasked with representing an allocated country through embodying its culture by playing music, wearing traditional clothes and of course treating the participants to food from said region. The way this usually is done, is that the committee members get in touch prior to the event and plan out who brings what, and how to best do this. By the end of this event, a winner will be announced. Eternal glory, being the prize!
Culture workshops An entire afternoon will be devoted to Culture Workshops, during which the delegates will have the opportunity to express themselves creatively; the results of this afternoon will be put on display in the Municipal Library after the session, but also available for guests to admire during the GA the last day. Furthermore, together with Lund Debating Society (LDS), a debating workshop is being planned. LDS hosted a much appreciated workshop during EYP Sweden’s 10th National Selection Conference at the beginning of February 2014, and it is on this format we base the one that will take place in Umeå. Workshops and seminars of various nature will be hosted throughout the duration of this event, more details about the exact themes and content of these will be announced in due course.
Delegates We are looking for 50 youths who are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Keen on exploring EYP Enthusiastic about the Forum Concepts Have an interest in international issues Enjoy debating Want to explore other cultures and meet with people from all over Europe Comfortable using English
Apply To apply to the session, please fill in the application form and submit it by Sunday the 30th of Mars at 23:59 CET. The selection panel will consist of the Head organisers (Astrid VikstrĂśm and Josefine WallenĂĽ) as well as a representative of the national board of EYP Sweden. A set of follow up questions may be asked for the panel to better get to know and understand the applicant. The final team will present a balance in gender, nationality and experience.
Why?
Who?
- Because you want to develop your social and intercultural skills - Because you want to explore EYP - Because international issues interest you and you want to meet equal minded people to discuss your views with - Because you want to practice your cooperation, research and debating skills
- You! (+18y/o) - No need of prior EYP experience
Where?
When? - 12th to 16th of June
- In Ume책 City, have a look through this booklet to explore the venues we have booked for you!
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
About Umeå Umeå is roughly 600 km north of Stockholm and sits on an inlet of the Gulf of Bothnia that separates Sweden and Finland. Travelling this far north in the summer months you are likely to see the midnight sun and Sweden’s north is bathed in almost constant daylight at this time of year. As well as being the European Capital of Culture in 2014, Umeå can also claim to be the northernmost capital of culture, located as it is in northern Sweden, a place of extreme natural beauty and rugged wilderness (and culture, of course).
Growth through culture? Umeå Youth Forum will be revolving around the concept of culture as a driving force in development. Culture spans over everything from scenery and cuisine to art and democracy, promotes entrepreneurship, employment and competitiveness. The topics proposed to participants thus aim to explore the wide ranging aspects of culture. ” Big enough to be taken seriously, small enough to make it happen!” Striving for progress, citizens need to become active participants in initiating changes and improvements, rather than being passive bystanders. In the mindset of educating youth to take initiative, delegates in Umeå will be discussing current European affairs to propose actions they themselves can take. Resolutions will thus call for ideas and actions from young people, rather than merely encourage them to conceptualize solutions and then await for governments or EU institutions to take action.
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Session venues Scandic Hotel Ume책 Syd
Dragonskolan
Hotel venue
Committee work venue
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1000+ members 5 regional committees 4+ annual trainings 1 National Session 4 Regional Sessions 20 + regional events
Q&A Q: When is the deadline to apply?
Q: How do I reach Ume책?
A: Submit your application by 23:59 CET on the 30th of Mars.
A: One suggestion is to fly via Stockholm, either Bromma or Arlanda Airport. For more suggestions, feel free to contact the organisers.
Q: How much will it cost me? A: There is a small participation fee, but it will not be charged until you confirm your spot. Once in Ume책, all meals, accommodation and evening activities will be covered by the forum.
Q: What can I apply as? A: You can apply to join Ume책 Youth Forum as a delegate
Q: Should I apply? A: Yes.
Q: Who do I contact if I have further questions? A: Send an email to umea2014yf@eup.se if your question is concerning the session. Email astrid.vikstrom@eup.se for any questions about the selection of delegates.
IN COOPERATION WITH:
www.eup.se
www.facebook.com/umea2014YF