Resolution Booklet | 38th National Selection Conference of EYP Greece by National Selection Conference Thessaloniki

Resolution Booklet Thessaloniki â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;18 | 38th National Selection Conference of EYP Greece

Schedule of the General Assembly

9:00-9:45 Committee on Foreign Affairs I (AFET I) 9:45-10:30 Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) 10:30-11:00 Coffee break 11:00-11:45 Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) 11:45-12:30 Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety II (ENVI II) 12:30-13:15 Committee on Foreign Affairs II (AFET II) 13:15-14:15 Lunch Break 14:15-15:00 Committee on Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) 15:00-15:45 Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) 15:45-16:30 Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) 16:30-17:00 Coffee break 17:00-17:45 Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) 17:45-18:30 Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety I (ENVI I) 18:30-19:00 Coffee break 19:00-20:30 Closing Ceremony

Procedure of the General Assembly – 38th NSC of EYP Greece General rules • • •

A respectful and proper tone of debate is expected, both in terms of language and dress. The wish to speak is indicated by raising the Committee Placard. Only once recognized is the delegate allowed to address the Assembly. The authority of the board is absolute.

Procedure and time settings 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Reading of the motion for the resolution by the Board 3 minutes to defend the motion for the resolution from the podium 2 x 2 minutes to deliver a position speech from the podium 90 seconds to respond to the position speeches from the floor 3 or 4 rounds of open debate from the floor 2 minutes to summate the debate from the podium Voting procedure Announcing the votes

Placards

Committee placard When a committee member wishes to address the Assembly, they should raise their Committee Placard to indicate their desire to make a point and keep it raised until recognized.

Point of Personal Privilege Request for a delegate to repeat a point that was inaudible.

Point of Order A delegate feels that the board has not properly followed parliamentary procedure. The placard is used only by the chairperson after a request from a delegate.

Direct Response Once per debate, each committee may use the Direct Response placard. Should a committee member raise the Committee Placard and the Direct Response placard, the board recognizes them immediately. The Direct Response placard is used to contribute to the point made directly beforehand.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS I

Befriending the Eastern dragon: With â&#x201A;Ź1,5 billion traded in goods between China and the EU every single day, how can the EU foster deeper economic cooperation with China while upholding its high standards of human rights and rule of law?

Submitted by:

Thisvi Argyriou (GR), Maria-Sofia Diseri (GR), Anastasia Karatza (GR), Nikos Labadarios (GR), Eleni Louka (GR), Maria-Elena Natsiou (GR), Panagiota Papakonstantinou (GR), Antonios Proikakis (GR), Ioulia-Zafeirenia Stogianni (GR), Traiani Tosiou (GR), Andriana Vadevouli (GR), Konstantinos Xristoudis (GR), Mariliana Papanikolaou (Chairperson, GR), JoĂŁo Silva (Chairperson, PT)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Gravely concerned that workplace conditions in China are of very low standards, with:

over 11 million child workers between the ages of 10 and 14, in contravention of Article 32 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, i)

600 thousand deaths occurring every year due to overworking, with some workers being required to work as much as 12 hours a day, ii)

B. Noting with deep regret the deterioration of human rights conditions since the beginning of the

Xi Jinping administration, with China: remaining the leading capital punishment applicant in the world, counting thousands of executions per year, namely for non-violent or economic offenses, i)

escalating the oppression of ethnic and religious unrest in the Xinjiang region, including the mass incarceration and surveillance of Uyghur Muslims, and the long-running political dispute regarding the status of Tibet, ii)

iii) causing a sustained upsurge in the jailing of dissenters, human rights lawyers and

democracy activists, commencing in 2014, C. Firmly convinced that China is a regular user of discriminatory trade practices, by means of:

maintenance of poor copyright laws that fail to protect the intellectual property of foreign companies, i)

ii)

using subsidies to support state-owned enterprises, resulting in dumping tactics,

D. Noting that China and the EU have vastly different regulatory environments, with concrete and

significant differences in health and work safety standards, copyright protection and many other legal aspects, thus enhancing the possibility of abuses, disarrayed bureaucratic processes and general onerousness in investment, Keeping in mind that turbulent trading relationships are currently occurring between the US and China, stemming from the Trump administration's imposition of several rounds of tariffs, each of which was followed by retaliatory measures from the Chinese government, E.

Conscious that the aforementioned situation has led to a decrease of economic engagement between the two countries, exemplified by a 92% drop in Foreign Direct Investment by China in the United States of America, in the first half of 2018, F.

G. Pointing out that the actions of the US administration have been met with a disapproving stance

by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the EU and several members of the G20. H. Further noting that the EU has competences on the diplomatic level, making cooperation on a

European scale regarding trade disputes and other international developments a necessity.

Human Rights: 1. Suggests organisations like Child Workers in Asia (CWA) and UNICEF East Asia to raise awareness of Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s child labour issue by creating innovative media materials, namely through artistic or marketing campaigns; 2. Asks the WTO to cooperate with intergovernmental organisations such as UNESCO, and NGOs such as Save the Children, to readily provide data on child labour and working conditions in China; 3. Calls upon the European Commission, along with the Member-States, to initiate negotiations with China for the creation of a comprehensive human rights agreement based on shared concepts, objectives and measures to advance human rights in the involved parties; Trade and Economics: 4. Calls upon the WTO to function as a channel of communication between European private enterprises and China, by addressing miscommunications and transmitting feedback regarding regulatory differences between the two with a specific focus on intellectual property issues;

Foreign Affairs 5. Urges the European External Action Service to keep a neutral stance in the current trade disputes between China and the US; 6. Further requests the European Commission to pursue a united diplomatic front, hence avoiding the adoption of individual stances by Member States; 7. Requests Member States to respect the different government systems and political culture values when dealing with heterogeneous diplomatic relationships and positions; Congratulates the European Commission on its consistency in pursuing the rounds of EU-China Human Rights Dialogue. 8.

MOTION FOR RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY RESEARCH ENERGY With nuclear power contributing little to no emissions into the atmosphere, how should the EU regulate nuclear energy production whilst ensuring the minimisation of the safety risks it poses?

Submitted by:

Marios Agapidis, Amalia Chavari, Vasiliki Damali, Eleni Delopoulou, Marianna Garitsi, Pelagia Karamani, Alexandros Karatsin, Anna-Sara Kofina, Olga-Iliana Nikolaou, Dimitris Tersis, George Pardalis (Chairperson, GR), George Spanias (Chairperson, GR)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Emphasising the fact that nuclear energy production contributes little to no emissions, B. Deeply concerned by the possession of nuclear weapons by certain Member States such as the UK and France, C. Taking into account the possibility of both human error and natural disasters resulting in accidents with short and long-term effects which consist of i) soil and air contamination, ii) teratogenesis, D. Alarmed by the existence of the nuclear waste problem1 which is primarily reflected in its i) long-term management, ii) excessively high storage costs, E. Aware of the possibility that nuclear power plants can be targeted by terrorist organisations and that such attacks can pose a dramatic risk to the European community as a whole, F. Bearing in mind the significant decline of nuclear usage rate due to the negative public opinion which stems from the lack of sufficient education over the concept of ionising radiation2, G. Conscious of the fact that building a nuclear power plant requires a high financial investment and takes a long time;

The Nuclear waste problem describes the challenge of making nuclear power safer and how it doesn't end after the power has been generated. Nuclear fuel remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years after it is no longer useful in a commercial reactor. 2 Ionising radiation is the type of radiation which has a bigger amount of energy compared to non-ionising radiation, hence can cause chemical changes by breaking chemical bonds. As a consequence this could cause damage living tissue. 1

Research & Development: 1. Calls upon the European Commission to support the funding of an increased number of stress tests3 as well as immediate renovations of nuclear power plants where the safety standards are not fulfilled; 2. Recommends that Member States conduct further research on geological disposal4 which has proven to be the best option to deal with nuclear waste; 3. Takes note that the cost per unit of nuclear energy is in comparison significantly lower, and therefore, new nuclear power plants could be constructed in accordance to safety regulation. Control & Security: 4. Suggests the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation to enhance controls on security regarding who enters and exits nuclear power plants; 5. Encourages the Member States to avoid the use of nuclear power for the creation of nuclear weapons and the arming of the already existing ones, through the imposition of protective measures which allow the EU to be fully informed on their current status; Education: 6. Invites Member States to introduce a syllabus aimed at raising awareness on nuclear energy topics which shall consist of: a) expert talks organised at universities and schools, b) teachersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; advanced trainings on both advantages and disadvantages of the use of nuclear power.

Stress tests are used to gauge how certain factors will affect a nuclear power plant. Geological disposal: due to the long timescales over which some waste remains radioactive, experts have developed the idea of deep disposal in underground repositories in stable geological formations. Isolation is provided by a combination of engineered and natural barriers and no obligation to actively maintain the facility is passed on to future generations. 3 4

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS

With e-commerce in the EU growing around 12 percent each year, but only 20 percent of EU retailers selling online, how can retail companies be supported to improve their online appearance, keeping the EU’s commitment to the DSM in mind?

Submitted by:

Fotis Athanatos (GR), Anastasia Chatzilefteri Michala (GR), Ioakeim Chinisoglou (GR), Pantelis Karasakalidis (GR), Athina Lentza (GR), Evaggelia Mamaliogka (GR), Giorgos Michail (GR), Konstantina Roufou (GR), Filippos-Stavros Sarafianos (GR), Katerina Sfiriiala (GR), Ioanna Strakou (GR), Katerina Voutsa (GR), Theodoulos Hadjimatheou (Chairperson, CY), Jonas Weider (Chairperson, DE)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Anxious about the EU-wide value-added tax (VAT)-Gap estimated to have cost the EU

€147.1billion in 2016, B. Taking into consideration the variations between VAT rates in the EU, ranging from 13% to 27%,

affecting product prices, thus decreasing their competitiveness, C. Concerned by a lack of cooperation between Member States, in regards to harmonising

regulation concerning VAT, D. Keeping in mind that 62% of companies wish to sell online but choose not to for reasons such as

but not limited to varied taxation, logistic challenges and alike, Noting that only 16% of European SMEs engage in transactions online, limiting consumer options, resulting in loss of clientele, E.

Further noting that only 7.5% of SMEs deal with cross-border online selling as reported by eComerce Europe, F.

G. Aware of the SME’s inability to maintain an adequate online presence due to a lack of resources

such as time, money, and technical knowledge,

H. Recognising customers’ concerns about returns and replacements of online orders,

Deeply concerned about the high pricing of parcel delivery due to a lack of transparency caused by varying cost structures of delivery companies, I.

Observing an all-time low of consumer trust, affecting e-commerce,

K. Alarmed by the fact that geo-blocking1 is still present in the European Customs Union causing

discrimination against customers, mostly through delivery costs and language disparities, L.

Congratulating the approval of Regulation 2018/3022 on geo-blocking;

Taxation: 1. Calls upon the European Commission to increase funding for EUROFISC3 enabling more detailed

documentation to ensure adequate controls of transactions; 2. Urges Member States to cooperate and close the gap between their respective VAT rates on

online transactions from 13%-27% to 15%-20%; 3. Instructs the Member States to simplify the procedures companies have to follow when dealing

with cross-border online selling, by means of the Mini One-Stop-Shop (MOSS) scheme4;

SMEs: 4. Further calls upon the European Commission to support the efforts of SMEs in improving their

online appearances by: a) supporting companies in their attempts to provide multiple language options on their websites, b) conducting research and development on new technologies, such as Augmented Reality5; 5. Invites the European Commission to further support SMEs in entering the digital single market

by: a) sharing best practices,

Geo-blocking is the practice of denying consumers the access to goods or services based on their geographic location, thus limiting their opportunities and choice. 2 Regulation 2018/302 was approved in February 2018 and introduced the concept of “unreasonable geoblocking” to outlaw a majority of geo-blocking practices and is in effect since December 3rd, 2018. 3 EUROFISC is a network trying to eliminate VAT fraud. 4 The MOSS scheme suggests that each cach company, has to register in only one EU state in order to be able to sell its products or services to European citizens, and the VAT remittances are collected by the suppliers’ state and then distributed to the rest of the Union’s countries. 5 Augmented Reality enables users to overlay animated objects on top of their real world environment (e.g. Pokémon Go). 1

b) offering financial subsidies,

Delivery and Consumer Trust: 6. Recommends online retailers to offer free return policies; 7. Further urges national legislators to increase their monitoring of delivery companies by

requesting more elaborate documentation pertaining to their cost structures and price setting strategies; 8. Encourages the EMOTA Trustmark Committee6 to carry out media campaigns to spread

awareness of the European Trustmark7; 9. Requests companies to delete customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal information from their databases once

transactions have been completed.

The EMOTA Trustmark Committee works with participants of the European Trustmark scheme regarding its accreditation criteria. 7 The EU Trustmark is a label which tells users that they can trust a certain service online to carry out their online transactions in a safe, convenient and secure way. 6

Factsheet VAT Gap is the difference between the collected and expected amount of VAT. Value-added tax (VAT) is an indirect tax imposed on goods and services at each stage of production. eComerce Europe represents more than 75,000 companies selling goods and services online to consumers in Europe. Parcel delivery is the shipping of a product through a postal service or private courier. Geo-blocking is the practice of denying consumers the access to goods or services based on their geographic location, thus limiting their opportunities and choice. Regulation 2018/302 was approved in February 2018 and introduced the concept of “unreasonable geoblocking” to outlaw a majority of geo-blocking practices and is in effect since December 3rd, 2018. EUROFISC is a network trying to eliminate VAT fraud. The MOSS scheme suggests that each cach company, has to register in only one EU state in order to be able to sell its products or services to European citizens, and the VAT remittances are collected by the suppliers’ state and then distributed to the rest of the Union’s countries. Augmented Reality enables users to overlay animated objects on top of their real world environment (e.g. Pokemon Go). The EMOTA Trustmark Committee works with participants of the European Trustmark scheme regarding its accreditation criteria. The EU Trustmark is a label which tells users that they can trust a certain service online to carry out their online transactions in a safe, convenient and secure way.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY II

With the Mediterranean sea plagued by environmental threats like pollution and overfishing, how can the EU best cooperate with its Mediterranean neighbours in preserving the ecosystem?

Submitted by:

Efstratia Chaideftou, Dimitra Dimitrakopoulou, Despina Dospra, Efrosini Gkasnaki, Zacharias Margaritidis, Elpiniki Moianou, Vasiliki Papakonstantinou, Andromachi Sakareli, Evaggelia Skoulidi, Theodora Tamvaki, Elisavet Zachou, Robin Hietz (Chairperson, AT)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Deeply alarmed by the fact that the ecosystem of the Mediterranean Sea is threatened by

pollution such as i)

marine litter,

ii)

oil spills,

iii) excess nutrients, iv) noise pollution, B. Noting with grave concern that the Mediterranean Sea is now the most overfished in the world,

with 62% of its fish stocks overfished and at serious risk of depletion, C. Concerned by the appearance of invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea, threatening marine

biodiversity and human health, D. Bearing in mind that the rapid development of tourism as well as population growth results in

the rapid increase of economic activities in especially coastal areas that play a major role in the worsening of most pollution issues as well as the status of fish stocks, Convinced that environmental degradation such as overfishing, soil degradation around the sea, unsustainable waste water management and pollution, has a net negative impact on the economy and employment rates since E.

the affected regions become less attractive for tourists, especially concerning agrotourism1 and ecotourism2, i)

natural resources are exploited to a point of depletion, thus reducing the overall economic value to be gained from their exploitation, ii)

Taking into account that not all Mediterranean countries can sufficiently prioritise the environmental sector due to security and stability issues and weak economies, F.

G. Further taking into account that not all efforts for protection of the environment can be properly

implemented and enforced in particular geographical areas because of limited financial resources, lack of technical support and low priority given to adopting eco-friendly approaches by governments as well as multinational companies, H. Noting with regret that due to inadequate waste and recycling policies, as well as 30% of plastic

packaging currently used being unrecyclable, plastic and hazardous wastes and nutrients end up in the sea, I.

Noting with concern that fishing regulations are not sufficiently enforced due to i)

inspections in the fishing markets being rare and inadequate,

legal procedures regarding violations of fishing regulations favouring the politically and financially strong, ii)

Aware of the difficulty the differences in political systems pose to successful cooperation between Mediterranean countries, J.

K. Stressing that oil and gas drilling activities, while a significant factor of economic growth, i)

produce excessive noise,

ii)

cause harmful chemical substances to be released into the sea,

iii) damage the seabed, iv) disrupt animal migration, v)

increase fish mortality and reduce fish stocks,

Pointing out that citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; insufficient knowledge about the legal framework and policies of each country concerning environmental protection leads to a passive acceptance of the situation or even deterioration of the problem, L.

M. Taking into account that citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ignorance about the grave state of the environment is

reinforced by the manipulation of social media mechanisms for political and economic purposes;

Agrotourism is a form of tourism bringing visitors to farms or ranches. Ecotourism describes responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the wellbeing of local people. 2

International Cooperation and Coordination 1. Reaffirms the importance of the Member Statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; contribution in monitoring invasive alien species

in the Mediterranean Sea to prevent any further spreading, especially in the establishment of a warning system to quickly communicate the sighting of newly arrived species; 2. Reminds all signatory states of the Barcelona Convention to ratify every one of its protocols and

sufficiently enforce their implementation in order to guarantee the legal framework concerning environmental protection to be consistent in all Mediterranean countries; 3. Proposes the conclusion of environmental framework contracts between the developed and

developing countries, entailing the provision of necessary technical equipment and supervision of management procedures in order to enable developing countries to comply with and develop environmental policies; 4. Invites representatives of EU agencies such as the EEA, as well as of the UfM, to organise

educational programmes, seminars and campaigns in schools and social centres aimed at informing about the environmental situation of the Mediterranean and the initiatives implemented there;

Regulation 5. Supports the European Parliamentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent vote in favour of banning the use of single-use

plastics by 2021; 6. Suggests the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean3 to more decisively tackle

overfishing in the Mediterranean Sea by setting stricter measures through: a) establishing fishing seasons, b) sanctioning violators with fines; 7. Appeals to the UfM to create more marine sanctuaries, especially to safeguard the few remaining

quiet areas, to protect marine species which are threatened by excessive noise and chemical substances caused by oil and gas drilling; 8. Hopes for all Mediterranean countries to set up a programme in order to limit the use of

agricultural pesticides ending up in water bodies;

The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a commission in the framework of the UNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Its main aim is to ensure the conservation and the sustainable use of marine life well as the sustainable development of aquaculture. The Commission can adopt binding recommendations concerning, for example, the regulation of fishing methods and the establishment fishing seasons. All Mediterranean states are subject to the GFCM.

9. Further recommends Mediterranean countries to implement policies supporting their industries

in implementing proper waste management and reducing their use of plastic materials by: a) promoting the use of renewable and biodegradable materials, b) investing in innovation for recyclable or sustainable alternatives; 10. Strongly recommends the Mediterranean countries to facilitate the operation of eco-friendly

enterprises, such as factories that have submitted anti-pollution policies, by offering financial incentives such as low taxes and tariffs;

Financial support and Innovation 11. Expresses its hope for the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)4 and the Global Environmental

Facility (GEF)5 to assist in funding the construction of desalination and reclamation programmes aiming at the reuse of wastewater in agriculture, especially in countries that experience water shortage; 12. Suggests the provision of funds through the Horizon 2020 Initiative6 as well as the GEF, as well as

the implementation of tax reliefs to ports where facilities are in adverse conditions so they can: a) install reception facilities for disposing of fishing gear affordable for small-scale fisheries, b) afford satellite buoys to detect lost fishing gear and abandoned fishing nets; 13. Endorses a successor to the Horizon 2020 initiative for depolluting the Mediterranean, this time

extending the funding to noise pollution measures; 14. Urges Member States as well as their Mediterranean neighbours to continue innovating in the

field of oil spill management, following up on successful projects like EU-MOP7;

The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) is the intergovernmental organisation serving as a forum for dialogue for almost all Mediterranean countries. Its aims at enhancing regional cooperation and implementing projects with tangible positive impact on the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s citizens. 5 The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is an independently operating financial organization providing grants for environmental projects. 6 The Horizon 2020 Initiative for a cleaner Mediterranean is a funding and coordination framework managed through the UfM which aims at supporting efforts to depollute the Mediterranean. 7 The Elimination Units for Marine Oil Pollution (EUMOPs) Project was a project innovating in the EUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response to oil spills by developing autonomous unmanned robot vessels that operate as a swarm in order to efficiently collect the spilled oil.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS II Priority shifts: in light of the US recently withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation, how can the EU contribute to shaping the global setting regarding to the future of energy and the preservation of the environment?

Submitted by:

Maria Garou, Panagiota Giouvanaki, Sokratis Kolozof, Argyrios Manes Giannisis, Sofia Meletiadou, Nafsika-Maria Papatheodorou, Evangelos Stylianidis, Vaggelis Tolios, Georgia Tsoutsoumanou, Ruzanna Safaryan (Chairperson, AM)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Acknowledging the need for further extensive cooperation between the Paris Agreement Parties

(hereinafter Parties), B. Alarmed by the fact that the voluntary nature of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

leads to a lower level of involvement by the Parties, C. Observing the lack of efficient measures aiming at reaching Paris Agreement goals, at a national

level both in developed and developing countries, D. Deeply concerned about the potential increase of climate migration due to climate change in

certain areas of the world, E.

Realising that the rapid growth of world population will intensify energy management issues,

Fully aware of the conflicting interest of traditional and renewable energy industries,

G. Taking into consideration that 75% of heating and cooling energy relies on fossil fuel, H. Alarmed by the low level of awareness on climate change and its consequences among the

population;

Improvement of the Existing Measures 1. Invites Parties to establish active cooperation with the US Climate Alliance1; 2. Recommends the Technology Executive Committee2 to encourage research institutes in

promoting scientific cooperation among the Parties; 3. Supports the recent reforms on the Emissions Trading System3 applied by the European Union4; 4. Urges the NDC Partnership to introduce a mechanism aimed at the supervision of the progress of

countries in fulfilling their NDCs; 5. Calls upon the Green Climate fund5 to undertake measures targeted at

a) analysing the efficiency of the use of currently allocated financial resources, b) redistributing the financial resources among the countries if necessary, c) enhancing the supervision of the use of allocated financial resources in the beneficiary countries; 6. Emphasises the necessity of further extensive space exploration to further analyze the evolution

of climate change and develop alternative solutions for the mitigation of climate migration; Traditional vs. Renewable Energy 7. Suggests Member States to ensure widespread promotion of products manufactured with the

use of renewable energy, through advertising and social media campaigns on a national level; 8. Designates the Action for Climate Empowerment6 to conduct trainings for scientific and technical

personnel, employed in the traditional energy industry, to support their transition to the renewable energy sector;

The US Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of states and unincorporated self-governing territories in the US, formed after the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s withdrawal from Paris Agreement. It is committed to upholding the objectives of the Agreement within its borders. 2 Technology Executive Committee (TEC) is the policy arm of the Technology Mechanism within the scope of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It focuses on identifying policies that can accelerate the development and transfer of low-emission and climate resilient technologies. 3 The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), also known as the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme, was the first large greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme in the world, and remains the biggest. 4 The main reforms are the following: reducing the cap on the total volume of emissions by 2.2 % annually, double the number of allowances to be placed in the market stability until the end of 2023 and introducing new mechanism to limit the validity of allowances above a certain level starting from 2023. 5 The Green Climate Fund is the only stand-alone multilateral financing entity whose sole mandate is to serve the UNFCCC and aims to deliver equal amounts of funding to mitigation and adaptation. 6 Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) is a term adopted by the UNFCCC. It focuses on six priority areas: education, training, public awareness, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation on these issues.

Education and Public Awareness 9. Endorses the further integration of climate related topics in the educational activities of

European universities, with the support of the Erasmus+ programme; 10. Encourages Member States to incorporate education on climate change and renewable energy in

their school curricula; 11. Supports the measures aimed at raising awareness on climate change and renewable energy

through a) social media and advertising campaigns, b) speeches and public lectures by field specialists at educational institutions.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY

Currently, around 70% of sex workers in Europe are female. Keeping in mind the criminality and the human and sexual exploitation involved with prostitution, which measures should the EU take in order to achieve a common guideline within the Member States?

Submitted by:

Aggeliki Karfaki (GR), Berin Bozo (GR), Christina Liamou (GR), Chrysanthos Mpouroutzoglou (GR), Eirinaios Papaevaggelou (GR), Eleni Chrysafi (GR), Evaggelos Billas (GR), Katerina Tsaklidou (GR), Nikolaos Karavelidis (GR), OlgaSofia Kambani (GR), Theocharis Peidis (GR), Sakar Adb Alrahman (GR), Andrea PĂŠrez Navarro (Chairperson, ES), Konstantinos Koukovinos (Chairperson, GR)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Deeply disturbed by the fact that prostitution entails the infringement of fundamental rights of

sex workers, in the form of objectification and degrading or inhuman treatment, B. Noting with deep concern the persistence of social stigma and stereotypes against prostitutes,

manifesting themselves as: i) mandatory medical tests, ii) permanent registration in police governmental database, iii) suggestions of unfit parenthood in custody cases, C. Fully alarmed by the fact that more than 70% of workers forced into prostitution consist of

victims of human trafficking and other illicit activities such as blackmailing, D. Deeply disturbed by the fact that an alarming number of prostitutes are underaged,

Alarmed that the high simultaneous prevalence of mental health illnesses, such as depression, anxiety disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) result in 64% of sex workers attempting suicide, E.

Noting with deep concern that up to 87% of prostitutes are subjected to physical violence and 59% to sexual abuse in some Member States, F.

G. Recognising that prostitutes are at a higher risk of exposure to sexual transmitted diseases

(STDs), Regretting the lack of a common guideline and discrepant legislation on prostitution throughout Member States, H.

Noting with satisfaction the decreased demand for prostitution as a result of the implementation of the Nordic Model1, I.

Deeply regretting the lack of reliable and homogeneous data regarding the number of prostitutes, the number of their clients and their earnings; J.

Human Rights 1. Encourages Member States to establish exit programs for prostitutes willing to change their profession, in the form of workshops for the acquirement of the necessary qualifications and skills to compete in the job market; 2. Recommends the establishment of a European organisation with the role of safeguarding sexually and physically abused sex workers; 3. Recommends Europol to organise training schemes for police officers regarding the recognition and management of incidents of sexual exploitation, human trafficking and physical abuse; 4. Congratulates NGOs such as the International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe and European Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lobby for their successful efforts to fight the stigmatization of prostitutes and defend their fundamental rights; 5. Encourages both organisational and participatory involvement of sex workers in NGOsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; awareness campaigns regarding the current situation in the sex industry; 6. Encourages the introduction of sexual education courses in school curricula to discourage stereotypes and prejudice against sex; 7. Condemns the misrepresentation of sex workers in the media; 8. Urges the European Commission to establish witness protection programs, encouraging sex workers to denounce cases of trafficking and take legal action against their abusers; 9. Urges Member States to strengthen their efforts to tackle human trafficking by encouraging: a. a closer cooperation with relevant NGOs, b. a closer cooperation with FRONTEX2 for the improvement of border control at the critical points of entry for human traffickers,

The Nordic Model refers to one of the legal approaches to prostitution currently found within EU Member States. It was first introduced in Sweden and it is based on the penalisation of the clients rather than the prostitutes themselves, following the logic that without the demand for sexual services, there would be no prostitution. 2 As of two years ago FRONTEX acts as the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. 1

c. the ratification of the Council of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings3, d. the publication of annual reports containing the relative progress in the matter; 10. Encourages the European Commission to increase its efforts in tackling child prostitution through: a. an increase of the sex worker age threshold to 21 years old, b. the introduction of a working group focused on the development of new relevant measures; 11. Advises all Member States to discourage the entry of impoverished students into the sex industry by extending the length of minimum stay in mandatory education;

Health 12. Urges Member States to intensify their attempts to protect the physical and mental health of sex workers through the establishment of: a. educational workshops for sex workers on the transmission of STDs and their prevention, b. accessible family planning clinics, c. optional and confidential health checks and psychological counselling services, d. compulsory use of condoms within the sex industry; Legal 13. Calls upon the European Commission to organise inter-state conferences on prostitution, promoting dialogue and knowledge sharing between Member States; 14. Congratulates Sweden, Norway, Iceland, France and Ireland on their successful implementation of the Nordic Model; 15. Suggests the creation of a Eurostat database for the registration of sex workers.

The Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings is an international treaty mainly focused on the protection of victims of trafficking and the safeguard of their rights. It also aims at preventing trafficking as well as prosecuting traffickers.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL MARKET AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

*Closing the loop*: With the European Commission endeavouring to enable a policy framework for transitioning to a model of circular economy in the EU, how can both the EU and its Member States better ensure a transition to industrial sustainability. Submitted by:

Zoi Chatzimoisiadou, Panagiota Fotiadou, Chrysoula-Chrysostomi Kouineli, Fani-Maria Lazogianni, Nikolaos Markakis, Vasiliki Oikonomou, Anastasia Palakidou, Maria Papadopoulou, Sotiris Papantoniou, Stavros Stylianidis, Stefanos Ziampras, Luka Đorđević (Chairperson, RS), Rita Portugal (Chairperson, PT)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Aware of the current linear business infrastructure financially hindering enterprises from

investing in the transition to a circular economy, B. Considering that both private and public actors might not view environmental issues as a viable

priority for their short-term budgets, C. Appreciating the existing funding on start-up companies with a circular economy model, such as

the Circular Economy Investment Fund1 by the European Commission, D. Taking into account the lack of awareness from both investors and companies regarding the

long-term financial benefits of transitioning to a circular economy model, Emphasising consumers’ insufficient information on their possible role as citizens in the circular economy model, E.

Deeply concerned with the way that traditional and social media encourage perpetual overconsumption through targeted advertising2, F.

The Circular Economy Investment Fund is a funding opportunity administered by Zero Waste Scotland and supported by the European Commission, aimed at Scottish small and medium enterprises transitioning to a circular economy model 2 Targeted advertising refers to ads that are placed based on demographics, on previous purchases made by the customers or on their behaviour. 1

G. Noting that the lack of repurpose training3 prohibits employees from obtaining the necessary

skill set required to function under the circular economy model, H. Expressing its concern with the short lifespan of technological and mechanical goods caused by i)

built-in obsolescence4,

rapid technological development that often does not allow for backwards or inter device compatibility5; ii)

Economical Encourages companies to conduct case studies in order to assess the potential financial benefits contingent on the circular economy structure; 2. Solemnly affirms the European Commission’s existing funding tools for startups6 adhering to a circular economy model and further suggest its promotional and budgetary increase; 3. Recommends Member States to introduce a decrease in taxation for companies following the circular economy model; 1.

Social Invites Member States’ governments to introduce a form of formal recognition such as certificates, congratulating their successful transition; 5. Supports the work of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation7 and the European Environmental Bureau8 and suggests additional publicity through global media campaigns; 6. Proposes that Member States install financial incentives to television channels which minimise the amount of targeted advertising that is broadcasted; 4.

Technological 7.

Welcomes the aforementioned NGOs to further organise workshops providing practical knowledge of standardised equipment related to the circular economy model;

Repurposed training allows employees to achieve an easy transition into a different workplace by gaining new skill sets. 4 Built-in obsolescence is a policy of producing or designing a product with an artificially limited usable life. 5 Backwards compatibility refers to a hardware or software system that can successfully use data from previous versions of that same system, while inter device compatibility refers to hardware that can be used in devices produced by different manufacturers. 6 A startup is a newly created business that aims to achieve a repeatable and scalable business model. 7 The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a media centre established in 2010 with an aim to accelerate the transition into the circular economy model through their project-based work. 8 The European Environmental Bureau represents Europe’s largest environmental citizens’ organisations network tackling the biggest environmental problems in the EU through agenda setting, monitoring and advising. 3

Congratulates the European Commission for the efforts made on inter device compatibility, such as the Memorandum of Understanding signed voluntarily by mobile phone producers who agreed to standardise chargers for mobile phones.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION

What measures can the EU take to address the immediate educational needs of refugee and migrant children, whilst fostering long-term social inclusion across Europe?

Submitted by:

Mohamed Abraham, Christina Chounouzidou, Alexandros Fotiadis, Ioannis Kalaitzidis, Nefeli Kasampalidou, Bagher Maghsoudi, Vasiliki Manakou, MariaLemonia Papadopoulou, Zoi Papagianni, Andronikos Tasopoulos Nikiforou, Zoe Theodosiou, Stella Theodossa, Ifigenia Moumtzi (GR, Chairperson)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Bearing in mind that refugees and migrants do not speak the language of the country they seek refuge in, leading to 41% of refugee and migrant children not attending primary and secondary education, B. Taking into consideration migrant and refugee studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; restricted access to EU universities, C. Noting the Council of Europe1â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concern about the exploitation of refugee and migrant children for forced labor, D. Concerned that some Member States have developed anti-immigration stances, E. Aware that refugee and migrant children have limited access to healthcare and housing, F. Expressing its concern that there are some 33.300 unaccompanied children in Italy, Bulgaria and Greece in 2017, G. Pointing out that education and social inclusion of refugee and migrant children is hindered by racist beliefs and manifestations, such as but not limited to: i. the rising success of political parties with an anti-migration policy across the EU, ii. local parents refraining their children from attending schools with migrant and refugee children, iii. police brutality towards refugee and migrant children at borders,

The Council of Europe is a European organisation focussed on safeguarding human rights and the Rule of Law in its 47 member countries. 1

G. Expressing its appreciation to Sweden’s refugee and migrant education and social inclusion policies; Education 1) Proposes the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees2 (UNHCR) to introduce primary and secondary education classes taught by teachers with a refugee status residing at the hot spots; 3) Requests the European Social Policy Network3 (ESPN) to createmore intense and inclusive reception classes for refugees and migrant children in the EU; 4) Encourages the Erasmus+ programme to provide scholarships to refugee and migrant university students based on critical thinking tests and academic background;

Welfare and protection 5) Suggests Member States to provide subsidies to migrant and refugee children in forced and cheap labor; 6) Recommends Member States to include the protection of refugee and migrant rights in the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the next treaty reform; 7) Wishes Member States to ensure their police seizes any violent practices towards migrant and refugee children by providing the required seminars and special training; 8) Further suggests each Member State’s national healthcare system to ensure that: a) information to migrants and refugees regarding accessing healthcare services are provided, b) staff are prepared and informed regarding refugee and migrant children’s needs, c) the help of health organisations is requested if the national health care system is unable to deal with refugee and migrant children’s needs; 9) Further encourages Member States to build and develop facilities and utilize existing public buildings for unaccompanied refugee and migrant children residences;

The United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees is a United Nations Refugee Agency focusing on improving the lives of refugees, forcibly displaced and stateless people. 3 The European Social Policy Network is a European agency providing independent information, advice, analysis and expertise on matters regarding social policy in the European Union. 2

Social adaptability 10) Asks the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency4 (EACEA) to sensitize the EU studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; approach to refugee and migrant children by organising activities in the form of: a) educational and volunteer trips to hot spots, b) simulation and sensitization projects; 11) Further asks local governments to organise introductory sessions, presentations and workshops led by psychologists and teachers between local, refugee and migrant children;

The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency is a European body managing funds related to education, culture, audiovisual, sport, citizenship and volunteering. 4

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

Justifiable discipline or ostentatious intrusion? In January 2016, Poland became the first Member State to be subjected to the Rule of Law Framework due to concerns over its new laws on the Constitutional Tribunal and public media, and with continuing concerns about civil rights in Hungary, should the EU take further action to protect the rule of law, liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Member States?

Submitted by:

Apostolos Vekopoulos (GR), Georgia Mposnea (GR), Aggeliki Sataki (GR), Christina Diolatzi (GR), Eirinaios Xirosavvidis (GR), Sofia-Maria Lialiou (GR), Georgia Trianti (GR), Georgia Zetsidou (GR), Georgios Axarlis (GR), Zoi-Maria Kamopoulou (GR), Mersini Markopoulou (GR), Maria Tanou (Chairperson, CY), Myrto Mylona (Chairperson, GR)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Recognising that the EU can impose financial sanctions in the form of funding cuts to Member

States in response to the triggering of Article 7 TEU1 and thus affecting the internal market of the Union, B. Acknowledging that the suspension of the voting rights of a Member State in the European

Council can lead to the underrepresentation of its financial interests hereinafter potentially marginalizing Member Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s citizens, C. Expressing grave concern regarding the efficiency of the existing protection mechanisms, such as

the Rule of Law Framework and Article 7 TEU, particularly considering: i) the stagnant nature of the procedure, ii) the vague definition of appropriate sanctions and their limitations,

The Treaty of the European Union is a set of international treaties between the European Union (EU) member states which sets out the EU's constitutional basis. 1

iii)the ambiguous criteria for the reinstatement of voting rights of the Member State in the European Council, as stated in the Rule of Law Framework, D. Keeping in mind the fundamental principles of the EU stipulated in Article 2 TEU, and regretting

their subversion due to rule of law infringements, Contemplating the extent to which the EU can interfere with national legal affairs without breaching the sovereignty of the Member State in question, E.

Alarmed by the fact that the violations of the rule of law in Member States such as Poland and Hungary often lead to the breach of human rights, hence pertaining the EU Fundamental Charter of Human Rights, F.

G. Keeping in mind that the aforementioned violations due to a breach of the rule of law can lead to

the removal of influential NGOs from the Member Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grounds, H. Concerned that the restriction of voting rights in the European Council would lead to rising rates

of Euroscepticism amongst the citizens of the Member State considered, Regretting the potential circumvention of the political nature of a Member State that can occur due to: I.

i) the excessive interference on behalf of the EU within domestic affairs, ii) the suspension of voting rights in the European Council after the application of Article 7, iii) the freezing of the funding directed to the Member State in question, iv) the consistent political tension between the Commission, the EU community and the Member State in question,

Economic Urges the European Commission to consider the extent of the limitation of financial instruments offered to a MS based on the following criteria: 1.

a. the financial state of the Member State in question, b. the amount of EU funding it received in perpetuity, c. Member State reaction and response to prior warnings from the EU; 2. Calls for a mutually beneficial yet restrictive financial resolution including: a. the rationalisation of financial limitations in order to maintain the financial viability of the Member Statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; internal market,

b. the enforcement of the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposal for a new mechanism included in the Multiannual Financial Framework 20202 to protect the EU budget from breaches of the rule of law in Member States; Legal Further enforces the constructive application of infringement procedures as stated by Articles 258 and 259 TFEU; 3.

Social Requests that amendments of Article 228 TFEU undergo a special legislative procedure as to enhance the statutory duties of the European Ombudsman to conduct investigations into human rights violations claims; 4.

Encourages the support for further educational programs promoting EU values and presenting the competences of EU institutions, insofar as to tackle issues of Euroscepticism; 5.

Calls for the extension of the Justice Rights and Value Fund to further support independent institutions that actively promote the values of the EU. 6.

The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) provides a stable basis for the EU budget over a period of at least five years. The MFF allows the EU to carry out common policies over a period that is long enough to make them effective and to complement national budgets, by funding policies with an European value added. 2

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY I

Mental Health and Education: With depression and anxiety disorders falling into the top 5 causes of overall disease burden among children and adolescents in Europe according to WHO and in light of the Commission’s strategy on mental health to focus on “mental health at work, in schools, and the prevention of suicide” how can the European educational systems and institutions engage in addressing the issue?

Submitted by:

Eleftheria Vlachou, Evaggelia Figou, Beatrice Mertziou, Konstantinos Karathanos, Lazaros Trasanidis, Marios-Pantelis Sapountzakis, Evaggelos Vyros, Maria Vergou, Evgenia Antsou, Meropi Kougioumtzoglou, Sofia-Rafaella Oikonomou, Grigorios Makris (Chairperson, GR), Alessio Pollastrini (Chairperson, IT).

The European Youth Parliament, A. Acknowledging the fact that 25% of the European population is affected by mental health

disorders, as stated in the European Mental Health Action Plan1, B. Conscious that half of mental health illnesses manifest themselves by the age of 14 as reported

by the World Health Organisation, C. Aware of the fact that depression results in underwhelming psychosocial and academic

performances, and implicates the manifestation of other mental health disorders,

D. Observing that suicide is the third leading cause of death in young ages,

The four core objectives of the Action Plan are: equal opportunities to realise mental well-being, respect of the human rights of people affected by mental disorders, accessibility and affordability of mental health services, right to respectful treatments. 1

Noting that 90% of the aforementioned suicide victims simultaneously suffered from a mental disorder, E.

Concerned about patterns of neglective behaviour spotted in mental health institutions and asylums, exemplified by inefficient treatments as well as outdated facilities, F.

G. Deeply alarmed by the stigma surrounding mental health illnesses, H. Seriously concerned of the correlation between bullying and mental health issues, potentially

resulting in suicides of children between the ages of 12 and 18 as stated by the School Crime supplement, Noting with deep concern that people who suffer from mental health disorders may abstain from actively seeking treatments in fear of being stigmatised, I.

Acknowledging the fact that the awareness rate and knowledge chasm concerning mental health disorders hinders the recovering process of such patients, J.

K. Noting with regret the limited access to mental health services across the European Union,

Further noting the inadequate school staff capacity and the lack of training initiatives in teaching personnel, as far as mental health is concerned; L.

Awareness 1. Invites educational institutions to integrate meetings with motivational speakers, who are currently experiencing or have experienced problems related to the stigmatisation due to mental health disorders; 2. Suggests Member States to establish national competitions inviting students to create promotional products stressing the importance of mental health; 3. Encourages Member States to organise seminars and social events in schools aiming at informing local communities about mental health disorders; Expertise 4. Proposes Member States to initiate online platforms as to allow students to anonymously contact experts from their country; 5. Asks the European Commission to create an online database in order to share information derived from the aforementioned platforms;

School environment 6. Asks Member States to secure an increase in the level of expertise by ensuring the presence of psychiatrists in educational institutions; 7. Calls upon national governments to facilitate the retraining of the existing school staff regarding mental health issues; 8. Recommends Member States to include lectures, movies, documentaries dealing with mental health in school curricula; 9. Invites Member States to organise extra curricula sessions of group therapy in schools; 10. Further invites Member States to integrate the principles of the Nordic School Model2 within national educational systems.

The Nordic Model of education is a national educational system based on the principles of equity, participation and welfare. 2