The Mosaic by Oliver Stenbom

MOSAIC

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As I finish my seven year involvement with EYP I will take away countless memories; ranging from the snowy north of Norway, to the sunny south of Cyprus. Memories of debates, venues, speeches, and countries. But what I will remember the most are the people who I have met along the way - those who have left an indelible mark on me as a human being, and who I will truly never forget. The one piece of advice I would leave you with is to never be satisfied with the memories that you have, but rather you should forge ahead to make new ones; experiences that last a life time. I hope that Barcelona 2014 was one of these experiences.

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- Chris Hall, Session President

CONTENTS Editorial Three Is a Magic Number Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Be Honest Beyond Trust Falls The Way We Learn Conflict and Cultural Exchange Meda Team Projects Austerity Stories Committee Articles Team

p.3 p.5 p.9 p.11 p.13 p.15 p.18 p.19 p.21 p.53

Adding to the MOSAIC You are holding in your hand the only physical production of the MOSAIC Team: a book for you, the participants of Barcelona 2014, to take with you wherever you go next. This is but a piece of the mosaic that we send away with you, in which we hope you will see and remember the stories of the people you met, the places you explored, the teams you forged, and the work you accomplished. Here we compile a selection of the full spectrum of content that we have produced, always with you in mind as either our inspiration or our audience.

We invite you to share in the story that created this session, the dedication of Sandra, Albert, and Oriol, and the stories of you who lived it, your fellow participants, to remember that what passed so quickly was full of interactions that could only happen here. We offer you back what we gathered mainly from you, to aid you as you continue on in EYP or perhaps simply to reflect on what you gained here: why we return, time and time again, to EYP; why we bother with teambuilding; what and how we learn from EYP.

Finally, we ask you to consider what lies beyond our world. A session so firmly rooted in its locality, in the geography and culture of Barcelona and Catalonia, cannot be remembered without also acknowledging that all the work we do within the EYP happens in a greater context. How do political and armed conflicts in the murky real world affect the cultural exchange we strive for in EYP? How do the issues we discuss in such legislative abstraction affect us and others in the unavoidable reality of day-to-day life?

At the end of the day, we have perhaps raised more questions than we have answered. We leave these for you to take on, and leave also our website and app for you not only to consume and digest, but to build on and make your own. As the work of our team comes to an end, we eagerly await the next piece you will add to the MOSAIC.

By Gustaf Danielsson and Saki Shinoda

Three Is a Magic Number Gathering together the three brains behind the astonishing human machine that is Barcelona 2014 was not easy. Nevertheless, I had the opportunity to chat with Albert, Oriol and Sandra, and while their team led delegates through check-in, they confessed to me that they couldn’t actually believe that finally this event was happening. What I found incredible was the resemblance between the three HOs, and the parallels between the journeys they undertook in EYP. All come from cities around Girona in Catalonia, went to the same school, moved to Barcelona for their studies, and furthermore, are all pioneers in their National Committee.

It was more than fitting that the pioneering Albert, Oriol, and Sandra would organise the first International Session ever held in their home country. When Albert started EYP in 2005, national sessions did not exist in Spain. In 2007, when Albert was an organiser at EYP Spain’s first national session, Oriol, who is one year younger than Albert, attended as a delegate. He then went on to head-organise the first Iberian Forum of EYP Spain in 2009, where Sandra, the youngest of the trio – though still only a year younger than her former team-leader – was an organiser.

As first members of EYP Spain and organisers of both the first Iberian Forum and first regional session in Girona, it was more than fitting that the pioneering Albert, Oriol, and Sandra would organise the first International Session ever held in their home country. Still, after being such innovators, they have decided that this era has come to an end, telling us that Barcelona 2014 is the last thing they will do for ‘la familia’ – EYP Spain’s nickname – and for EYP in general. Barcelona 2014 is the last thing they will do for ‘la familia’.

“How did you do this?” Seeing their work, most people could only ask this this question incredulously, hardly believing they could have any real answer. Laughing, they recalled first how one year ago, they all moved into the same apartment, along with a fourth girl not involved in EYP. Can you imagine living with three roommates organising an event like Barcelona 2014? For them though, living together made the organisation a lot easier, as at any hour of the day they could hold a meeting, for example, in the kitchen. Rambla Calalonia, the street where their flat is located, effectively became the headquarters of the session.

Three is a Magic Number

Although head-organising an international session requires supernatural skills, Albert, Oriol, and Sandra are first and foremost human. When asked what the most challenging part of their experience was, Oriol told us about the importance of watch-

For Albert, Barcelona 2014 is:

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A great experience with a great group of peoople.

Albert, Oriol and Sandra have indeed entirely been committed to their work for two years now. For them it is now your turn to enjoy

For Oriol, Barcelona 2014 is:

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ing everything at once: always ‘a thousand things’ in his words. Sandra evoked the anxiety of her first meeting with the sponsors, while Albert recalled the difficulty of combining organising with their personal lives.

and make the most out of what has been, for them, an unforgettable experience.

Hard work with a group of good friends and a session for all of you.

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A challenge turning to happiness.

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For Sandra, Barcelona 2014 is:

ty to Catalonia may have even strengthened their great affinity to their home; and they were lucky enough to meet the President of the Parliament of Catalonia.

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Secondly, they take immense pride in organising a session in Catalonia, home not only to them but also to much of EYP Spain. Welcoming the international EYP communi-

Interview developed in collaboration by Sabrina Mellerowic, Laure Steinville and Alyona Vyshnevska. Article written by Laure Steinville, organiser pictures and quotes by Alyona Vyshnevska.

Albert never gets stressed out. Ever. Oriol knows basically every single person in Catalonia. And Sandra is the last one to leave the dance floor.

-Cristina

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I love their personalities. It’s so easy to work with them. And their flat is great!

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-Gonzalo

“ We call ourselves la -Maria

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Spanish people are not organised. Well, then I can say that the organising team is not organising team is not Spanish at all.

-Miguel

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Familia.

Let’ s Be Honest Why do we come back? In a recent promotional video, alumni were asked to describe EYP in one word and what it means to them. While excellent advertising material, such a video can only superficially touch on what our organization does, or why we stay involved. Then again, the reasons many automatically give for their involvement often fail to reflect selfish, individual motivations.

Many alumni readily confess to attending EYP sessions because of the friends they have made. Short and intense as they are, EYP sessions break down social barriers and bring people together. However, the very existence of the phrases ‘real-life friends’ and ‘EYP friends’ only highlights the circumstantial nature of many relationships in EYP: confined to the EYP environment.

Is it valid to return to EYP sessions purely to meet with friends? Attending an EYP session only to see friends could imply a lack of commitment to the common goal of all those who put time and effort into creating these events. Further, a group of friends attending a session together can upset the inclusivity of the session. Would it not be far less selfish to simply get together elsewhere, rather than potentially detract from the aim and atmosphere of a session?

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To inspire and motivate; to make a name for myself and an impact on the organisation.

Because I can’t imagine life without it – it’s a depressingly large part of who I am. I like myself more in EYP than in real life.

I’m good at it and that feels good.

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This outlook is mostly viewed as negative, but there is nothing necessarily ‘wrong’ with ambition as long as it is counterbalanced by self-awareness and a constructive approach to others’ development. “Climbing the ladder” does not imply knocking others down. Unfortunately, many fail to balance aspirations for one’s future within EYP with simultaneously supporting the goals of others.

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Conversely, some attend sessions in order to climb the ‘EYP ladder’. In every area of life, there are those who are driven by ambition and the appeal of authority. Additionally, people pursue EYP with the aim of expanding their own experience and CV, and to access the network of young, intelligent, driven professionals that extends out of EYP.

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Clever people I can’t find anywhere else.

Anyone who has experienced EYP will testify that there is much to be gained from our organisation. Many people value the personal development and acquisition of interpersonal skills facilitated by EYP. However, far too many disregard and thus show little commitment to this driving priority of EYP. But for those who truly appreciate this, the learning experience, whilst a selfish motivation, is a very valid reason to return to EYP sessions.

By Ciara Robinson and Beth Thayne

Beyond Trust Falls Why, oh why, do team leaders feel the need to lock their teams up for two days so they can all get to know each other? What makes them believe that singing songs and playing games will produce a working unit? Why is teambuilding important and what role does it have in setting our organisation apart from, for example, Model European Parliament (MEP) or Model United Nations (MUN)? To gain further insight, we interviewed two of EYP’s most experienced alumni to give their opinion on why teambuilding is essential to EYP.

Chris Hall “If you look at how difficult what we do is, teambuilding is essential. We take fifteen people from fifteen different countries to answer one extraordinary difficult question. In teambuilding there is obviously more play than knowledge and structure, because there has to be trust, respect, and a shared goal. We are striving for an inward-looking, intrinsic motivation rather than just the extrinsic side. Teambuilding is one of the ways to get to that position where there is that intrinsic motivation to do this job and write a decent resolution.“ Ultimately, teambuilding helps break down barriers by enabling interaction while creating opportunities for social and cultural exchange, academic development, and the development of friendships.

Still, many have little patience for going through touchy-feely activities with effective strangers. And why blame them? After all, should young European leaders really be bothered with silly games?

Stefan Vandenhende “Other organisations often have fewer teambuilding activities and they only serve as icebreakers. The teambuilding we do here is necessary for long-lasting and strong friendships. There is a sense of working together and a connection that a lot of alumni also feel within EYP that originate from teambuilding. I think you can have a session without teambuilding as well, but it would be less fun,” said Stefan Vandenhende, Project Manager at the International Office of the EYP.

“Not only is teambuilding essential to enabling all other aspects of the programme, it is also vital as it precedes the academic aspects of our events as well as highlighting and emphasising the cultural exchange we facilitate in EYP,” he added.

By Fahad Saher, Jasper Meijer and Laure Steinville

The Way We Learn

Last May, the Board of National Committess agreed on a proposal by the Governing Body and decided that French would no longer be a working language of the EYP. On one hand, the use of French in EYP had long been anachronistic, and with English-speaking delegates far outnumbering French-speaking delegates at most sessions, the practical use of French in General Assembly was limited by a general lack of understanding. Nonetheless, while most of the EYP community welcomed the decision, the French National Committee protested––not so much out of concern about the language in itself but its educational purpose of providing an opportunity to practice language skills and diversify debate.

This case of French in EYP and its educational value can be extrapolated into a wider point about EYP’s educational process. While most students go through school devouring narrow curricula packaged by national education department, EYP handles topics that almost always fall outside the remit of traditional education. Delegates can go from knowing nothing about the European fisheries policy to knowing far more than anyone in their right mind would ever want to. EYP can broaden horizons and develop analytical abilities to link across argumens and topics effectively.

But what makes the EYP educational experience different from traditional educational systems? For one, EYP relies on a system of knowledge where every delegate is responsible for their own research and sharing their knowledge with the committee. This process is not only essential to the outcome of Committee Work, but also demonstrates an effective teaching system. Each individual remains interested longer as they are an active part of the process and by its, the least prepared individual should be as informed as the most prepared. However, what really distinguishes the EYP learning process is how opinions are tested by the other members of the committee. To paraphrase the American philosopher John Stuart Mill, our opinions must be constantly challenged by not only ourselves, but also those around us if we are to conclude them as valid. By challenging the opinions of people from wildly different cultures and backgrounds, we can gain a better understanding of our own ideas and extend them. Our system may not prepare you perfectly for your exams, but over the course of an EYP session we undergo the process of synthesizing multiple viewpoints into our own balanced opinion.

In EYP, we learn by sharing our ideas and challenging those held by both ourselves and others. Most importantly, we are an active part of the process; indeed, we own both the process and its outcomes. We create a curriculum for ourselves collaboratively and in response to what we have already learnt. From 8.30 to 4 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in school, we are told what to learn. In EYP, we choose our own lessons and love them for it.

By John Mcguinness and Laure Steinville

Common Spirit, Deep Divides By Phelan Chatterjee, Laure Steinville, Alyona Vyshnevska and Beth Thayne

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I would like to see an EYP Basque Country cooperating with EYP Catalonia and EYP Spain.

- Organiser, Basque Country When we’re together in EYP Spain, we don’t think in terms of being Spanish or being Basque. EYP is an opportunity to share political ideas and we tend to leave out arguments on independence. It’s still a problem that needs to be solved. When a group of people in a country want independence, they need to be on equal footing with the rest of the country to be able to have a discussion. Yet many people don’t listen to each other, and that’s why we don’t understand each other. If the Basque Country were to become independent tomorrow, my EYP experience wouldn’t change. I would continue to be with the same people. What would change is that as Basques, we’d have the opportunity to feel free and make our own decisions.

In Catalonia, it’s OK to be Basque, because they understand the situation. But in other regions, if you say that you’re Basque, people quickly ask if you like the ETA. People might say you’re a disgusting guy and that Spain has enough problems as it is. I’ve experienced it myself; if you wear Basque clothing labels, people assume you’re a terrorist. I do believe that EYP makes a difference, culturally. We get the opportunity to speak to each other. For example, if someone had prejudices against the Basque Country, they would have the chance to interact with me. I would like to see an EYP Euskadi (Basque Country), cooperating with EYP Catalonia and EYP Spain. EYP is a great opportunity to get a real view of each other.

- Organiser, Girona

The main cultural exchange in EYP Spain is between Catalonia, the Basque Country, Madrid, and the other regions. Our cultures aren’t that different, but we do see differences in our organising team. The Catalans usually speak in Catalan and some organisers don’t understand. After all, Catalan too is a very diverse language: for example, the Catalan I speak in my city, Girona, is different to the variant spoken here. I don’t think the cultural exchange in EYP Spain makes a difference in a wider context. We don’t really talk about the issue and it’s very difficult to resolve.

Many Europeans see Belarus as a dictatorship and the land of the KGB. It’s partially true, but I live in peace. Sometimes Belarus can be really boring but it’s my country, and I love it. There’s nothing special about it; nothing dangerous. In Belarus, older generations have a picture of Europe as being very Western and capitalist. They watch a lot of Russian and Belarusian media. But it’s different with young people. Lots of young Belarusians receive Schengen visas, and many visit Lithuania, Poland, and the Baltic countries.

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I want to show people what Belarus is really like.

- Delegate, Belarus

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At the end of the day, we are all Mediterranean.

It’s especially difficult for young people to talk about because the most powerful Catalan independence radicals and Spanish unionists are young people. Still, we’re organising this session together and that shows that there can be a solution. At the end of the day, we are all Mediterranean. We care about having fun, organising the best session ever, and being loyal to ourselves.

Of course, sometimes there are issues when your views differ strongly from the government’s. Whenever we try to organise something, there seems to be a problem. When it comes to EYP, we’re not a Council of Europe member, so we can only invite people from Ukraine and Russia to our sessions. I want to see a development in my country towards Europe and to show people what Belarus is really like. My dream is to organise a session like this one, to show people my city. EYP has been around for 10 years in Belarus, it’s still alive, and it won’t die in my country.

-Delegate, Russia

At an earlier session that took place during the Crimea situation, I met a Ukrainian delegate who doesn’t talk to me at all any more. I don’t feel bad about it; it’s not really my problem.

I want others to know what life is like for average people in Ukraine, and I wanted to find out what young European people think about the situation. Not from media sources, but from the people who actually live in Europe. I’ve talked to Russians, and I’ve learned that many of them are very sad and feel sorry about the conflict between our countries. At the session, we can get along and talk to each other, even if we don’t always agree; a Russian delegate told me that after the recent plane tragedy, the Russian media reported that there were dead people on the plane before it crashed. He believes that it was possible.

I talk a lot with Ukrainians, but I feel uncomfortable when people start shouting extremist slogans like the ones chanted at Maidan. They’re not unbiased, but I am open to discussion. I’ll talk to anyone over a cigarette! Sometimes our opinions differ, and they thank me for giving them a new perspective. I hope for mutual understanding, and I value the opportunity to share different viewpoints with one another.

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We’re not different to other European countries, but people react weirdly to me. I always get questions about what I think of Putin, and what I think about Ukraine. Sometimes it gets annoying.

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I am open to discussions all the time

If more meetings like this happen, there will be a small change.

-Delegate, Ukraine

Many people try to protect their country’s image. Yet it’s not the people who are to blame; we’re not trying to question them. We are questioning the policy makers! At an EYP session, we see many sides to different issues. Still, I don’t think our interaction here can impact the actual situation so much. Though we are educated and have a common language, it’s difficult for Ukrainian and Russian youth to get along, in real life or on social networks. But if we can meet and learn about one another’s personal experiences, we might be able to see beyond the twisted perception we get from the media. If more meetings like this happen, there will be a small change.

HUMANS OF BARCELONA Humans of Barcelona aims to capture impressions of the participants of Barcelona 2014 in a very personal light. Taking the stories, opinions, and advice of a selection of participants, the project demonstrates the diversity in background, ideology and

experience that makes this session so incredible. With so many stories to tell and share, Humans of Barcelona intends to provide a brief insight â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a snapshot into the wealth of variety we have here at the session.

By Beth Thayne

Barcelona Talks Barcelona Talks, modelled on TED Talks, offers an interactive way for individuals at the session to share their experiences, knowledge and stories on issues that they are truly passionate about. Barcelona Talks is another platform to express this passion in an informal setting, to inspire and en-

lighten others. EYPers are both the ideal target audience and candidates: driven, eloquent and well-travelled. So, watch, listen and reflect on what the participants of Barcelona had to say.

By Ciara Robinson and Jasper Meijer

MOSAIC Radio Radio Mosaic introduces the different committee topics: take the chance to prepare for GA in style by lying back and letting your journalists explain each topic in one minute or less â&#x20AC;&#x201C; bear in mind that work is fun, and fun is work.

By Louis Wouters and John Mcguinness

www.barcelonaismedia.com/projects 18

Austerity Stories Quantitative easing, housing bubbles and budget deficits: the financial crisis is setting the European agenda. It’s a topic that is often discussed at EYP, but only in terms of what can be done on a governmental level. But how are people being affected personally? Residents of Barcelona share their stories of the crisis. Have you personally been affected by the financial crisis? Share your #austeritystories on Facebook or Twitter.

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“ I’ve always had a job.

Luckily, I haven’t really been affected. I’ve always had a job and I’ve been working throughout the crisis.

I’m not native to Barcelona; I come from Russia. Even though I didn’t finish my education, I haven’t had much of a problem getting jobs since there’s a demand for Russian speakers on the job market.

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The only reason I have a job is because I speak Russian.

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Catalan independence hinders our recovery.

I used to work in the hospitality sector; in a restaurant, 2 years ago. Due to the crisis, I had to become a street vendor. The impact of the crisis was huge, but right now, I see the Catalan independence movement as a problem, because it stops investment from other countries. I believe the recovery will be very difficult because of this.

The crisis has had a huge impact on me. But I try to take it as optimistically as possible. Life will smile at us again.

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“ Life will smile at us again.

I had to ask for clothes from my neighbours.

The crisis has affected me very badly. It’s been really difficult to find a job, even though I studied Finances and Administration. At one point, I was forced to ask for clothes from neighbours and relatives. The government doesn’t help you if you’re in this kind of situation. In France, the government helps a lot.

AFCO

The Constitutional Club The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) fundamentally deals with citizens’ rights and engagement. Can one million citizens change Europe? How much impact can we realistically expect? According to AFCO, the answer is “more than you’d think”. Respect, quality and friendships proved to be fundamental. Effective teamwork does not mean avoiding conflict; it means drawing out all viewpoints and ideas, commitment to informed debate and analysis, active listening, ability to give constructive feedback, openness to changing one’s mind, and management of conflict.

This perhaps forms the key core of our society, the spine of democracy, and the success behind this committee’s exemplary dynamics. From a point of view outside of the committee it was the ECI’s spirit at work at the micro-scale. They might not have noticed this during the process itself, but think about it: we have individ-

uals from more than seven different Member States thinking, discussing, and coming up with feasible solutions to real current European issues.

Above all it was a delight to see fourteen people from fourteen different nationalities form a warm and welcoming bunch that, according to some, was the â&#x20AC;&#x153;nicest and best committeeâ&#x20AC;? they have been in. Building teams is easy to talk about and difficult to accomplish. For most of us, positive team experiences are rare or average at best. If you have been part of an extraordinary team in the past, you probably long for that experience again. People tend to often drift into and out of extraordinary team chemistry, wondering what made the group click and how to replicate it.

For AFCO, it might have been motivation that made the difference. We hear the term often, and generally we associate motivation with a state of mind that moves us to action. That motivation led to a joint team effort. The motivation and drive shown by these fourteen individuals tastes like more.

This begs the question whether they have the courage to become the new generation of mentors and leaders. Step up. Surpass your own expectations. Inspire others. Barcelona 2014 has given you the tools; put them to use.

By Fahad Saher

AFET

From Foreign to Familiar Five days ago, fifteen young Europeans gathered in the galvanising region Of Catalonia to discuss Turkey’s possible accession to the EU. Reluctant sometimes, enthusiastic on the whole, they managed to Endorse the responsibility of reforming the EU’s foreign policy. Now it Is time to give you some insights concerning the AFET committee. From the first Game I saw these faces, already sunburnt, smiling and laughing to tears. Of course Nervousness was also perceptible, as most were strangers to one an other. A delegate of the committee, Louis “the Frenchie”, told me that he Felt a strong and shared team spirit in the afternoon of the second day. Indeed, water Football combined with a cover of La Macarena in the swimming pool was Apparently an efficient way of having a good time together. On the other hand, In Mari’s opinion, this group of individuals only jumped the hurdle of becoming a team more Recently. To her, the end of the second day of committee work was the most significant Step. Though initially testing of one another, eventually a shared trust emerged. Besides having fruitful and extensive debates, they had the opportunity to meet An important actor in European politics, Anne Brasseur, a Luxembourgian politician Recently elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Consequently, human rights and current European affairs were at the heart of this mutual Exchange. Another irreplaceable feature of this team is its Finnish guide and Leader: yes, Saga, it is you I am talking about. Your delegates admire your wisdom and Outlined the necessity of your presence at their side during the session. Another Noticeable fact is the perfect balance between XX and XY chromosomes, A perfect balance where each has his or her place. 2 end what may look like flawlessness, you may want to know that AFET have 0 taste for classical music and prefer to brainstorm to Carly Rae Jepsen’s hit. They are truly 1, forming a real entity and a group of friends. I doubt that Saga could have hoped 4 a better committee to make Barcelona 2014 an unforgettable International Session.

By Laure Steinville

CULT

Cultivating Friendships

The Committee on Culture and Education, chaired by the mint Luca Olumets, was characterised by ample reserves of girl power and the willingness of George, the only gentleman of the committee, to rise up to the challenge of Barcelona 2014. Under the Catalonian sun, the giggly bunch bonded with impressive speed over weird phobias about cheese. Sitting next to Tomito the donkey, the delegates shared stories about each other and soon transformed from a group of strangers to a team of friends. Debates and Dance-offs In the beautiful Sant Pau, CULT took committee work head on. The diversity of the team, combined with the multitude of their ideas and attitudes, made the whole process of committee work all the more interesting. The members of the committee formed a melting pot of complementary characters. Through intense debates amongst themselves and insightful discussions with their expert, Mr. Fahrenschon, President of the German Sparkasse association, the team explored tangible solutions to improve financial education.

By Arriana Yiallourides

Through a series of questions and engagement with the expert, CULT fully utilised this great opportunity to learn not only from the expert but also from each other. Of course, it was not all work. The enthusiastic team never missed an opportunity to have fun! When things would get difficult, or they simply felt like celebrating a concluding debate, CULT was indeed unique. To the sounds of ABBA and Shakira songs (other singers will not be disclosed to avoid embarrassment), CULT made for a truly entertaining experience to watch. Moving away from passivity This was a committee with the incredible ability to evolve into a team simply by opening up and stepping outside their comfort zone. With the inspiring motto of moving away from passivity and taking an active role in shaping their own environment, CULT fully utilised Barcelona 2014 to speak up, share their views and experience it to the fullest.

ECON I

Innovate, Cultivate, Consolidate. In the end it all comes down to management skills. You can have a brilliant idea and the resources to execute your plan, but if you cannot handle your people, success will never see the daylight. ECON I definitely had what it takes to operate effectively and bring about a thought-through resolution.

We may be young, but this is our time.

The personal connection makes the difference.

The members of ECON I can go back home with renewed belief in their potential to take on challenges that many of our generation shy away from. Their attitude towards taking initiative and responsibility for forming the future of the society they live in was admirable.

The members of ECON I all had a clear connection to their committee topic: financing opportunities for SMEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Each member related to the topic on a personal level, whether through their own start-up, a parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s company, studies in economics, business, finance or management, or the economic situation in their country â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and that made all the difference.

When a bunch of like-minded, pragmatic, down-to-earth people like that come together, what they gain from EYP is not limited to cultural exchange, debating skills, and experiencing democracy.

It is easy to look at todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competent and experienced leaders and think you do not stand a chance, that you are too young and inexperienced. On the contrary, ECON I understood that expertise comes from trial and error: trying, failing and occasionally succeeding.

It is not about being the leaders of tomorrow - it is about being the leaders of today.

No one is born an expert, but you will never end up being one if you do not work for it and believe in yourself. The patience and determination to succeed they showed during challenging teambuilding games and gruelling committee work showed their willingness to make Barcelona 2014 a learning experience for the whole team.

We all individually invest time into the session, but it is ultimately how a committee manages these resources that determines the return on that investment. Accordingly, ECON I approached the experience of an International Session as not only an environment for personal development, but also a forum for practical knowledge sharing.

ECON I took the format of EYP and customised it to their interests and needs.

By Anna-Helena Saarso

When I first met ECON II, we were introduced to each other through the game ‘Prejudices’, which involved us deciding on facts about each other purely based on our first impressions. There were many interesting observations: for example, that Bils enjoyed dubstep music and preferred very cold weather to hot temperatures, and that Valentina preferred latino music. On this first day, after having learnt that all our assumptions about each other were wrong, the committee began their teambuilding, successfully on track to being the group of close friends that they are now.

Two moments stick out as my fondest memories of the group. The first of these was their inspirational ‘water dance’. Bart assured the committee that he would be able to swim underwater through all their legs and their idea began to take shape. A cross somewhere between synchronized swimming and twerking, they shone brightly in the Catalan sun as they Harlem Shaked their hearts out in Cardona.

ECON II Challenge Accepted

The second memory is of our committee dinner during which we had a series of challenges to complete, set for us by Harm. The most entertaining included an entertaining speech by Olya, Oriol trying to convince us he loved giraffes, and finally Asli asking for the waiterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s phone number. Ever daring, the committee completed each individual challenge with bravado, until finally bestowing a challenge upon me â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to Harlem Shake my way across the restaurant. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to let them down, so I did indeed flail my way through the tables, returning to a delighted and impressed committee. ECON II have shone in all areas of the session and have truly made the most of Barcelona 2014, taking every opportunity to have a laugh and of course, Harlem Shake.

By Beth Thayne

EMPL Dear EMPL, It has been a fantastic time. I could not have wished for a warmer team spirit or for more thought-provoking discussions. With your colourful diverse personalities you managed to create a beautiful mosaic, where every single piece is essential. Apart from being collectively so clever, you all each have unique features, which I unconditionally adore you for.

One cannot overlook Cecilia’s perfect style or her addiction to Mean Girls. As both a cat and dog lover, Captain Emre Hanrex can get along with everyone. Philippa’s adoration of soap bubbles is only matched by her energy. Milena’s trendy outfits betray her outstanding shopping skills. Davide amazes us all when playing piano, especially Segen, who cherishes music. Leonor meanwhile will most likely run away to a heavy metal concert, as long as it’s not happening on a sea shore. Gatis is a technical mastermind who taught his neighbour how to print a Word document at the age of four.

Varvara dances in the morning and saves the world at night. Kasia’s educational path is the envy of all as she will start learning Japanese, though after twelve years of study, Liisa is already an expert in French. Meanwhile Rafa the Editoven is the next big name in EYP journalism as his passion is video-editing; perhaps fame will also find its way to Alex, a passionate actor. A rather stressful yet enlightening future is ahead of Gabrielle, as she is head-organising the upcoming Latvian Nationals, although Friends will always be there for her. In a similar manner our lovely silla a.k.a. chair Doro spends some momentos fantásticos writing her bachelor thesis based on examples from the abovementioned legendary TV show.

Put together in one committee, we created many amusing moments for ourselves. Remember painting “singles” on ourselves? Segen using the MTV series “16 and Pregnant” as a source for her argument? Sharing pictures of our pets at the committee dinner? Cecilia constantly laughing during the Monster game? Mean girls? Liisa fighting for time? Rafa turning up with food every morning? Que hora es? Without doubt you all are terrific in what you love to do – be it dancing, music or EYP. The world is a small place after all, so we may one day find that our ways cross once more, be it at Davide’s concert, Philippa’s World’s Biggest Soap Bubble Festival, or another session, recalling all those colourful moments we experienced here together at the 76th International Session in Barcelona. Yours, Alyona

ENVI I

A Dialogue with Clear Hearing

Climate change is a difficult topic to tackle in politics, because it requires taking into account scientific knowledge. The current international climate negotiations suggest that policy makers view a conflict between science and policy making. ENVI I proved that this did not have to be the case. They put more focus on science than politics, and united for an ambitious stance on climate change policy.

The committee is slightly unusual by EYP standards, with a composition that favours theoretical physicists over law and politics students. They had some other surprising characteristics in common too, such as embarrassing stories involving underwear and a knack for adapting Barbie Girl to their climate-change-fighting purposes.

They bravely took on the challenge of carefully considering the scientific state of affairs, with the help of their expert, Mr. Christophe Van Orshoven. He presented different scenarios of what the world could look like, depending on the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions in the upcoming decades.t

He showed them not only that the EU was on a good trajectory, but also that the goals that seem ambitious are in fact very much within reach. Incorporating this enlightening knowledge into their work, the delegates of ENVI I agreed on an ambitious strategy, and based their resolution on scientific knowledge. If the negotiations in 2015 go as smoothly, then we might not be in such environmental trouble.

The committee, like all good policy makers who take on great challenges, did of course encounter disagreements. Indeed, they debated for a long time over which of the many pressing issues should be prioritised. However, in contrast to the politicians running the real climate change negotiations, they never squabbled over what fundamental strategy to adopt to combat climate change.

In addition to giving hope that climate change policy does not always have to be about politics over science, the committee showed a heartwarming ability to open up to one another, share their most memorable experiences, and talk about who inspired them. May they go on to inspire many others themselves.

By Rebecca Smith

As Newton’s third law states: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. ENVI II follows the laws of nature obediently, while finding efficient ways to restore harmony in European seas and coastlines.

Law

Nature I: Balance

Law

Nature II: Struggle

Let us focus on the inner dynamics of the committee. In a group where no strong leaders were defined, ENVI II struggled at times to find focus and come to conclusions. Everybody was eager to express their opinion, but no one actively led the committee towards a common stance.

Still, there were questions to be answered. What is relevant and what isn’t? Should we talk about this now or later? Does this go under Regional Sea Conventions or the Marine Strategy Framework Directive? When facing these questions, the committee kept drifting away from the path to a finished resolution, into the depths of frustration and confusion.

While the lack of clearly defined leadership perhaps didn’t result in the most efficient time management, it helped create a very balanced environment that dissolved any tension between the delegates. Indeed, it made participating in the committee a diverse and relaxed experience for everyone.

The higher the waves, the more determined their attempts to stay on track. The tougher the struggle, the more effort the committee put into finding its way out. At the end of the day, their way to a complete resolution was fueled by the challenges they overcame.

ENVI II Wave After Wave

Law

Nature III: Atmosphere

There’s a noticeable difference when you enter ENVI II’s room: civil but vibrant communication defines the committee. Whatever obstacle they faced on their journey, it was never enough to defeat their motivation and common effort.

Nature IV: Reaction

Whether it was a problem their committee topic addressed or an opinion of a fellow delegate, the members of the committee never showed apathy. ENVI II invested at least as much into the session as they took out.

“

Law

I mean, they are just so nice to each other. The atmosphere is very friendly and pleasant.

Their actions and reactions led to a balanced environment in the committee. May this balance translate into a balance in the European marine environment too.

- Sophie Hall, ENVI II Chair

By Anna-Helena Saarso

FEMM I I’m a firm believer that the best stories start at the beginning, so I ask you to cast your minds back to the first day we met and our first impressions of each other. I can’t speak for all of you, but I knew the moment I met you that you guys were a special committee. I knew that I hated you more than any group of humans I’d ever met in my life up to this point, and nothing has changed.

THE END

Fun, Friends, FEMM

Unfortunately, I must admit that I’m joking. In reality, I’m incredibly happy I got a committee like you guys. Let’s take a trip down memory lane to last Friday and consider the short journey we’ve embarked on. *fade out in dream sequence*

On Friday you all arrived brighteyed and bushy-tailed, excited for another taste of what an IS could hold. We on the officials’ team could feel the excitement in the air. The squeal of reunions and hands slapping backs in hearty hugs filled the air as friends met again for the first time in months. It was an atmosphere of remembering the old as you somewhat reluctantly confronted the future – it was time to meet some new faces too. Teambuilding had begun.

Things kicked off nicely as you learned each others’ names fast enough that I knew absolutely none of them, but I struggled on. Teambuilding began as it does for every committee: some were quiet, others loud. There were those who remained silent in a few games and those who were anything but. But that’s when something happened. I left for a few hours and suddenly I came back to a fully-fledged committee.

Now here I must confess my ignorance: I have no idea what produced such a dramatic change. One of the most diverse groups I’ve ever seen turned into a cohesive unit that produced topnotch banter on a daily basis. Was it screaming “Dime me que me quieres?” in each others’ faces for half an hour? Was it Erdem’s speech about how he was “chill as femm”? Or was it a million other little things in between? The answer, as I’ve stated, is I have no idea. All I know is that it produced a wonderful team of people who I am proud to have spent a week with under the Catalan sun.

I won’t focus on the academics, because that wasn’t what your story was about. Your story was about bringing together a miscellaneous group into an actual team. If you want to try to find a more pleasant, funny, and enjoyable committee, good luck. I wouldn’t hold your breath.

By John Mcguinness

FEMM II

Leading by example

What could possibly make the ten days of Barcelona 2014 even more unforgettable? The fifteen lucky individuals of FEMM II found their answer in Anna Borrell, who guided her children through every storm and her very own city with her eye always on one clear goal: realising equal pay for work of equal value. Who run the world? Girls. Taking into account the many measures that are currently in place at the European level, FEMM II had to come up with innovative ideas to tackle the gender pay gap in Europe. Besides the specific role of the Member States, they had to consider the role of universities and social partners. Unsurprisingly, the twelve ladies of the committee took the leading role and showed the world what is missing in real life: women at the top.

In the creation of the resolution, the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality welcomed Mr. Cabero, the CEO of BIQ Spain/Portugal, who explained the lack of women in decision making positions. Inspired by the measures that he takes to treat both genders equally in his company, FEMM II developed new perspectives to tackle the problem at hand. In contrast to the more practical approach that Mr. Cabero gave, the committee was also able to put five academic questions via Skype to Maurizio Mosca, an expert from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), who explained how gender stereotypes and behavioural patterns affect women’s choices, and described how legislation can influence private companies.

Just the start. For some, the topic of the gender pay gap will be left at the session, while for so many others, the issue of equal pay will not end here and will refuse to be ignored. When entering the labour market, they will face the same issues discussed in Barcelona 2014. United in this spirit of urgency and relevance, FEMM II hoped to pave the way for change. That, and more tangibly the journey undertaken taken by the ladies and gentlemen of FEMM II has shown that change is possible, even far beyond Barcelona. During the recent days, passionate debates have filled the committee room of FEMM II. Seeing the resolution, nobody – man or woman – could doubt that FEMM II is ready for the floor, and the world too.

By Louis Wouters

INTA

Crossing the Atlantic

July 2013: the EU and the US start negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the proposed largest free trade zone worldwide. July 2014: 15 young Europeans meet for the first time to start their own negotiations on TTIP. They do not represent either of the two parties on opposite sides of the Atlantic but rather personal opinions and realistic approaches towards one of the most current European issues.

Crossing an ocean is a challenging process, and the first strokes of INTA’s journey were the hardest. Struggling with a spider’s web and miscommunication delayed their passage through teambuilding, and trying to row in all directions left them spinning without focus in the Cardona Olympics. Still, spurred on by the challenge the committee grew together to face the toughest seas the Atlantic could offer. While other committees took hours to solve challenging problem solving game such as the notorious code cracking game, INTA broke records. While the rest of the session ‘entered’ the bus and ‘entered’ the pool, the crew ‘INTAd’ instead.

Though the negotiators of the TTIP may struggle with transparency, this committee never hesitated to share their opinions freely. Even as the EU and the US still struggle to reach a consensus, INTA was among the fastest committees while still thoroughly approaching their topic with a realistic basis. As both sides of the Atlantic share values that support their negotiations, INTA shared Patrick the angry bird between them. The further the session proceeded, the closer the crew became. Conflicts and disagreements stayed in the committee room and as soon as they were done for the day, they returned to calm seas. During committee work the fifteen were able to build on the experience the rough waters during teambuilding taught them.

The TTIP negotiations are criticised from various parties. The committee however decided to forward a positive message across the Atlantic. Their message is a redefinition of the current TTIP negotiations including higher transparency, a customised adaptation of Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) and the inclusion of the financial sector. Whether their thoughts will be heard is soon to be decided during General Assembly, but the journey has been a successful one. They even call themselves a family, and enjoyed their rowing experience. As the poet Rainer Maria Milke said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The only journey is the one within.â&#x20AC;?

By Sabrina Ariana Mellerowic

ITRE

Importing Knowledge, Securing Independence Energy, dependence, security and resources. While the European Union lacks this, ITRE does not. Taking responsibility for themselves, organising their own energisers and creating a relaxed but surprisingly loud atmosphere.

However, it sometimes seemed like the committee members were operating at different frequencies. This was particularly evident when approaching a code-breaker activity during teambuilding. In the heat of the day, they were given simple instructions. Break the code. A piece of paper with a number o

However, this was not always the case. At first glance the committee’s quiet and shy personality contrasted very much with their loud and outgoing chair. However, as time passed and their vocabulary widened, ITRE not only levelled but surpassed the noise of Zahra’s dolphin laugh whilst adopting, “Sooouund”, “Graaaand” and “Holaaa”.

n it was given to each individual. Unknowingly, these corresponded to their names to form the phrase, “Hola Barcelona IS”. A seemingly simple task turned into a gruelling three hours split over two days. The committee seemed to focus on mathematically calculating these numbers in one form or another. With each individual trying to quietly break the code, communication seemed to leave the room.

After numerous attempts, approaches and frustrating moments, the committee finally found their answer. With shouts of joy and sighs of relief, it was apparent that the committee had been pushed to their depths with such a challenge.

Having just been re-elected and as a member of the actual Committee for Industry, Research and Trade, Mr Butikofer clearly recognised the difficulty in finding a common solution within a large group of diverse people.

One thing that really stood out was their willingness to keep focussed and the maturity with which they approached the activity.

He inspired the committee with his insights into the practical process of how decisions are actually made. With a genuine curiosity and willingness to engage with Mr Butikofer, the committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s depth of understanding increased enormously. Again, this simply highlights how their focussed, enthusiastic and mature approach is a credit to them.

This was something that their expert, MEP Reinhart Butikofer, described with surprise. He emphasised how impressed he was that despite their age, their level of understanding and approach to discussions was very mature.

So, ITRE, congratulations. It has been a grand journey.

By Ciara Robinson

Fifteen backs lay side-by-side on the green grass of Cardona. Their hands lifted, they waited to carry each of their number, one by one, from one end of the line to the other. Then, it all began, and as most teambuilding games do, it began with a blend of giggling and awkward reservation. As the sun burned down on faces already quickly turning red, they lifted the lightest girls up. Without a concrete strategy they initially struggled, but quickly and rather easily the first two girls found themselves safely on the other side.

LIBE Let It G0

The grass tickled the necks of the patient committee as they relayed the remaining twelve from one end to the other. Good planners as they are, LIBE had the foresight to save the best for last: the biggest gentlemen in the committee were the last to cross the line. Faces flushed red not just with heat but with exertion, and muscles flexed in the arms of every committee member. Soon enough though, Bill and Baris too were carefully ferried over the row of hands. Sharing intense relief, everyone moved back into the shade.

When I asked the committee to write down the specific moment they will cherish most from this session, only one memory stood out more than the endless singing: this trust game. In retrospect, for LIBE, that game could have been the session. It began, just like the first part of the exercise, with feelings of awkwardness that quickly vanished half an hour into the session. Just as the committee accelerated after the first two girls they carried across, they began to have fun, to establish roles within the group, and discovered a feeling of team spirit starting to bloom.

By Jasper Meijer

Yet it was the experience of carrying the two heavyweights that most resembled the three days of Committee Work. The committee often worked hard, but sometimes found themselves hardly working after a few hours too many of late night activities. However, the committee ultimately delivered, and â&#x20AC;&#x201C; figuratively and literally â&#x20AC;&#x201C; got Baris and Bill to the other end. Though their final resolution was impressive, it was the road towards it which was the true product of their work. And as you have hoped aloud so often in your passionate song, I hope you can feel the love tonight, and also just let it go.

SEDE The Uniter “I want to develop unity between us.”

The Common Vision

The Sedater “I have a calming effect on debates.”

The Observer

The Contributer

“I want to contribute a personal opinion.”

“I want to bring something new to the team.”

The Refocuser

The Catalyst

“I will try to keep us focused.”

The Rationale

The Encourager

“I will keep the aim in sight.”

“I will try to bring people out of their shells.”

The Active Ears “I want people to trust me.”

The Caretaker

“I take the information “I make sure we and process it.” stay optimistic.”

The Devil’s Advocate

“I am the antagoniser, and I’m not sorry.”

The Facilitator “I want to help everyone be able to speak out.”

The Architect “I will help to structure the discussion.”

The Chair “I want you to create something you support.”

The Committee on Security and Defence here in Barcelona 2014 are vivacious and diverse. From the outset of teambuilding, it was clear that the committee was host to a number of strong, enthusiastic personalities. A crucial step in the teambuilding process was the integration of a character the entire committee are incredibly fond of, Wicked the bear, or Wicki. As the silent observer of the committee, he has followed the progression and development of the committee throughout the session very closely. SEDE had the task of discussing the European security and defence and foreign policies – a naturally controversial topic. However, the committee gelled very well and before even beginning to discuss the topic realised that they had a common vision for the future of the EU’s stance

on power. The committee agreed that the fundamental values of the European Union lay in its focus on diplomacy and structured international discourse, outlining the three most important views they held on the Union’s stance on global relations: first, that the EU should be united in morality, next that the EU should be an actor in peacekeeping and humanitarian aid, and finally that the Union should act as a facilitator in diplomatic discussions. What is refreshing is that the committee came to these conclusions through individual, independent consideration, giving them a committee mindset made up of their individual visions. In addition, their common vision is grounded in the fundamental principles of the EU, which they have managed to bear in mind throughout their discussions.

Based on this ideology of peace and mediation, the committee decided that the best option for Europe would be to adopt a smart power stance, a balance of soft and hard power, thus allowing Europe to still hold influence internationally through strategic employment of diplomatic discussion and action to resolve conflicts. Once this main pillar of the resolution was set, they discussed how to improve, simplify and solidify European defence and foreign policies, and they looked at several solutions to do so. They saw the need for further integration with existing defence organisations such as NATO which would offer overarching protection to member states, as well as the need to decrease the EU’s dependency on resources from outside the Union. Much like their vision for the EU, SEDE certainly developed throughout the session to depend on themselves, succeeding and excelling in every area.

By Beth Thayne

TRAN

Castle, Queen, Conchitas After a night of grandeur at the Opening Ceremony and amounts of sleep that weren’t ideal, we’re all on the minibus. Speeding down the motorway, we leave Barcelona behind and approach the castle in the tiny village of Castellet. Among steep, winding roads, it seems like a most unusual place for the office of Abertis, a multinational corporation. Like Sant Pau, the castle is an imposing building and looks like something out of a fairytale. Everyone is struck by the commanding views of the countryside, drowned in Catalan sunshine.

The heat and stunning surroundings make it feel counterintuitive to actually sit down and work, but there’s a long day ahead. We settle in on the top floor and set up for Committee Work. The delegates start off by holding presentations on different aspects of their topic: examples of efficient public transport systems, stakeholder analysis and public private partnerships. Despite the late night, they are well prepared and engage in an analytical discussion.

“

I left them alone at coffee break for one minute, and when I came back, they’d formed a human pyramid!

But they’re still pretty sleepy, and seem to have come up with innovative, if overly laddish, energisers. Halfway through a discussion, two delegates run off to do push ups. It soon becomes evident that Teresa runs a tight ship. She doesn’t beat around the bush, and tends to keep her energetic delegates in check. This eventually earns her the title of Queen Teresa. But this doesn’t mean that she’s a dictatorial chair. In fact, it goes to show that she treats the delegates as the responsible, albeit loud, people they are. Although it might come across as harsh, the relationship between her and her delegates is undeniably warm.

delegates and everyone is interested in finding out how much she actually knows. They all have different stories to tell - some more blush-inducing than others - and end up having a good laugh. It was evident during committee work that the delegates weren’t afraid to engage in heated debates. But their camaraderie meant that they were still friends every time they went to coffee break. By getting to know one another really well and exchanging their ideas, they created a functional team that certainly knew how to have a good time. This really sums up the committee spirit. The story of the “Conchitas”, as they affectionately refer to themselves, is one of boisterously bonding and uniting as a team.

During the evening, we’re sitting in the basement of a laid-back restaurant in the heart of Barcelona. As we’re treated to a range of mouthwatering tapas, the delegates start discussing all the latest session gossip. An hour or so goes by before Teresa decides to dive in. It would seem as though the chairs have been gossipping as much as the

By Phelan Chatterjee

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MOSAIC JOURNALISTS

Alyona Vyshnevska Anna-Helena Saarso Arriana Yiallourides Ciara Robinson Beth Thayne Fahad Saher Laure Steinville Louis Wouters Jasper Meijer John McGuinness Phelan Chatterjee Sabrina Ariana Rebecca Smith

Disclaimer: Any views

Oliver Stenbom Sebastian Hojas

EDITORS

Gustaf Danielsson Saki Shinoda

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European Youth Parliament, Barcelona 2014

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