the Bohemian
Editorial Dear delegates, It’s been almost a week since you have arrived in Pilsen and a lot has happened since then. You made new friends, created lovely memories, and melted during Committee Work. You may have tried many things for the first time, such as taking paper before entering the toilet, or showering in groups. Though not all of these things may have been pleasant, we genuinely hope the experience you’ve shared during this session was a positive one. We also hope that the Bohemian contributed to what has been a unique week in Pilsen. To have one last special moment at the session, we decided to provide you with a complementary gift. If you can’t stand the rather rough toilet paper, you may want to check out our final page. Enjoy! Your editors, Conall O’Rourke (IE) & Lia Pachler (AT) 2
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Oh the places you’ll go
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History of Pilsen
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Crossword challenge
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To EYPfinity and beyond
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Session Bingo
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Session Pictures
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Inside EYP journalism
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What’s an official?
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What does EYP really mean to you?
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What kind of official are you? Give Alastair some colour
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Messages and memories of Pilsen
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Session survival kit 3
Oh the Places You’ll Go Molly McKeagney (IE) explores the world of travelling EYP style
Travelling is something we all like to do. Now don’t get me wrong, the normal type of travelling is fun. Who doesn’t want to see new countries and cultures, queue for hours to have a glimpse of the ‘must see’ sights, taking typical travel shots of historic buildings and or being ripped off by street vendors and cab drivers. But sometimes this gets a little boring after a while. Wouldn’t you like to change how you travel? Because there is nothing better than experiencing a new place through the eyes of a local. This is where EYP comes into play. EYP offers both the opportunity to travel to new places, but also meet up with friends, or meet your soon-to-be-friends while adding to the network of couches you can crash on. How does one go about making these changes? You basically have three options, all of which require the internet and ideally a Facebook account. Option number one: go to the alumni platform (http://alumni.eypej.org/eyplogin) and check out the upcoming sessions and fora. Once this is completed, have a look at your calendar and see when you are free. Next, sit down with a cup of tea and get writing. What will you be writing? Your application to become an
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official! There are a variety of roles which are available for you to try your hand at. If you want to find out which role suits you best then try our quiz on page 18. Option number two: log into your Facebook account and go to the Sessions! page, which has session calls and links to upcoming EYP events. Finally option three: When you are next hopping on a plane, train or automobile, you can post in the EYP Couchsurfing group and meet up or stay with EYPers in the place you are travelling to. These EYPers will hopefully be fairly knowledgable on the place in which you will be. They can show you the hidden gems, how to avoid all those super touristic places and all the while, still being allowing you to capture the culture and life of your current location. So, we thought we would make your life a little easier and bypass option one and possibly two as well. So flick your eyes over and take a look at some of the hottest upcoming EYP sessions.
When? October- November 2015 Where? Multiple- Kauniainen, Kangasala, Kuopio and Kaarina, Finland Application Deadline? 9 August 2015, 23:59 CEST for chairs, vice-presidents and editors 6 September 2015, 23:59 CEST for journalists and editorial assistants
When? 18 to 22 November 2015 Where? Braga, Portugal Application deadline? 28 August 2015, 23:59 GMT
When? 27 to 30 November 2015 Where? Narva, Estonia Application deadline? 22 August 2015, 23:59 CET for chairs, vice-presidents and editors The call for journalists and editorial assistants will open soon, so keep an eye out. 5
History of Pilsen Filip Jiroušek (CZ) revealing more about the mysterious city of Pilsen and its beer The very start
The main historical dominance of the city is St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral at the Republic Square, which is the square we walk through when going to the city centre. The cathedral itself was built in 1290, but its current renaissance style is from the 16th century. Pilsen was successfully besieged many times, for example three times during the Hussite Wars (1419-1434) and by the Swedish army at the end of The Thirty Years War (1618-1648). The only successful besiege happened at the very start of that war in 1618. Leaders of that rebellion were beheaded in Prague in 1620 (also known as the Beheading of 27 Czech Lords).
Pilsen and beer
In 1842 brewer Josef Groll created the beer Plzeňský Prazdroj by accident, now known as Pilsner Urquell. Groll was invited to brew German style beer, but he used new brewing techniques from the United Kingdom, and thus created something completely new. The taste was a bit bitter, the colour was darker and it had foam on top- the first of Czech Pilsen Style beers was born.
The beer became very popular, especially in the Czech Republic and Germany. Therefore, they decided to use the German version with the name Pilsner Urquell. They strongly focused on export, which lead to a high popularity amongst Industrial age countries like the United States or the United At the beginning of the 19th century the portreeves Kingdom. In 1869 another big brewery opened, of the city decided to pull down the city walls and namely Gambrinus. The brewery was inspired replaced them with parks, which opened the by Pilsner Urquell and decided to brew beer in a doors for the Industrial Age to flourish. In 1866 similar style. The beer became well-liked during Emil Škoda established his business here. His the Austro-Hungarian empire, to which Bohemia company was quickly expanding, mostly creating belonged. It became the most sold beer in this ammunition. After an explosion in the Škoda region and has been ever since. Over 25% of factory in 1917 they focused on producing cars, beer sold in the Czech Republic is Gambrinus. locomotives, planes and ships. Since then they have been producing over 17 million vehicles.
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by Kimberly Van Der Laan (NL)
bartholomew bitter bohemia citycentre culture czechrepublic emilskoda explosion josephgroll gambrinus hussitewars industrialage lords pilsnerurquell
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Bingo Session by Imogen Findlay (UK)
Got sunburned
Forgot paper for the toilets
Wrote a postit on the Orga Appreciation board
Liked the session Facebook page
Drank Pilsner beer
Stayed awake during all of Committee Work
Starred in a Media Team video
Missed the lift in the hostel by a second
Finished one of the huge meals
Made a speech in GA
Gave my journalist a fist-bump
had an awkward moment in the elevator
Followed thebohemian15 on Instagram
Admired President Payne’s socks
Complained about moving around in the heat
Opened a food box and got splashed with sauce
Managed to get more than four hours sleep
Took the stairs instead of the lift at least once
Read every article in the session issue
Had to reconnect to the wifi endlessly 9
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Inside EYP Journalism
Being passionate journalists themselves, Kimberly Van Der Laan (NL) and Imogen Findlay (UK) explain the role of a Media Team Member and the development of EYP journalism While it may seem that most of what we do is acquires, the more of a perfectionist one becomes. run around with big cameras, there is actually a We have seen it happen to many journalists: lot more to being a member starting off by cropping Your job is easy, you only photos and uploading them of any Media Team than just taking photos. To fulfill as they are, to later spending have to press a button. our duties carefully we are five to ten minutes per photo sacrificing uncountable Did you only apply as a on colour correction and hours of sleep and stay journalist, because you weren’t carefully selecting the best up to edit photos and pictures out of the hundreds accepted as a chair? videos, write articles and that are taken every day. finish projects, to name I always imagine the Media “Randomly pressing a button just a few. This does not on expensive equipment” just only cover the duration Team to be so laid back. Do you doesn’t cover it. of the session itself, but have a lot of free time? also multiple Skype and The output of a Media Team brainstorming sessions goes beyond photographs prior to the session in order to come up with many and articles. EYP journalism is permanently interesting and engaging interactive projects. And moving forward and centres around a theme of that doesn’t even include the research we do for constant innovation and improvement. Media session articles and infographics. Teams are increasingly rethinking traditional structures of a Media Team and its work, and How many nights have we spent sitting behind brainstorming new and original ideas. Recent our laptops on a bed with a big cup of coffee on developments such as a live GA broadcast, a live the bedside table? The more experience one GA statistics website to digitalise and streamline
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the process have proven to be very successful. Aside from this, journalists also plan events to go alongside the academic part of the session, and support the chair and their committee during Teambuilding, Committee Work and all other aspects of the session. Every Media Team carries its own media concept and strives to define itself whilst taking inspiration from successful projects that have been put into action at sessions previously. As a result, EYP journalism is ever-changing and ever-evolving, allowing for development and constructive alterations to be made at any and every opportunity. To a prospective first-time official this may all seem slightly intimidating, however, almost anyone who starts off at EYP has relatively little or no experience in using the EYP-typical professional-level software and other equipment. Media Teams always bond extremely quickly and form a close group of supporters for each other. In this inspiring environment, everyone’s learning curve increases exponentially as a result of effective knowledge-sharing and combining of expertise. Furthermore, no two members of a Media Team ever have the same abilities. As everyone’s responsibilities are so varied, there is always the potential to learn yet more skills and develop and build upon those you already have.
back for more. While everyone has different aspects of a session that they prefer, there is no area that is not fun, rewarding and ultimately hugely enjoyable. From taking a fantastic photo at just the right point, to capturing a perfect moment on video and seeing the appreciation in people’s faces when it is presented to them; from hearing positive feedback on the work that the Media Team is doing, to seeing visible developments in your own skills in all areas; there is so much of being a journalist that can bring satisfaction and happiness and a wonderful sense of pride, both in yourself and the other members of your team. Even though it may sound scary, and even though it may take a while to reach your goal, it is undoubtedly worth it and every single member of The Bohemian Media Team truly urges you to follow the same path and allow yourself these fantastic experiences, too.
The most notable area in which this is demonstrated is the technical proficiency that journalists gain from one another, with regard to photography and video-editing in particular. Most journalists go to their first session with a very basic understanding of how to use their camera in automatic mode and not much else. They then leave that session with a much better idea of how to take a proper photograph and what their camera is capable of. As more and more sessions go on they will learn how to effectively use various different camera accessories, and how to edit these photos and videos in complex and advanced software until they, as many other EYPers do, reach a level that could quite justifiably be described as professional. It’s important to stress that while being a journalist at an EYP session may sound like a lot of work, it’s the sheer gratification that keeps us all coming
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what’s an official?
Sophie Zemann (AT) and Gustaf Westin (SE) answer some of the most common questions about being an official This group of people are those making sure sessions happen in the first place. Led by one or two head-organisers, this team is, as the name suggests, responsible for the organisation of a session. They are the ones arranging so we have food to eat, coffee during coffee breaks, flip charts and post-its during committee work and a place to sleep during the night. Before the session they also arrange sponsors, catering and guests for the session and deal with legal matters and other things like the call for officials.
CHAIRPERSON The media team’s job is to document the session through photography, videos and other means. As the decision about the concrete output is up to the editor(s), the work of the media team can vary between sessions. It very often includes written works in the form of newspapers or blogs, as well as session videos. Thus, the media team is responsible for a session’s presence on different (social media) platforms.
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ORGANISER The chairs are perhaps the team the delegates are in contact with the most. Their task is to guide the delegates through the different parts of the session. It is the chair’s responsibility to ensure the academic quality of the resolutions. The chairs team is led by a president aided by two vice-presidents whose job is to support and assist the chairs in their work.
JOURNALIST
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
DO YOU NEED TO BE SUPER SMART TO BE AN OFFICIAL? Being an official is a bit like being a delegate, it is a learning experience. Perhaps being a chairperson at an International Session is not something you can start with, but the more you participate in sessions in the different roles, the more experience you will gather. For all the different roles, being willing to learn is a competence in itself.
WHAT IS THE PERFECT OFFICIAL?
The simple answer to this is that there is no such thing. Everyone has their own unique personality and style, and consequently different people take on the roles their own special ways. Sure, it is a big advantage if you are motivated and dedicated to your work, but again, people are different.
DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE BEST, MOST EXPENSIVE DSLR CAMERA AND THE LATEST EQUIPMENT TO BE A JOURNALIST? Obviously, it is a benefit if the right equipment is available, but borrowing things is a possibility. Learning how to use different kinds of devices is also often part of training. And yes, having a lot of equipment may give you more freedom in what the media team is able to produce, but if people are resourceful it often is no problem.
ARE JOURNALISTS ONLY JOURNALISTS BECAUSE THEY USE IT AS A STEPPING STONE TO CHAIRING? No. These two roles are very different, and require different skills. Many people try both of the roles, others stick to one. Some start with chairing and never move on to journalism, and vice versa.
DO JOURNALISTS STUDY JOURNALISM? No. High level journalism studies is not a requirement for being a good journalist at a session. If you look long enough, you will probably find some journalist somewhere that does, but it is definitely not essential.
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WHAT DOES EYP REALLY MEAN TO YOU?
Sophie Zemann (AT) exploring the different aspects of the EYP
After my first EYP session, I came back home very late. Grinning from ear to ear but totally exhausted, I had a little late night conversation with my mother. She impatiently wanted to know what this European Youth Parliament actually was. Quite understandable, as I had disappeared for two days, staying at a Regional Session. My grin vanished immediately. I was blank. How could I pack such a huge experience into a few mere sentences? The vast amount of experiences and emotions is too great. I have now realised that the more involved I get in this organisation, the harder it is to truly describe it.
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Over the past number of days I have chatted with several people about this exact issue. Every conversation starting with the simple question: What does the EYP really mean to you? It was not surprising that I heard a variety of different answers. “The people here are all simply on the same level and share the same interests.� - was one of the most common answers. It appears that undergoing the whole Teambuilding and Committee Work process improves not only the relationship between you and your team
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The European Youth Parliament is simply a whole world in itself, and should be discovered from all its angles. Different roles in different sessions in different countries.
members, but also between EYPers in general. When you meet an EYPer, you know that this person has gone through the whole procedure, endured embarrassing games, and worked in a team. When a session begins you do not need to know anyone, as amazing friendships will always develop over the course of the session. Even outside EYP events this spirit of belonging together lives on - whenever I get to know a bunch of new people and discover that one of them is a member of the EYP, I immediately feel connected to that person.
Another very appealing aspect is the personal development that everyone experiences here. At each session you attend your knowledge of group dynamics, debating, and politics, grows. You
may not even notice your learning process during session, but with retrospect it will become clear. This mix of many different people, each with their own unique talents provides the perfect conditions to pool and share knowledge and experience. Furthermore, the variety of roles at an EYP session provides more possibility to challenge oneself and further push your limits. Last but not least, I would like to elaborate further on the academic aspect of EYP sessions. You should be aware that it’s rare to find such a neutral yet still politically engaging organisation. Here, it is possible to think independently about EU related topics, free from the influence of others. The European Youth Parliament not only serves as a neutral
place for discussion, but also allows you to share this freedom with people who originate from all over Europe. The perfect opportunity to get different points of view on any issue. Today I would tell my mother that the European Youth Parliament is simply a whole world in itself, and should be discovered from all its angles. Different roles in different sessions in different countries. So here is your chance! To get to know people from all over Europe, to improve your skills and to sharpen your critical mind. Seize it. See you Europe!
somewhere
in
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What kind of official are you? by Kimberly Van Der Laan (NL) and Natasha Antalaki (GR)
What excites you most about traveling?
A. Enjoying the architecture, nature and art of a city B. Learning more about the history of the city I visit C. Finding the best possible restaurant
What is your most used social medium?
A. Instagram, but I find the standard filters boring/unrealistic B. Reading articles on twitter/facebook about recent events C. Facebook groups to communicate with others about projects
Which part of being a delegate did you enjoy most?
A. Research/knowledge sharing B. Seeing the way the Media Team worked and produced output C. Structuring the resolution
How punctual were you for committee work? A. 10 minutes early B. 0-5 minutes early C. 5-10 minutes late
What’s your core strength?
A. I’m innovative and enjoy brainstorming to come up with fantastic projects B. Whenever a problem occurs, I efficiently deal with it C. I can listen to and analyse people’s words and behaviour well
What would you do in a zombie apocalypse? A. Take care of the group and make sure we have a safe place to stay B. Come up with a crazy plan to distract the zombies C. Help the most scared people of the group deal with their stress
What would you want to ever give a speech about?
A. The new concept for a Nike advertisement and what they will look like in existing stores B. How to confidently lead a group C. How to deal with high-stress situations
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How do you succeed at productively studying for exam week?
A. I only have classes about topics that interest me and do research on them regularly during the semester B. I make a schedule weeks beforehand and stick to it C. I create a colour-coded system so I can easily see what I have completed and when my exams are
Which aspect of being in the Media Team would you enjoy most?
A. Giving a workshop about something that I can teach the rest of my team, the meetings where we B. Discuss which projects would be the most lucrative for our output C. Being taught how to use the Adobe software by the editors and my fellow journalists
Which aspect of chairing would you enjoy most?
A. Getting my committee to bond B. Having the resolution done perfectly on time, C. Learn more about chairing from the president but adapt the knowledge for my own style
Which aspect of organising would you enjoy most?
A. Greeting and talking to all the new arrivals at the session B. Preparing fun projects for the evening programme C. Put all my effort into making someone else’s plan work perfectly
What do you often end up doing at parties?
A. (re)Decorating the party location B. Taking lots of selfies and texting my roommate/parents if it is okay to come home later C. Discussing recent political events with others
If you have to make a video for an assignment, how do you structure it?
A. Making the storyline as interesting as possible B. Spend more hours than I was obligated to do to make it aesthetically pleasing C. Write a script and plan out what footage I need, then edit that within half an hour
Turn over to see how you did 19
Count the number of each colour you got to see which official you are.
Blue - Media Team
Purple - Media Team
Green - Media Team and Chairing
Red - Chairing
Grey - Chairing and Organising
Yellow - Organising
Orange - Organising and Media Team
Black - Don’t become an Official
MEDIA TEAM You like to be creative and think outside the box. Both of these are of utmost importance for being a member of the Media Team. A common misconception about the Media Team is that everyone is addicted to photography and also loves writing articles. In reality, everyone has different strengths and the teams are always incredibly varied. This means that anyone with an interest for delegate support or creative/academic projects can apply, as long as you are willing to work hard and improve on existing or learn new skills. Many roles overlap on multiple character traits, so if you have selected multiple green answers this could either mean that you are a chair with a very visual mindset, meaning you are suitable for both roles equally, or that you’re a Media Team member that will develop to become more of a team leader in the future.
CHAIRING As you may have suspected, there is a lot more to chairing than doing a few Teambuilding exercises and watching delegates during Committee Work. However, those who learn quickly and are dedicated to their academic work and selflessly leading their delegates will find it very rewarding. Also, there really is no ‘typical chair’. Everyone has their own way to deal with a committee and improve the resolution, which is great because this leads to a wide variety of personalities in the chairs’ team. Having selected a few grey answers is most likely quite useful for wanting to be a chair, as this indicates very neat and organised character traits that are necessary for both roles.
ORGANISING This role may be a bit more straightforward to explain, however, it requires a large amount of preparation. Especially before a large session the organisers need to prepare for any situation, get great venues and later be able to improvise anything that goes wrong at the session itself. Just like Winston Churchill said “Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential.” Organising can be exhausting, but due to the long preparations the team becomes incredibly bonded. Also, the organisers stick to their own schedule, which allows them to shower and sleep at random times, and having the opportunity to claim some of the better food for themselves.
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Give Alastair some colour President Payne doesn’t tan well. Help him out by adding some colour to his life
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Messages and memories of Pilsen 2015 Fill this space with notes from your fellow delegates
Message from your Journalist
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Session survival kit Please find below some toilet paper that is likely softer than what you have been using at the session
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THE EUROPEAN FORUM PILSEN 2015 IS ORGANISED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF MARTIN ZRZAVECKÝ, LORD MAYOR OF PILSEN General Sponsor
Main Sponsors
Official Sponsors
Long-term Sponsors of EYP CZ
European Forum Pilsen 2015 is a project of European Youth Parliament Czech Republic