On the occasion of Germany’s presidency of the Council of Baltic Sea States from July 2011 to July 2012, the Foreign Ministry and the Schwarzkopf Foundation initiated the Baltic Sea Youth Session together with EYP Germany. The Baltic Sea Youth Session will gather 66 delegates from the 11 member states of the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in Berlin.

From April 22 – 25, young delegates from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Germany and Iceland – all of the CBSS Member States – will come together in Berlin and discuss the challenges and prospects of the Baltic Sea region.

In cooperation with the Foreign Ministry and the Schwarzkopf-Foundation, the European Youth Parliament sets the focus of this session on the importance and development of the Baltic Sea area. As a supraregional panel for information, consultation and coordination of an area that was formerly marked by the interface of East and West, the CBSS today supports the peaceful coalescence of the Baltic Europe. The council plays an important role in areas such as the fight against environmental pollution and internationally organised crime.

On the occasion of the Baltic Sea Day on April 24, 2012 in Berlin, the young Europeans get the possibility to further develop their appreciation of democratic decision-making processes, to contribute to intercultural understanding of Europe’s peoples, to break with prejudices as well as to strengthen their opinion on European unity and cultural diversity.

Special features of the Session will be a reception with the German President and a “Baltic Sea Party“ that brings together the participants of all events dedicated to the German presidency of the CBSS.

For further information about the session and its programme, please contact the project managers Cora Hille and Pauline Marx.

Partners

Every year, three International Sessions of the European Youth Parliament, our international umbrella organisation, take place in different European countries. From April 5 –14 April, 2013 more than 300 young Europeans, aged 16 to 20, from 36 European countries will gather in the south of Germany to voice their opinion on current European issues. As was announced earlier this week, Mr Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, has granted his patronage to the event. As the Commission and the Council are currently working on EU resource efficiency targets, Mr Potočnik was “pleased to learn that the conference will focus on sustainable growth and the importance of natural resources.”

For ten days Munich will be a hotspot for exciting debates about European political topics. The importance of resources will be the focal point of these debates as the increasing challenge of the global resource distribution make them decisive for the EU’s future. Mr Potočnik also stresses the importance of the topic as he outlines that “the solution to the global challenges we face lies in a world transition to a more sustainable economy; an economy based on a balanced integration of economic, social and environmental objectives.” Since “the active participation and involvement of younger generations and future leaders will be crucial to engage in this path”, the Commissioner was happy to accept the invitation to grant his patronage to this gathering of Europe’s future leaders, because “without them, this much-needed transition will simply not happen”, he says.

More information about the 72nd International Session of the European Youth Parliament can be found here.

In 2012, EYP Germany organises its first two Regional Conferences as a part of the National Selection. The Regional Conference for the Northern half of Germany will be held between the 8^th and 11^th of March in Hamburg.

More than 100 young people will gather in the modern metropolis of Northern Germany to discuss the future of mobility and communication in the European Union. Throughout the session, all participants will be accommodated at the Gymnasium Grootmoor in the idyllic northern districts. Moreover, two international guest delegations will contribute to the international atmosphere. Olaf Scholz, First Mayor of Hamburg, has taken the patronage over the Regional Conference.

For each Regional Conference, twelve delegations of eight students from upper-secondary schools will be invited to participate. These session serve both as preparation and qualification for the National Selection Conference, which will be held in Berlin from the 27^th and 31^st of May. At Berlin, two out of twelve delegations from all over Germany will be selected to represent Germany at the International Sessions of the European Youth Parliament in autumn 2012 in Amsterdam and in spring 2013 in Munich.

Mobility and Communication – cornerstones of European Integration

At the Regional Conference, the young delegates will deal with the diverse importance of Mobility and Communication for the future of the European Union. On various aspects of the theme, they will reflect recent developments, form their own visions and decide upon political action within the EU. How will urban and rural areas, and individual states within and outside the EU be related to each other in the future? How important are the willingness to mobility and new ways of communication for the future of the EU? In the 21^st century, the political world, but also the daily routine are subject to rapid changes. With their own visions, our delegates are contributing to the political reflection of these phenomenons and to the emergence of a joint future.

“To be a mediator between all continents and peoples of this world within the spirit of peace“ – this is the leitmotiv the city of Hamburg gave itself already in the year 1888. Thus, it will be the perfect scene for exchanging visions about the future of our continent in 2012.

The Regional Conference in Hamburg is divided into three elements: Teambuilding, Committee Work and General Assembly.

Mutual trust, common motivation and the identification of strengths and weaknesses are the indispensable fundament of a successfully working team. Therefore the first part of the session is teambuilding, creating trust and team spirit in a playful way. The delegates are taught to observe group dynamics and acquire problem-solving and decision-making strategies.

During the subsequent Committee Work, the young delegates exhaustively deal with several aspects of the session theme “Mobility and Communication – cornerstones of European Integration“. Creativity and persuasive arguments are essential for finding a common position of the committee, which is then phrased into resolutions. These contain both an assessment of the current situation and solutions for the future.

The General Assembly on the 10^th and 11^th of March at the Bucerius Law School is both highlight and completion of the Regional Conference. The delegates present and defend their resolutions in debates in English and French according to the terms of the European Parliament. The

An independent jury will assess the delegates during Committee Work and General Assembly in order to choose the six best school delegations, which will be invited to the 22^nd National Selection Conference of EYP Germany in Berlin. Evaluation criteria such as cooperation within the committee, capability of argumentation, language skills as well as the innovativeness of ideas make the Regional Conference a highly challenging competition.

Be part of it!

The European Youth Parliament was founded as a school project in Fontainebleau, France, in 1987. Today, the EYP is one of the largest European platforms for political debate, intercultural encounters and exchange of ideas among young people with active organisations in 35 countries. It is a unique form designed to actively engage people in the construction of their future society and seeks to promote the European dimension in education and to give European youth the opportunity to take part in a practical and positive learning experience. Democratic process, interest in current affairs, independent thinking and personal initiative are key concepts of the EYP.

In case of any questions remaining, please do not hesitate to contact the head-organisers Ulrich Johannes Völker und Berthold Wahjudi.

By 2012, the German National Committee of the European Youth Parliament (EYP) will for the very first time hold two regional sessions in the course of the National Selection. The Regional Selection Conference for southern Germany, with each eight sixth formers from twelve different grammar schools participating, will take place in the Bavarian town Traunstein between 23^rd and 26^th of February.

In this rather unknown district town, the young participants will stay at the Chiemgau-Gymnasium (a local grammar school), discuss the formation of a Global Civil Society together with two international guest delegations, write a common resolution in their respective committees and finally debate these in the course of the General assembly in the town hall.

The Regional Selection Conferences serve as qualification for the 22^nd National Selection Conference in Berlin between 25^th and 29^th of May, where a jury will choose two school delegations to represent Germany at the International Sessions of the European Youth Parliament in Amsterdam in autumn 2012 and in Munich in spring 2013.

Networked world, networked people – Europe on track towards a Global Citizenship

For young Europeans like us it is self-evident – Our friends are randomly distributed all over the world but nevertheless merely a few mouse clicks away. There have never been such easy circumstances for common commitment. New and alternative media extend our options for participation and teach globally networked mindsets.
On track towards a Global Citizenship, the existent structures and decision making processes are no longer compatible with a considerably altered idea of democracy on the part of adolescents and young adults. The EU is at the crossroads, facing challenges demanding a common response as well as dwindling endorsement of the European Idea within the EU member states. At the very same time, European policy is left behind by a generation willing to take responsibility in a Global Civil Society.
Inhomogeneous and multipolar as it has never ever been before, the European society bears particular potential to initiate and carry on transformations today. The European Youth Parliament and especially this Regional Selection Conference offer youth a podium to recognize, discuss and seize chances for Europe and themselves.

The Regional Selection Conference in Traunstein is divided into three elements: Teambuilding, Committee Word and General Assembly.

Mutual trust, common motivation and the identification of strengths and weaknesses are the indispensable fundament of a successfully working team. Therefore the first part of the session is teambuilding, creating trust and team spirit in a playful way. The Participants acquire problem solving and decision making strategies and are furthermore taught to observe group dynamics.

During the subsequent Committee Work, the young delegates exhaustively deal with several aspects of the main theme of a global civil society, what demands a sound and detailed preparation for the analysis of the current situation. Creativity and persuasive arguments are essential for finding a common position of the committee, but phrasing this concept in a resolution according to the terms of the European Parliament has to take into account every delegate’s position. Experienced chairpersons will follow and simplify reaching a consensus.

The General Assembly in the town hall is both highlight and completion of the session. It is now the participants’ task to debate the resolutions they have developed in an open, both English and French debate according to the terms of the European Parliament. Each committee will defend its own position, aiming at the adoption of their resolution by the General Assembly.

An independent jury will watch the participants during Committee Work and General Assembly in order to choose the six best school delegations, which will be invited to the 22^nd National Selection Conference of the German National Committee of the EYP in Berlin in May 2012. Evaluation criteria like cooperation within the committee, capability of argumentation, verbal skills as well as the innovativeness of ideas render the Regional Selection Conference a challenging competition.

Be part of it!

The European Youth Parliament was founded as a school project in Fontainebleau, France, in 1987. Today, the EYP is one of the largest European platforms for political debate, intercultural encounters and exchange of ideas among young people with active organisations in 35 countries. It is a unique form designed to actively engage people in the construction of their future society and seeks to promote the European dimension in education and to give European youth the opportunity to take part in a practical and positive learning experience. Democratic process, interest in current affairs, independent thinking and personal initiative are key concepts of the EYP.

For further information about the session please do not hesitate to contact the head organizer Leo Kaindl.

Session Concept – PDF

Due to the events on the 9^th of October 1989, Leipzig has a special political responsibility and strong ties to this topic. The peaceful revolution had a great impact on the process of Germany becoming reunited.

Referring to statistics of Shell’s 16^th study on youth ,,Jugend in Sachsen’’,  young people are more and more disinterested in institutionalized politics, but at the same time very much involved into voluntary social work. This is not just a German problem, but exists all over Europe. Within the session we want delegates to talk about the current situation and problems concerning democracy in today’s world. What is democracy and how should it look like? Are there alternatives and what are future perspectives? We want young people to find new ways of participation. We give them a platform to exchange their ideas and visions. We want to show them the importance of participating in political issues, of thinking about ongoing affairs and raising their voice to shape the future.

For further information about the session please contact Franziska Hülß, head organizer of the session.

Session Concept – PDF

From 31st August to 4th September, the European Youth Parliament will be guest in the Rhine-Main region for the fourth time. For our international Forum in Wiesbaden, we anticipate about 90 young people from across Europe to discuss European issues and explore the cultural diversity of Europe. Therefore the cosmopolitan city of Wiesbaden is the perfect host. The Parliamentary Assembly will be held in the  Hessian state parliament. There, the young people will discuss their resolutions according to the rules of the European Parliament and will practice impersonately dealing with other opinions and standpoints during the development of concrete projects, which are meant to be implemented by project partners after the meeting.

Integration is not only a subject of public debate in the German media, but is has always been an important issue in the European member states. While the media attempts to highlight many aspects in an open debate, people often feel that this will not lead to results. The European member states have long offered common actions as possible solutions to promote the integration of third country nationals in EU countries. Although integration policies fall within the competence of the member states, successful pan-European initiatives already exist through which all citizens and residents – with or without an immigrant background – are meant to have the opportunity to be part of a diverse society.

The focal points of the meeting in Wiesbaden will deal especially with social and educational aspects of integration of young people in Europe. Participants will be given the opportunity to speak their own minds in the debate on integration. The adolescents will furthermore help fashion the future of Europe – their future Europe – through the development of independent projects.

Take Part!

Join the 80 Delegates from all over Europe and take part in the International Forum on Integration in Wiesbaden! Please use this form to apply for session.

For further information about the session, please contact the head organiser Pia Spiesmacher.

The first International Forum of the European Youth Parliament in Weimar will celebrate the occasion of the 20 year anniversary of the Weimar Triangle. From 28th August till 2nd September representatives from Germany, Poland and France will discuss the future of the Weimar Triangle with delegates from Denmark, the Czech Republic and the Ukraine. By simulating the European Parliament the participants will draft resolutions on Migration, Demography and Learning Mobility of Young People.

The Weimar Triangle was established on the 29th August 1991 through a joint declaration by the Foreign Ministers of France, Poland and Germany. Since then it offers a trilateral forum for dialog and cooperation. In February the French President Sarkozy, the Polish President Komorowski and the German Chancellor Merkel met to launch a German-French-Polish Youth Office.

In cooperation with the Federal Foreign Office, the European Youth Education and Meeting Centre in Weimar (EJBW) and the Schwarzkopf-Foundation, the European Youth Parliament will focus on the historical importance of the Weimar Triangle. A twenty year old trilateral forum, whose decisions define future European politics.

The work of the European Youth Parliament is not of symbolic nature. The result of the session – the resolutions – will be handed over to and discussed with politicians and experts.

But there is more to Europe than “just” politics. It is a continent full of culture, culinary delights and great traditions. We celebrate this diversity by creating not only political dialog between the participants but also cultural exchange. Special events, such as the Eurovillage, offer delegates a chance to experience Europe’s diversity. At the International Forum of the European Youth Parliament in Weimar, the participants will not only understand the broad spectrum of opinions of their fellow delegates, but also the motivation that drives them.

Take Part!

Join the 80 Delegates from all over Europe and take part in the International Forum in Weimar in! Please use this form to apply for session.

Session Concept - PDF

Continuous carbon emissions have endangered the global climate equilibrium ever since industrialisation. Even if society manages to reduce emissions drastically, it will take several hundred years for the climate to recover. Heat waves and natural catastrophes like hurricane Katrina 2005 have demonstrated that it is time for the public debate to focus on prevention and protection measurements for people across the globe. Alongside slowing down climate change, there is an urgent need to recognize the already visible consequences in different regions of the world and find suitable adaptation strategies in order to mitigate the effects of present and future environmental dangers and conflicts.

Europe’s youth is not only the first generation to grow up in the presence of the climate debate but also the generation of future decision makers. We want to provide the participants of this summit with a forum to analyse the situation from different angles and develop innovative and creative ideas for society to handle drastic and unpredictable climate variations.

For further information about the session please contact one of the head organisers Franziska Maier or Benjamin Gradhand.

Picture Credits:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chimber/2568723888/

From May 30th to June 4th 2011 around 80 young Europeans will gather in Regensburg for the European Forum of the European Youth Parliament.

Regensburg Concept – PDF

The young people will deal with the European single market in various international committees and discuss ideas and visions for the future of the European Union and the European single market. In the General Assembly the delegates will discuss and vote on their drawn up resolutions. Subsequently, the resolutions will be presented to prominent representatives of politics, economy and society.

The Single European Market

Strawberries from Spain, wine from France, flowers from the Netherlands – the boarders within the European Union are becoming increasingly blurred. Since the implementation of the Single European Market in 1993, it has reduced trade barriers, created jobs and increased prosperity in the European Union. Since the EU’s enlargement to 27 Member States, the EU has become the biggest common market in the world. Although it was one of the greatest achievements of the European integration, its implementation remains controversial, including the extension of rules and the issue of social protection. Still, it cannot be called a completion of the internal market, because new challenges stemming from the global economic crisis require a continuous correction of the regulations and operations. The city of Regensburg offers a perfect backdrop for the participants given its position as an historically important commercial centre with trade relations with all countries of the European continent and serving as a major hub for the goods from all over Europe.

For further information about the session, please contact the head organisers Maximilian Gigl and Annika Heffter.

Sponsors

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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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Picture Credits:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23560781@N05/2248459035/in/photostream/

Visit the official website of the session: www.schwerin2011.de

Schwerin goes Europe –  in spring 2011, Schwerin will host the 21st National Selection Conference. 100 delegates from all over Germany are going to discuss the European Union’s future, with special emphasis on the European identity.

Two delegations from Slovenia and Denmark will contribute to the international atmosphere. The beautiful castle “Schloss Dreilützow” is our accomodation and committee-work location. The session’s highlight, the General Assembly, takes place in the Golden Hall of the “Neustädtisches Palais”.

Topic of this year’s debates will be the European Union’s future.

The financial and economic crisis has put the principle of European solidarity to a severe test. Meanwhile a public discussion on the Europan identity has started, which the delegates are going to take up. They will debate the importance of European values as well as the influences on these values. Their visions will then be pronounced in concrete action plans for the EU.

The National Selection Conference is divided into three elements: teambuilding, committee-work and General Assembly. An independent jury observes committee-work and general assembly. Two delegations will be selected to represent Germany at the International Sessions of the European Youth Parliament in autumn 2011 in Zagreb (Croatia) and in spring 2012 in Istanbul (Turkey). Selection criteria such as linguistic competence, strength of argumentation, teamwork and wealth of ideas create a highly demanding event.