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.