In September 2010 the European Youth Parliament (EYP) in Germany will host a Session in the city of Passau for the first time. At the border triangle of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic about 60 delegates from all over Europe will come together and discuss current political issues related to “Youth and Education in Europe” on an academic level. The Euroepan Youth Summit on Education will be under the patronage of Mrs Androulla Vassiliou, Member of the European Commission and Jürgen Dupper, Mayor of Passau.

Concept of the session (PDF)

Alumni as Participants

For the first time in its history the EYP will provide active members, who have dedicated much personal effort to the work of the EYP, the chance to broaden their horizon and become a participant of the European Youth Summit on Education. In addition to a strong commitment to the European idea, EYP Alumni possess a good knowledge about the European Union and will therefore ensure high level debates.

Youth and Education in Europe

2010 marks the end of a restructuring period based on the Bologna Process and a milestone after a decade of student protests and demonstrations against several inequalities within the different education systems. Were the reforms successful? Where did they lead us to? What are the remaining differences between the nation states?

The Summit´s aim is to discuss these questions and further aspects of the topic in internationally mixed groups and to encourage the participants to find solutions and develop visions for a sustainable European education policy.

Process and Programme of the Summit

Mutual trust, common motivation and the realisation of strengths and weaknesses form the basis of a successful team. Teamwork is a big challenge. That is why, at the beginning of the Summit, the participants will take part in a training covering different aspects of group dynamics and communication (Teambuilding). During various games and challenging tasks the teenagers will build the foundation for cooperating in an international team and strengthen their skills to find solutions together in personal responsibility.

In the following Committee Work the participants will deal with one aspect of the main topic and put together the results of their discussions in a resolution. Instead of repeating of commonly known positions and socially established opinions on the subject the focus lies on the deployment of own visions, ideas and concepts.

The participants will present their resolutions in the General Assembly on 18 September in the town hall of Passau.

During the General Assembly the young adults will discuss their resolutions in an open debate in English. Every committee will defend their ideas aiming at the resolution to pass.

Passau Consensus

All Resolutions will be put together in a final declaration: the Passau Consensus. The Summit´s Press Team will accompany committee work and summarise all resolutions at the end. Further explanations after each resolution will provide a deeper insight into controversal opinions and critical questions on the specific topics in order to outline the development of the discussions and the process of finding solutions. Furthermore the Press Team will be responsible for the session blog which will cover all events and the results directly from the Summit.

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the head organiser of the session, Kerstin Eckart: kerstin.eckart@eyp.de

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