"The EU: Today and Tomorrow"
Is the theme of the 8th National Selection Process of EYP Sweden, which aims to raise awareness on current European issues, encourage an active European citizenship, intercultural dialogue and a diversity of ideas among young people today.
The EU: Today and Tomorrow is the theme of the 8th National Session of EYP Sweden, which aims to raise awareness on current European issues, encourage an active European citizenship, intercultural dialogue and a diversity of ideas among young people today.
What?
In February 2012, a national session will be held in Stockholm, hosting over 150 young people from all over Sweden. The project is organized by the Swedish branch of the European Youth Parliament (EYP), a unique European forum, with sub-organizations in 32 European countries involving approximately 20,000 young people in social related issues annually. The goal of the national session is to engage Swedish high-school students in current issues affecting Europe today, during a three-day session in Stockholm.
Why?
Young people's interest in politics and the EU is unacceptably low. For many youth today, the EU is something that seems distant and irrelevant to their daily lives. The National Session 2012 aims to tackle this problem. Our goal is that through experiencing the European Parliament first-hand, young people may better attain an understanding of its role, as well as insight on how both their and the EU's future are intertwined.
The theme for the session - "The EU: Today and Tomorrow" - reflects this. An anticipated generational change and growing EU skepticism gives the topic relevance as many young people are questioning the future of the European Union. It is important to increase young people's awareness and to encourage young people to engage in their world and in Europe.
Who?
Young people's involvement and influence on society through EYP is invaluable. Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders, by involving them today, we can strengthen the leaders of tomorrow. EYP is continuously working to involve more and more young people, while encouraging and supporting the development and involvement of senior members.
Through introducing high school students to debate and intercultural exchange, we can assure a better dialogue in the future. In order to face the issues of our times, young people are required to bring in new ideas, ways of thinking and solutions to today's global problems.
The National Session in February 2012 aims to bring young people from all over Sweden together; and to raise awareness on social issues among Swedish high school students who have the will, but perhaps not yet the opportunity, to influence and contribute to the change our world needs. At the end of the session a number of secondary schools are selected by a jury to later represent Sweden in international sessions organized by EYP. The results and impact is both short and long term, but it is undeniable, a profit for the future.
§ Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony will take place in Kungsholmens Gymnasiums auditorium and mark the beginning of the 8th National Session of EYP Sweden. Speeches will be delivered by various session aprticipants and cooperative partners. As the official patron of the session, EU Minister Birgitta Ohlsson will give a speech, followed by a speech by the Chief of Mission for the EU-Commission in Sweden, Pierre Schellekens.
Dress code: Formal
§ Panel Discussion
The Panel Discussion will follow immediately after the Opening Ceremony and also take place at Kungsholmens Gymnasium. There EYP invites scholars, practitioners and representatives of the EU, UN, US and Polisario to discuss the questions relating to the state of human rights in Western Sahara. What measures should the EU take in order to maintain relations with Morocco, yet secure the rights of the Saharawi people? As all of EYPs activities, the goal of the panel debate is to create a dialogue between young people and decision makers.
§ Teambuilding
On the first day of the session the delegates will engage in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities under the direction of their committee chairpersons who are all experienced alumni of EYP. The games can be physical, creative and problem solving and are designed to get the committee to work as a team. The teambuilding exercises will encourage and prepare the delegates for the two days of Committee Work.
Teambuilding will be held in the beautiful venues of Kungsholmens Gymnasium, located on the island of Kungsholmen in Stockholm
Dress code: Comfortable (sports/outside activity)
§ School Presentations
On Friday evening each delegation will perform a presentation of maximum two minutes. The activity goes under the name School Presentations - sketches, songs and super talents. More information and practical details will follow.
Dress code: Costumes of your choice
§ Committee Work
Participants will discuss their topics in their committees under the guidance of the Chairperson, who is responsible for leading and organizing the discussions in the committees. The Chairperson is also expected to make sure that the committee is making progress, solve problems, mediate when needed, create a good atmosphere, prevent discussions from taking too much time, break deadlocks etc. The Chairperson is to make sure that everyone gets to speak and that the resolution reflects the opinions and ideas of all delegates, but he or she has to remain neutral and objective at all times. Instead of telling delegates what to do, the Chairperson should show them different methods on how to work efficiently. Primarily, it has to do with showing the delegates that their committee will prosper and benefit the most from hard work, rather than from someone showing them the easy way out.
During the discussions, delegates will present their opinions to one another, seek support, and compromise to reach a common solution supported by all. Emphasis is on reaching consensus and that solutions are created together, through well supported arguments. During the discussions, notes are taken on what is agreed upon, and in the final stage of the committee work, these are summed up and put together in the form of a resolution from the committee, on the topic the committee has been assigned.
§ Saturday Evening Activity
More information coming soon!
§ General Assembly
The General assembly unites all participants during the final day of the session. The General assembly is opened with a speech from one of the invited speakers. After that, all resolutions from the committees are dealt with following the order set by the board. The General assembly largely follows the parliamentary procedures. A briefing will be giving by the Chairperson during the session to clarify any uncertainties. Furthermore, the Chairperson will sit with his or her committee during the General assembly, to assist them in the process. The General assembly ends with the closing ceremony. The General Assembly will take place in Landsingshuset.
Dress code: formal
Preliminary Programme for the 8th National Session of EYP Sweden
Thursday
08:00-10:00 - Arrival of Officials
10:00-12:00 - Officials Teambuilding
12:00-13:00 - Lunch
13:00-15:00 - Officials Teambuilding
15:00-15:30 - Coffee Break
15:30-18:00 - Workgroup Seminars/Training
19.00-21.00 - Welcome Dinner
21.00-22:00 - Check in & Sleep
Friday
07:00-07:15 - Wake Up Call
08:00-10:00 - Arrival of Delegates
10:00-10:30 - Coffee Break
10:30-12:30 - Opening Ceremony and Panel Debate
12:30-13:30 - Lunch
13.30-15.30 - Teambuilding
15.30-16.00 - Coffee Break
16.00-18.00 - Teambuilding
18.00-19.00 - Dinner
19:00-19:30 - Prep. For School Presentations
19:30-22:00 - School Presentations
22:00-22:15 - Transfer to STF Fridhemsplan
22:15-23:00 - Registration
23.00-Sleep
Saturday
06:45-07.00 - Wake Up Call
07:15-08:00 - Breakfast
08:00-11:30 - Committee Work
11:30-12:30 - Lunch
12:30-15:30 - Committee Work
15:30-16:00 - Coffee Break
16:00-18:00 - Committee Work
18:00-18:30 - Transfer to Evening Activity
18:30-19:30 - Dinner
19:30-23:00 - Evening Avtivity
23.00-23:30 - Transfer to STF Fridhemsplan
00.00 - Hand out Resolution Booklets/Sleep
Sunday
06.30-06:45 - Wake Up Call
06:45-07.30 - Breakfast
07:30-08:00 - Transfer to General Assembly
08.00-10.00 - GA: Resolutions 1-3
10.15-10.30 - Coffee Break
10.30-13.00 - GA: Resolutions 4-6
13.00-14.00 - Lunch
14.00-17:00 - GA: Resolutions 7-10
17:15-17:30 - Coffee Break
17:30-18:00 - Closing Ceremony
19.00 - Unofficial Farewell Dinner for Officials
Hotel Fridhemsplan STF
Largely recognized as "Stockholms largest and most modern hostel" we will be staying at STF Fridhemsplan, located just a moments walk from our primary venue.
Kungsholmens Gymnasium
Considered one of Stockholms oldest and finest upper-secondary schools, Kungsholmens Gymnasium will be hosting our Opening Ceremony, Teambuilding and Committee Work.
Landstingshuset
The City Council of Stockholm has graciously allowed us permission to use their Council Office Auditorium, one of the finest venues in Scandinavia!
Delegates
The 8th National Session of EYP Sweden will gather over 150 young students from 18 different Swedish upper-secondary schools . The delegates will be divided into committees of their choice, where they will be able to freely express their opinions and debate about current issues. Each delegation consists of four delegates, aged between 16-18 years.
A list of the participating schools will be found on your right shortly!
Teachers
All delegations must be accompanied by a teacher from their home country. The teachers will have their own programme with the main emphasis of developing their knowledge on EYP and how it can be coorporated into the classroom.
IHGR
Sigrid Rudebecks Gymnasium
Göteborgs Högre Samskola
Umeå Internationella Gymnasium
Jämtlands Gymnasium Wargentin
Bäckängsgymnasiet
Bladins skola
Malmö Borgarskola
Europaskolan i strängnäs
Spyken
S:t Eskils skola
Haganässkolan
Hersby Gymnasium
Viktor Rydbergs Gymnasium
Franska Skolan
Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet Södermalm
Solna Gymnasium
Every committee will be under the leadership of committee chairpersons , who all are experienced EYPers. Their role is to guide the delegates throughout the session, ensuring that everyones opinions are respected and heard. The chairs team is under the leadership and guidance of the Board, consisting of the session president and two vice presidents.
Gillian O'halloran (IE) Kerstin Mathias (DE) Gustaf Danielsson (SE) Rosa Douw (NL)
President Vice President Vice President Chairperson
Benjamin Gradhand (DE) Ben Brown (UK) Carlene Kuschke (UK) Didirk Helsing (SE)
Chairperson Chairperson Chairperson Chairperson
The idea of a Press Team at the National Session was put on hold until sufficient funds had been secured.
However, at this point, despite having reached economic stability we've made an internal decision not to have a call for Press Team in order to bring other aspects of the session to their maximum potential.
Instead there will be a local team of Journalists that will take pictures and make a session video.
Gillian O'Halloran
The 8th National Session of EYP Sweden will be presided by Gillian O'Halloran, a very experienced and enthusiastic EYPer from Ireland. Gillian has held many positions during the years and recently presided the prestigious Iberian Forum in Gerona, Spain.
The organizing committee is responsible for running the 8th National Session of EYP Sweden . This includes fundraising, planning, implementing and evaluating the session. They are the ones working day and night to ensure the high quality of the session, making it a memorable experience for you!
The organising committee of the 8th National Session of EYP Sweden consists of four dedicated EYP Alumni.
The two head organisers are Caleb Morell and Oscar Stenbom , who both have sufficient experience of EYP and organising events such as this. They are the ones getting the least sleep both before and during the session, making sure everyone's needs are satisfied! They are also the ones leading the organising committee throughout the planning and implementation of the session, and have the general responsibility of the session.
For help and assistance the two head organisers have two well experienced and creative colleagues: Noura Berrouba and Sigrun Fagerfjäll . Without their constant support the session would not be possible.
To ensure the high creativity level of the session we have chosen to divide the session activities between us. If you have any questions regarding a certain activity dont hesitate to contact the responsible organiser.
Caleb Morell Head organiser
Head of Public Relations, responsible for all contact, information and publications regarding the session. Also resposible for Opening Ceremony, Teambuilding,Teachers Programme, Panel Debate and website and all social media.
caleb.morell_eup.se
Oscar Stenbom Head organiser
Head of finance, in charge of fundraising and budget. Also responsible for meals, accomodation, Thursday's evening activity, officials day and resolution typing.
oscar.stenbom_eup.se
Noura Berrouba member of the organising committee
In charge of committee work, coffee breaks, Saturday's evening activity, press team and assisting in fundraising.
noura.berrouba_eup.se
Sigrun Fagerfjäll member of the organising committee
In charge of Friday's and Saturday's evening activities, goodiebags, delegate arrival/registration, general assembly and assisting in fundraising.
sigrun.fagerfjall _eup.se
Video introduction!
The European Youth Parliament (EYP) was first established in 1987 in Fontainbleu, France, with the aim of promoting the European dimension in education. The organisation represents a non-partisan and independent educational project tailored to the needs of the young European citizens.
Each year, thousands of people from over thirty different European countries gather to discuss global issues regardless their ethnicity, religion or political affiliation. The participants form friendships and contacts beyond their national borders - making a contribution in the uniting of Europe. The base of EYP consists of national committees, with the task of selecting delegates to participate in sessions representing their country. EYP currently has national committees in over thirty European countries.
The aim of European Youth Parliament is to:
- Raise awareness of European issues by encouraging active European citizenship and motivate students to get engaged in European politics
- Promote international understanding, intercultural dialogue and diversity of ideas
- Contribute to the development of personal skills of European youth
- Provide a forum in which the youth of Europe can express their own opinions
"I have noted with interest the work of the European Youth Parliament to promote dialogue and sharpen democratic awareness among young Europeans" - José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission
For more information about EYP, please visit:
www.eypej.org
For more information about EYP Sweden, the swedish national committee, please visit:
www.eup.se
PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE EU
AND WESTERN SAHARA
The 8th National Session of the European Youth Parliament Sweden brings the conferences theme, The EU: Today & Tomorrow into the world of international politics with a panel debate that invites scholars, practitioners and representatives of the EU, UN, US and Polisario to discuss the questions relating to the state of human rights in Western Sahara.
What measures should the EU take in order to maintain relations with Morocco, yet secure the rights of the Saharawi people? As all of EYPs activities, the goal of the panel debate is to create a dialogue between young people and decision makers.
Participants in the Panel Discussion
Moderator:
Elisabeth Löfgren
Press Secretary for Amnesty Internationals Swedish Section
Panel:
William Stewart
Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Sweden
Erik Hagen
Western Sahara Resource Watch, Norway
Aliyen Kentawi
Polisario representative to Sweden
Jens Holm
Member of Swedish Parliament, Left Party
Therese Hydén
Head of Section International Law and Treaty Law, Ministry for Foreign Affairs
About the Moderator
Press Secretary for Amnesty International Swedish Section
WESTERN SAHARA CONFLICT OVERVIEW
by Gusaf Danielsson
The conflict between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) over the territory of Western Sahara, like many other African conflicts can be traced back to colonial times. In 1973, Sahrawi tribes in Western Sahara formed the Polisario Front in order to end the Spanish colonial rule over what was then called Spanish Sahara. The Fronts guerrilla warfare tactics proved successful and they gained control over large parts of the countryside.
By 1975 Spain was, as a result of growing resistance and international pressure, forced to negotiate the terms of its withdrawal from the region. However, the Polisario Front was not alone in having claims to the region. Both Morocco and Mauretania demanded annexation of Western Sahara. To support its claim, Morocco asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for an Advisory Opinion (the ICJ is the primary judicial organ of the UN. One of its main aims is to provide Advisory Opinions, non-binding interpretations of international law). When the ICJ, while admitting there were some historical and political ties between Morocco, Mauretania and Western Sahara, rejected both countries territorial claims, King Hassan II of Morocco ordered over 300,000 civilians backed by Moroccan military on a Green March to Western Sahara in order to force Spain to the negotiating table.
The Green March had the desired effect, and on November 14, 1975 Spain, Morocco and Mauretania signed the Madrid Accords, a treaty that divided Western Sahara between Morocco and Mauretania. As a response, Polisario declared the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) on 27 February 1976 and, backed by Algeria, declared war against both Morocco and Mauretania.
Using the same guerrilla tactics as they had against the Spanish, the Polisario Front was able to force Mauretania to withdraw their forces and formally recognise the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic. Their success was short-lived however, as Morocco soon moved in and occupied the territory previously held by Mauretania.
The war between Morocco and the SADR continued, although it was stalemated by the construction of the Moroccan Wall, a 2,700 km long wall running through southern Morocco and Western Sahara, enclosing within it most economically useful and inhabitable areas of Western Sahara.
In 1991, the UN negotiated a cease-fire between the two parties and a referendum on independence was scheduled the following year. However, the plan soon fell apart over disagreement on who should be allowed to vote in this referendum, with Polisario wanting to rule out any Moroccans who settled in Western Sahara, and Morocco changing its demands out of worry that a referendum would not serve its self interests.
There has since been numerous attempts to revive the peace process, most significantly by former US Secretary of state, James Baker who put forward the Baker Plan, also known as the Third Way, which proposed that Western Sahara would become a semi-autonomous region of Morocco for a transition period of five years after which a referendum would be held on independence, semi-autonomy or integration with Morocco, but the plan was rejected by Morocco and no permanent solution has been reached. The Polisario Front has repeatedly threatened to take up arms again if this state of not war, nor peace ends and a permanent solution is reached.
In October-November 2010 the Polisario set up protest camps in Western Sahara, which were later broken up by Moroccan military. These protests are by some considered to have been the start of the Arab Spring although they gained neither the media attention nor the result that they had in other places.
The EUs official standpoint has been to support UN efforts to achieve a permanent solution to the conflict, which ensures the rights of the Sahrawi people. It has however received criticism for giving substantial financial aid to Morocco, without putting enough pressure on the country to resolve the conflict and stop violating the human rights of the Sahrawi people. The EU has also been widely criticised for repeatedly renewing fishing contracts with Morocco without regarding the rights of the Sahrawi people to the natural resources of Western Sahara. Worth noting however, is that the latest renewal which was proposed be the European Commission, was voted down by the European Parliament.
COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS (EMPL): Employment
" The substantial deregulation of the use of temporary contracts while maintaining stringent rules for permanent ones has led to workers being trapped in temporary jobs, especially affecting the young in times of recession."
- Employment in Europe Report, European Commission
Given that the employment protection reforms adopted in Europe over the last decades have led to the increased volatility and segregation of temporary contractual labour, how can the EU provide a comprehensive solution to labour market segmentation?
COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS (DROI): Western Sahara
"The current wave of protests [the Arab Spring] actually began last November in Western Sahara, which is under Moroccan rule after a brutal invasion and occupation. The Moroccan forces came in, carried outdestroyed tent cities, a lot of killed and wounded and so on. And then it spread."
- Noam Chomsky
The state of human rights in Western Sahara: What measures should the EU take in order to maintain relations with Morocco, yet secure the rights of the Saharawi people?
Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI): Hooliganism
"Most people who attend matches are there for the right reasons in getting behind their team and enjoying the game. Unfortunately there still exists an unpleasant minority of fans whose intention is to cause criminal damage and incite violence."
- Dave Cording, Crimestoppers' Director of Operations
As sports related hooliganism has gained an increasing amount of attention during recent sport history, what actions can be taken to eliminate hooliganism from sporting competitions throughout Europe?
Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (INTA): Social Media
"Facebook has historically been extremely resistant to transparency in its own operations, so we welcome measures that would force the company to obtain express consent of its users."
- Privacy International
"Users are not social networking sites' primary customers, advertisers and marketers are."
- Andrew Charlesworth, University of Bristol.
The Facebook generation: with the increasing importance of social networking in young peoples lives, what stance should the EU take in regards to online companies privacy policies?
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS (AFET): Iran
"Our bigger, long-term concern is the Iranian nuclear program, the danger that poses to the peace of the Middle East and the wider world ... and it is for that reason that we will agree, I hope, today to intensify European Union sanctions on Iran."
- William Hague, UK Foreign Secretary
With the threat of US-Israeli intervention and growing concerns from the international community over Irans nuclear program, European foreign ministers will meet in Brussels on January 23 to discuss sanctions on Iranian oil. How should Europe seek to position itself in this difficult issue in order to ensure peace, stability and security in the region?
CIVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS (LIBE): Immigration Debate
"Is Jimmy Akesson in there? In that case Ill wait outside."
- Lars Ohly, former party chairman of the Swedish Left Party
As a result of the Oslo massacre and far-right-wing parties gaining recent success in European elections, the shrill and often hysterical debate on immigration has intensified. What measures can the EU take to establish the right climate for a reasonable discussion on immigration?
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY (ENVI): Marijuana Policy
"Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself; and where they are, they should be changed. Nowhere is this more clear than in the laws against possession of marijuana in private for personal use."
- Jimmy Carter, Former US President
Marijuana legislation: a protection of citizens or an impingement on individual rights? What stance should the EU take on marijuana in regards to public health and crime?
COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE (SEDE): Military and Defense
"At the current pace of cuts in defense spending, it is hard to see how Europe will be able to sustain operations similar to NATOs mission in Libya."
- Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary-General of NATO
As a result of the economic crisis, European defense budgets have begun a downward trend. How can Europe build a strong continuum of hard and soft power so that it can respond to the full spectrum of crisises and threats, and avoid having the economic crisis degenerate into a security crisis?
The session logotype, session booklet, infosheets and other documents that you will receive before and during the session are all designed by Jonatan Victor , our session designer.
Do not hesitate to contact him if you are interested in his work and service.
www.jonatanvictor.se
Jonatan Victor
shootme_jonatanvictor.se
