Annual Report 2008 - European Youth Parliament

European Youth Parliament 

Annual Report 2008

2 European Youth Parliament - Annual Report 2008 - Website: www.eypej.org

The European Youth Parliament and its entire actions 

are under the permanent patronage 

of 

Prof. Dr. HANS-GERT PÖTTERING 

President of the European Parliament 

Mr TERRY DAVIS 

Secretary General of the Council of Europe 

European Youth Parliament - Annual Report 2008 - Website: www.eypej.org 

3


Contents 

Greetings by the Chairman of the Heinz-Schwarzkopf-Foundation....................................7 

Aims of the European Youth Parliament, Facts & Figures..................................................9 

The long-term Impact of the EYP: The 2008 Survey amongst EYP Alumni......................12 

History and Structure........................................................................................................16 

International Sessions of the European Youth Parliament................................................18 

The 57 th International Session in Prague, Czech Republic......................................20 

The 58 th International Session in Liverpool, United Kingdom.................................22 

The 59 th International Session in Rennes, France...................................................24 

The third Think Tank of the European Youth Parliament.................................................26 

The National Commitees of the European Youth Parliament............................................29 

Institutional Partnerships and Patrons..............................................................................62 

Partners.............................................................................................................................64


Greetings by the Chairman of the Heinz-Schwarzkopf-Foundation 

Dear Friends of the European Youth Parliament, 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

the year 2008 was a successful year for the European Youth Parliament. For the first 

time more than 90 events took place all over Europe and involved close to 20.000 

young people in dialogue, discussion and debate. It was also great to welcome Albania, 

Hungary and Georgia as new National Committees to the network of the EYP 

which now spans 32 countries. In all those countries the EYP enabled young people 

to develop their ideas and visions for the future of Europe in a non-partisan forum. 

At three International Sessions in Prague (Czech Republic), Liverpool (United 

Kingdom), and Rennes (France) the EYP gathered each time 250 young people from 

32 countries. The students drafted resolutions on current topics of European politics 

and debated them in a parliamentary assembly. The students had to formulate 

their opinions on complex issues, find compromises and negotiate in an international 

setting using English or French – languages which are foreign to the vast 

majority of the participants. We are convinced that this experience of intercultural 

cooperation and dialogue that the young participants experience at an EYP Session 

are unique and invaluable. 

The ideas and proposals of the European Youth Parliament are recognised by political 

decision makers. We are proud to announce that in 2008 the Commissioners 

Barroso, Kovács, Wallström and Barrot have joined the EYP’s Comité d’Honneur. 

Vice-President Barrot also visited the session in Rennes to discuss with the young 

delegates; Guy-Michel Brandtner of the Council of Europe, Jean-Pierre Jouyet, 

French Minister for European Affairs and Andy Burnham, British Secretary of State 

for Culture, were among those high-level politicians visiting the EYP sessions. 

I am very pleased by the fact that we have achieved it to engage young Europeans 

actively in the debate of the most pressing political issues of today. We have helped 

them to understand Europe’s diversity and to appreciate it as part of our common 

cultural and political heritage. Europe needs active citizens such as the young delegates 

at the European Youth Parliament who are committed to making a difference 

in the future whilst remaining conscious of its past. 

Finally, I would like to mention that without hundreds of young volunteers working 

for the European Youth Parliament none of the above results could have been achieved. 

The EYP is a project entirely driven and run by young people. We will continue 

our efforts in bringing the European dream to the hearts and minds of young Europeans. 

We thank all partners who have supported and encouraged our work in the 

past year. 

André Schmitz-Schwarzkopf 

Chairman of the Heinz-Schwarzkopf-Foundation


Aims of the European Youth Parliament 

and Facts & Figures 

9 European Youth Youth Parliament - Annual - Annual Report Report 2008 2008 - Website: - Website: www.eypej.org

Aims of the European Youth Parliament 

Raising awareness for European issues 

Promoting active European citizenship 

Fostering intercultural dialogue 

Contributing to personal development 

The European Youth Parliament (EYP) is a non-partisan, independent educational programme for young 

people between 16 and 20 years of age from all over Europe. The work of the EYP is based on the initiative 

of voluntarily active youth. Hence, the EYP has the following aims: 

Opportunities to explore and reflect upon 

political topics with a European dimension 

Active European citizenship 

Diversity of cultures in Europe and intercultural 

dialogue 

Development of skills and competences for 

academia and working life 

The European Youth Parliament is a platform for non-formal education and experimental learning which 

gives the participants an exceptional educational opportunity outside the class room. All the events of the 

European Youth Parliament are organised by volunteers who have been former participants. Hence, the 

European Youth Parliament is a project run for young people by young people in close cooperation and 

partnership with European schools. 

10 European Youth Parliament - Annual Report 2008 - Website: www.eypej.org 

One of the overall aims of the European Youth Parliament 

is to raise awareness of European issues and motivate 

young people to become active citizens engaged in European 

politics. The European Youth Parliament further 

enables students to experience directly the different 

perspectives of young people in Europe and allows them 

to explore the European and global dimension of several 

political issues debated today. 

The European Youth Parliament involves the youngsters in 

a democratic decision making process with all its challenges 

and rewarding experiences. Young people are to 

acquire knowledge on a topic, clarify their own opinion, 

discuss with their peers and finally compromise and debate. 

It thereby contributes to the development of an active 

democratic citizenship. 

The European Youth Parliament promotes international 

understanding and the diversity of ideas and cultural expression. 

The participants are enabled to experience true 

cultural dialogue and learn to appreciate diversity rather 

than being afraid of it. 

By their participation in the activities of the European 

Youth Parliament, the youngsters develop competences 

and skills which can be later applied in other contexts. 

Those skills especially include language skills, the ability to 

work in an international team, negotiations skills as well 

as social and civic competences.

Facts and Figures 

More than 90 events every year 

In 2008, over 90 events took place in Europe organised by the EYP. The largest three of those have been 

the International Sessions in Prague, Liverpool and Rennes which each united more than 250 young 

people. At additional regional and national sessions young people came together to debate current issues 

of European politics. The topics debated and discussed at the EYP’s events are often suggested by Members 

of the European Parliament, the European Commission or the Council of Europe. Moreover, the participants 

themselves decide over their agenda. The resolutions of each session are presented to political 

decision-makers. 

In total, the events and additional activities, such as the large youth survey on European topics conducted 

by EYP France, involved close to 20,000 young people. 

A network spanning 32 countries 

The EYP is now active in 32 European countries. It is a unique platform for young people with diverse 

backgrounds to practise an active dialogue on the future of Europe. Georgia, Hungary and Albania joined 

the EYP in 2008. It is foreseen to enlarge the EYP further, especially in South-East Europe. 

Run by young people 

All EYP events are organised and run by young volunteers – mostly former participants of the EYP 

sessions. Hence, the EYP is an extraordinary place for young people to take the initiative and to practise 

European citizenship. 


11

The Impact of the European 

Youth Parliament 

12 European Youth Youth Parliament - Annual - Annual Report Report 2008 2008 - Website: - Website: www.eypej.org

The Impact of the European Youth Parliament 

The 2008 survey amongst former participants of the EYP 

Each session of the EYP is evaluated. By means of standardised questionnaires we attempt to assess 

the impact our work has on the participants. In 2008, we additionally conducted a survey amongst the 

alumni of the European Youth Parliament. 422 young people from all over Europe responded and hereby 

helped us to understand the long-term impact of the EYP. It shows that the involvement in our events and 

the organisation has for the vast majority a very positive influence on their personal development. The 

results also demonstrate that EYP alumni act as multipliers amongst their peers, in schools and universities. 

European values and identity 

Most of the surveyed alumni stated that, thanks to their EYP experience, they developed a deeper understanding 

of European culture (95,80 %). Furthermore, a majority think that their participation increased 

their belief in a common European history and common values (69,10 %). 

Development of team work and language skills 

These graphics show that surveyed alumni consider 

that EYP helped them to develop crucial skills such 

as international team work skills (94,50 %), negotiating 

skills (88,7 %) and language skills (75,30 %). 

It is clear that those abilities will be transferrable to 

later professional or academic life. 


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Active European citizenship 

A strong majority (86,50 %) of the surveyed alumni stated that the EYP helped them to better understand 

European politics and institutions. A majoroty also declared that their experience increased their interest 

for European matters and to discuss them with friends and family (74,40 %). Most importantly, the EYP 

experience gave them the feeling that they could express themselves and let them feel that they could play 

an active role in shaping the future of Europe (82,40 %). 

A vast majority also acquired concrete ideas of how Europe should develop in the future. Finally, most of 

them wanted to volunteer after their experience (52,40 %). The EYP provides them with an opportunity to 

do so. 


Experience for life: Applying skills in other contexts 

Alumni Quotes: 

A majority of the surveyed alumni (92,90 %) felt 

that what they learned in the EYP could be applied 

in many other contexts. It is remarkable that a 

great number states that this was especially the 

case for other civil society projects as well as in 

school. These results underline that the EYP’s 

impact goes well beyond the individual session. 

As an alumnus put it: “EYP is an excellent way for 

young minds to open themselves and touch issues 

perhaps not dealt with in academic circles as well 

as for developing social skills.” 

“EYP has had a great influence on me, in the aspect of self-development as well in the aspect of understanding 

the current world issues, and European - in particular.” 

“EYP has not only helped my development as an active European citizen, but it has also helped my personal 

development in terms of self-esteem, confidence and outlook on life.” 

“I can’t even imagine what it would be like not having taken part in EYP. My experience in International 

Sessions has totally changed my life for the better. I find that my understanding of others has been raised 

and I face each day with more optimism and a smile on my face looking forward to meeting my European 

friends for one more time.” 


15

History and Structure of the 

European Youth Parliament

The European Youth Parliament 

21 years of existence 

Since November 2004 a programme of the Heinz-Schwarzkopf-Foundation 

The European Youth Parliament: Founded in France in 1987 

The National Committees of the European Youth Parliament exist since 1987. Since that day the project 

provides an unique educational experience to pupils and their teachers in Europe. The EYP focuses on 

young people who are keen on being part of the future Europe by shaping their society. 

A programme of the Heinz-Schwarzkopf-Foundation 

In 2004, the National Committees mandated the Heinz-Schwarzkopf-Foundation with the international 

management of the European Youth Parliament. Since then the international office of the EYP is located 

in Berlin and coordinated by the Executive Director. 

Structure of the European Youth Parliament 

European networking 

At the heart of the EYP structure: the National Committees 

Coordination: The Executive Director and the elected Governing Body 

The European Youth Parliament: a network of 32 national youth NGOs 

Today the European Youth Parliament gathers more than 1000 volunteers and reaches more than 20,000 

pupils, hence forms one of the largest platforms of political debate, intercultural encounters, political 

education and the exchange of ideas within the whole of Europe. The participating countries range from 

Portugal to Russia and from Ireland to Cyprus. In 2008, the countries Albania, Hungary and Georgia 

joined the network. The EYP is a non-political, non-governmental organisation. 

The National Committees: the heart of the European Youth Parliament 

The European Youth Parliament is formed by a network of 32 European associations, so called National 

Committees of the European Youth Parliament. They are independently established NGOs in their respective 

countries (see www.eypej.org). Besides alumni they often also involve teachers in their work to 

ensure a close and good cooperation with national schools. Within the Board of National Committees they 

exchange good practises, share knowledge and organise joint regional events. 

The Executive Director of the European Youth Parliament and the Governing Body 

Besides an Executive Director, appointed by the Heinz-Schwarzkopf-Foundation, who coordinates and 

supports the European Youth Parliament, a Governing Body has been elected by the National Committees. 

The Governing body sets general rules and overall aims in cooperation with the National Committees. It 

acts as an international steering committee. 


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International Sessions 

of the European Youth Parliament

International Sessions of the European Youth Parliament 

Concept of an International Session 

April 2008: 57 th International Session in Prague, Czech Republic 

July 2008: 58 th International Session in Liverpool, United Kingdom 

October/November 2008: 59 th International Session in Rennes, France 

What is an International Session? 

Three times a year, the European Youth Parliament invites 250 youngsters from the 32 member committees 

of the EYP for 10 days to different European cities where a simulation of the European Parliament 

is held - the International Session. The participants have gone through national competitions which 

qualify them to take part in the event. The International Sessions are organised by a team of volunteers of 

the host country which often spends more than a year to prepare the event. 

Programme: Teambuilding, Committee Work and General Assembly 

The programme of each International Session is unique but there are some substantial common elements. 

Upon arrival, the participants, all aged between 16 and 20, are split into 15 international committees 

and spend two days of “Teambuilding” together in order to create a real team. The different indoor and 

outdoor activities allow them to create the spirit and atmosphere for fair and objective political discussion 

in the days to follow. The Teambuilding is followed by Committee Work. Here the young delegates discuss 

current European issues within the committees. In the course of their work, they also interview experts 

on the topics who might be political decision-makers, policy experts or scientists. The product of their 

intensive work is a motion for a resolution. Finally, the resolutions are debated in the General Assembly 

in English and French, following parliamentary procedure. 

The Cultural Programme 

The International Session is accompanied by a very rich cultural programme with, amongst others, the 

presentation of specialities from the participating countries and a “Euroconcert”. Hence, the International 

Sessions seek to provide a space for the expression of creativity and culture. The participants are enabled 

to experience what they have in common and what unites them despite differences. They learn to appreciate 

diversity rather than to fear what might at first appear to be strange. 

The International Sessions in 2008 

The three International Sessions that took place in 2008 will be described in detail on the following 

pages. The first one was held in Prague, Czech Republic in April. The summer session took place 

in the European Capital of Culture at that time, Liverpool, United Kingdom in July. The autumn 

session was hosted by the European Youth Parliament in Rennes, France in October. 


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The 57 th International Session of the EYP 

Prague, Czech Republic 

4 th - 13 th April 2008 

Participants 

231 young people from 29 different European countries came to Prague for the 57 th International 

Session of the EYP. 

Session Focus and Guests 

The focus of the 57 th International Session was put on sustainable development which was 

reflected in the priorities of the topics that were chosen to be discussed. The Session was 

honoured by the presence of Libor Roucek, Member of the European Parliament, Guy-Michel 

Brandtner of the Council of Europe and Diogo Pinto of the European Youth Forum. 

Documents 

The resolutions passed by the young delegates, the full official report of the event as well as media 

coverage can be found online, please visit: www.eypej.org > Sessions > Prague 2008 

Partners 

We thank our partners who made this event possible: 

Public Institutions: The European Commission within the framework of the Lifelong Learning 

Programme, the Information Office of the European Parliament. 

Companies: Alba Group, Duales System Deutschland, Fresh Soft and Our World English Schools. 

Foundations: Hertie Foundation, Dräger Foundation. 

Quotes 

«A once in a lifetime experience», delegate, 17, Belgium 

«It was demanding, but highly rewarding!», 17, Bulgaria 

«Whole Europe can work as a team. Thanks EYP!», 16, Spain 


Implementation and Evaluation - Selected Results 

Raising the students’ awareness for European issues, especially for the future of 

Europe 

73 % of the delegates have become aware of their role in the European construction process and in 

the debate on Europe’s future; 81 % affirmed that their participation in the session had helped them to 

achieve a better understanding of current European political developments. 

Promoting European understanding and intercultural dialogue 

92 % of the participants confirm that the session helped them to improve their knowledge and understanding 

of different cultures. A strong majority of 88 % furthermore affirms that they developed a positive 

attitude towards intercultural dialogue. 

Promoting active democratic citizenship 

77 % of the participants declared that the session has increased their willingness to become and active 

citizen. Furthermore, 91 % will share this experience with friends and fellow students once they are back 

in their home town and will thus be important multipliers for the promotion of active democratic citizenship 

and participation. 


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Liverpool, United Kingdom 

18 th - 27 th July 2008 

Participants 

262 young people from 28 European countries met in Liverpool for the 58 th International Session. 


The 58 th International Session was part of the Liverpool Capital of Culture programme and took place 

during the “European Year of Intercultural Dialogue”. Under the motto “Many faces, different spaces” the 

young delegates were encouraged to explore how culture may divide and unite communities. The participants 

had the opportunity to explore their cultural heritage and that of others on a European scale in 

order to better understand the different spaces, backgrounds and beliefs that lie behind the many faces. 

The EYP was honoured by the presence of several speakers who welcomed EYP to the great City of Liverpool: 

Councillor Steve Rotheram Lord Mayor of Liverpool, (picture), Maria Eagle MP, Edward O´Hara MP, 

Joy Coppell, Liverpool Schools Parliament and Neil Peterson, Liverpool Culture Company. General Assembly 

(GA) was held in St. Georges Hall of Liverpool from Friday 25th to Saturday 26th of July. At the official 

opening of GA, the young delegates were addressed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 

Rt. Hon. Andy Burnham MP and Professor Mike Hardy of the British Council. 

Documents 

The resolutions passed by the young delegates, the full official report of the event as well as media coverage 

can be found online, please visit: www.eypej.org > Sessions > Liverpool 2008 

Partners 

Public Institutions: The European Parliament, the Council of Europe, Liverpool Culture Company, Liverpool 

City Council, the North West Regional Assembly, the Government Office for the North West, St. Helens 

Council Liverpool Schools’ Parliament and Rainhill High School. 

Companies: Alba Group, Duales System Deutschland, Our World English Schools, Merseytravel, October 

Communications, Ariel Trust, The Co-Operative Group Northern Region, Culture Northwest, Liverpool 

Hope University and The Liner Hotel. 

Foundations: Hertie Foundation and the Dräger Foundation. 

Quotes 

«An experience that changed me so much and that I will treasure a lot!»,17, Ireland 

«An unforgettable 10 days which makes me want to get more involved!», 18, Great Britain 



Raising the students’ awareness for European issues, especially for the future of 

Europe 

85 % of the delegates have affirmed that their participation in the session had helped them to achieve a 

better understanding of current European political developments. 



of different cultures. A strong majority of 90 % affirms that the event have moreover learned to 

appreciate European diversity. 


81 % of the participants declared that the session has increased their willingness to become and active citizen. 

Further 96 % intend to share this experience with friends and fellow students once they are back in 

their home town and will thus be important multipliers for the promotion of active democratic citizenship 

and participation. 


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Rennes, France 

24 th October - 2 nd November 2008 

Participants 

The Session gathered more than 248 young people from 27 European countries. Under the motto “Living 

your European Citizenship” the young delegates were encouraged to explore the meanings of being a 

European citizen. The session was under the patronage of the President of France, Mr Nicolas Sarkozy. 


The Session was part of the official programme of the French Presidency of the EU and took place during 

the “European Year of Intercultural Dialogue”. The event was honoured by the presence of J. Barrot, 

Vice-president of the Eur. Commission, X. Darcos, French Minister of Education, V. Pecresse Minister for 

Higher Education and Research, J-P Jouyet, French Secretary of State for European Affairs, J-Y Le Drian, 

President of the Brittany Regional Council, J-L Tourenne, President of the Ille-et-Vilaine Council, D. De 

Laveau, Mayor of Rennes as well as R. Lefrancois, M-H Aubert and A. Guelles, Members of the European 

Parliament. 

Documents 

The resolutions passed by the young delegates, the full official report of the event as well as media coverage 

can be found online, please visit: www.eypej.org > Sessions >Rennes 2008. 

Partners 

Public Institutions: European Parliament, French Foreign and European Affairs Ministry, French Ministry 

for Health, Youth and Sport, the French Education Ministry, French Ministry for Higher Education and 

Research, Rennes Métropole, City of Rennes, Région Bretagne, Conseil Général d´Ille-et-Vilaine, Conseil 

Général des Côtes d’Armor, Institut d´Etudes Politiques de Rennes and the Champs Libres and the IUT de 

Rennes. 

Companies: AJP, Alba Group, ArcelorMittal, Deutsche Telekom, Duales System Deutschland, Milonga 

Music and Veolia Environement. 

Foundations: Breuniger Fondation, Dräger-Foundation, Freudenberg Foundation, Hertie Foundation and 

Hippocrene Fondation. 

Local Cooperation partners: Locarn Institute, Rotary International, AJP 35, Bret’s, Biscuiterie Le Dréan 

and Gavottes Loc Maria. 

Quotes 

«I believe that this session made me understand better how real citizen of Europe should act.», 16, Romania 

«The best chance for young people to feel part of the EU.», 16, Spain 



Raising the students’ awareness for European issues, especially for the future 

of Europe 

88 % of the delegates have affirmed that their participation in the session had helped them to achieve a 

better understanding of current European political developments. Furthermore, two thirds of the delegates 

intend to found an initiative for the promotion of European issues in their school or city. 



of different cultures. A strong majority of 87 % affirms that intercultural dialogue, European co-operation 

and equal opportunities for all had been not only promoted, but also lived throughout the session. 


79 % of the participants declared that the session has increased their willingness to become and active 

citizen. Furthermore, 99 % intend to share this experience with friends and fellow students once they are 

back in their home town and will thus be important multipliers for the promotion of active democratic 

citizenship and participation. 


25

The third Think Tank 


The 3 rd Think Tank of the 


Berlin, December 5 th – 7 th , 2008 

The Think Tank once a year engages alumni of the EYP from all over Europe in the drafting of concrete 

policy proposals for European decision-makers. In its first year 2006, the Think Tank drafted its suggestions 

for the “Berlin Declaration” six months prior to the actual draft and presented it in a public event to 

President Barroso. 

In 2007, we developed recommendations for Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner who welcomed the EYP’s 

input on the future of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) in the MEDA region. This year we 

addressed the future of the EU’s external trade policy for Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton and 

worked directly for the Commissioner’s cabinet on the question, “How can the trade regime between the 

European Union and the Least Developed Countries (LDC) contribute to a sustainable development of the 

latter and appeal to both parties?”. 

The Participants 

The 3rd Think Tank involved 24 EYP Alumni who had been selected by a jury composed of university 

professors and policy experts. All participants were aged between 22 and 29 and came from 19 different 

countries. The group was marked by an extraordinary diversity and included students, employees of 

national governments, private companies or NGOs. 

After an interesting introduction to the European Trade Policy by Renate Nikolay, Member of the Cabinet 

of Commissioner Catherine Ashton, the Think Tank developed a set of recommendations and policy 

papers for the European Commissioner. 

Results 

The outcomes of the intensive work on pressing questions regarding the ENP were presented on Sunday. 

These policy papers were given to Commissioner Catherine Ashton, Members of the European Parliament 

as well as other stakeholders in this topic area. The full policy papers can be obtained from www.eypej. 

org > Think Tank > Policy Papers. 


27


The National Committees 


European Youth Parliament Albania 

The National Committee of the European 

Youth Parliament in Albania 

The National Committee of EYP Albania just recently became part of the EYP 

network. It was founded in 2008 after its application to become a full member. 

Its main activities are the National Selection Conference, meetings and seminars. 

Through its activities EYP Albania reaches so far 50-100 high school students and 

teachers each year. 

Activities in 2008 

From July 21 - 24 EYP Albania organized the 1st National Selection Conference 

in Tirana with the participation of 6 Educational Institutions. 

Number of participants: 

50 from Albania, Croatia, Greece, Czech Republic and France 

Partners: 

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung 

European University of Tirana 


Contact 

EYP Albania 

Rr. Sitki Cico, 

P.4/1 ap.96, Tirana 

Albania 

Phone: +355 68 33 200 97 

Email: offin.eypalbania@ 

gmail.com

European Youth Parliament Austria 


Youth Parliament in Austria 

Created in 2000, the National Committee of the EYP in Austria organises meetings 

for alumni, general meetings and a national selection session each year. Through 

these events and their preparation phase, EYP Austria reaches approximately 15 

to 20 high schools. 


National Selection Conference Villach 

2008 

The 2008 Session was held in the 

southern city of Villach. The delegates 

were pre-selected through an essay 

competition. 50 delegates from 10 different 

Austrian schools came together 

and participated in a three day session. 

Patrons and Guests: 

Hubert Pirker, MEP 

Helmut Manzenreiter, Mayor of Villach 

Other Events in 2008 

EYP on Ski Official Training March 12 

-13 2008 

Contact 

EYP Austria 

c/o Julia Werner 

Alserstrasse 48/12 

1090 Vienna 

Phone: +436509240387 

(Contact Person: Tanja 

Weissensteiner) 

Email: info@eyp.at 

Homepage: www.eyp.at 


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European Youth Parliament Belgium 


Youth Parliament in Belgium 

Because of the EYP aim to promote the EU among as many young people as possible 

in a valuable and challenging way, we are a strongly school-linked project. 

As such, the NC EYP-EUROPOLIS Belgium is a non-profit organisation, organising 

3 full sessions a year in the European Parliament in Brussels for 17 years now, in 

co-operation with the Information Bureau of the EP in Brussels. Alumni and an 

elected board work together in order to ensure the sustainable existence and the 

necessary renewal of the original EYP project. 


The 14th National Selection Conference 

of EYP Belgium in Brussels 

took place from February 26 - 29. 12 

schools took part. The first day all teams 

did teambuilding and committee work in 

preparation of the panel debate on the 

last day. In the evening a splendid Belgian 

Evening was organised with specialities 

from all regions in Belgium. All 

schools were interviewed by the jury. On 

the last two days General Assembly was 

organised in the European Parliament in 

Brussels. The session was closed with a 

panel debate with two Belgian MEPs. 


100 participants, 20 teachers, 8 chairs, 5 

jury members, 8 organisers 

Patrons: Belgian MEPs Jean-Luc Dehaene, 

Alain Hutchinson, Annemie Neyts, 

Bart Staes, Giovanna Corda and Ivo Belet 


EUROPOLIS I , 14th-15th of 

February 2008, Brussels 

150 Belgian participants from Flanders, 

Wallonia and Brussels took part 

in this session at the European Parliament. 

All debates were done in our 

three national languages. Student-interpreters 

made sure everything was 

translated. 

EUROPOLIS II, March 6 -7, Brussels 

The preparations for the 61st International 

Session Leuven2009 have 

started. It will take place from the 16th 

to the 26th of July 2009 in Herbeumont 

(Wallonia), Leuven (Flanders) and 

Brussels. 

- We started the year 2007-2008 with 

an organisers’ weekend in Gent, where 

we invited all new organisers. During 

the weekend we had several trainings 

and of course a lot of teambuilding activities. 

The next organisers’ weekend 

is planned for July 2008. 


Contact 


in Belgium 

EYP-EUROPOLIS, vzw 

EUfrasie 

Contact person: 

Lot Debruyne 

Vaderlandstraat 31 

B-9000 Gent 

Phone: +32 497 546 300 

Fax: +32 9 222 01 48 

Email: lot.debruyne@eypeuropolis.be 

http://www.eyp-europolis. 

be

European Youth Parliament-Belarus 


Youth Parliament in Belarus 

Belarusian participation in EYP began in 1998, and in 1999 a delegation of Belarus 

youths attended an EYP International Session for the first time. EYP is now active 

in 7 cities of Belarus, each of which has a local organisational group. All attempts 

to obtain official registration as a Belarus NGO failed in the period 2002 – 2004. 

EYP is therefore considered as an NGO development activity. The absence of legal 

registration means there is no State assistance available, and thus no official access 

to School or University facilities. Annually there are three national sessions, of 

which one is now held in the Summer in Ukraine. An elected National Committee 

manages all events including selection for International Sessions. In 2008 over 200 

Belarus youths experienced an EYP session of at least 3 days duration. The majority 

of these sessions were held as regional activities outside Belarus in partnership 

with the neighbouring countries of Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Ukraine. Up to 35 

Belarus youths attend each of these regional sessions. In Belarus EYP acts as one 

of the few coordinated youth activities which is independent of State direction. It is 

a leading contributor to the development of civil society and pluralist democracy in 

Belarus 


Vitsebsk, Belarus Micro-National 

Session 

March 1 - 2; 

Number of Participants: 20 

Aim: to provide EYPers from the 

Northern region of Belarus with EYP 

experience. 

Baranavichy, Belarus National 

Session 

April 5 - 6; 

Number of Participants: about 35 

Polatsk, Belarus Mini-National 

Session 

October 4 - 5 


Other events in 2008 

NC and City representatives 

meeting and training 

Minsk, Belarus 

May 25; Number of Participants: 15 

Aims: to strengthen local groups in 

all the regions, to establish new EYP 

development strategy, to train in new 

comers searching and EYP presenting, 

to get acquainted with problems 

connected with relations with 

KGB (Committee on State Security) 

and other official institutions. 

Contact 

EYP-Belarus 

National Coordinator 

c/o Dr Alan Flowers 

Kingston University 

KT1 2EE, UK 

Kingston-upon-Thames 

A.Flowers@kingston.ac.uk 

Phone +44 208 547 2000 

EYP-Belarus 

The National Committee 

http://eypby.org 

eypbelarus@gmail.com 

Chairman of the NC (till 

Feb’09) 

Yauhen Yakimenka 

jjauhien@gmail.com 

Mobile +375 29 558 04 78 


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Evropeiski Mladejki Parlament - Bulgaria 


Youth Parliament in Bulgaria 

In 2003 Bulgaria was welcomed to join the family of countries represented in the 

European Youth Parliament. The first Bulgarian delegation participated at the 45th 

International Session of the EYP in Durham/Newcastle, UK, 24th March - 4th April 

2004. 

The Bulgarian Committee of the European Youth Parliament was officially registered 

as a non-profit organisation in Bulgaria in 2004. All those who are involved in 

the running of the Bulgarian National Committee do so voluntarily, with the help 

of EYP alumni, teachers, and other interested people. Our aim is to give the new 

generation the chance to understand what EYP is about. One way to do this is by 

selecting delegations from distinguished and enthusiastic students to represent Bulgaria 

at the International sessions of the EYP. With this aim each year EYP – Bulgaria 

organizes its own National Selection Sessions. 


Third National Selection Conference 

August 8 - 11 in Sofia, with the motto 

“Explore the colourful Europe”. Around 

60 students from all over the country 

(Sofia, Rousse, Bourgas, Varna, Dimitrovgrad, 

Kazanlak, Shabla) took part in the 

event, competing for a place in the 

delegations that EYP – Bulgaria is sending 

to the International Sessions in 2008 

and 2009 and other events on national 

and regional level. For the first time there 

was a strong presence of international 

guests from Romania, Turkey, Serbia, 

Portugal, Croatia and Austria. 


The first EYP Bulgaria Chair/ 

Journo Training Session “ENJOY 

US” (Experienced N’ Junior Official 

Youth United in Sofia) - took place 

May 9 - 11 in the beautiful National 

Park of Vitosha just outside the capital 

of Bulgaria – Sofia. The purpose of the 

training was to help EYP BG alumni 

prepare for their future positions of 

officials on National EYP Conferences 

and other EYP events. Apart from the 

EYP Bulgaria trainees there were 

international participants attending 

the event with the aim of learning 

something more from their experienced 

EYP colleagues. 

EYP Bulgaria and Friends Spring 

Ball May 11, Sofia 

EYP Bulgaria National Student Essay 

Contest – January 2008 – on the topic 

“50 Years have passed with the EU. 

What do you expect from the Union 

in the next half a century? ”, followed 

by an interview. The aim was to select 

delegations for various EYP events. 


Contact 

Evropeiski Mladejki Parlament 

– Bulgaria 

Address: 12A Vrabcha str., 

Sofia 1000, Bulgaria 

tel/fax. +359 878 87 07 78 

e-mail: eyp@eypbulgaria. 

org web: www.eypbulgaria.org

Europski parlament mladih Hrvatske 

European Youth Parliament Croatia 

The European Youth Parliament is officially present in Croatia since 1994. Subject 

to available funds, the EYP Croatia organises one to two national selection conferences 

per year. The average outreach of EYP Croatia’s events levels out at approximately 

150 pupils per year. 


21st National Selection Conference in Rijeka 

The session took place from October 10 - 12. The aim of the session was to 

select the delegations for the upcoming international and regional events and to 

involve more schools and students in the work of EYP Croatia. 

The topics of the session were based on the main theme- intercultural dialogue, 

with 2008 being the European year of Intercultural Dialogue. 

Number of participants: 90 

Partners and Guests: 

The main partner was the City of Rijeka, primarily the Board of Education of the 

city of Rijeka. Other partners were the elementary school of “Pećine” an the youth 

organisation “Korak ispred”. The session was visited by Mrs. Romana Jerković, 

vice major of Rijeka and a member of Parliament. Other guests included members 

of the Slovenian Youth network that wanted to observe the methodology of an EYP 

session. 

Contact 

Europski parlament mladih 

Hrvatske 

Donje Svetice 45 

HR - 10 000 Zagreb 

Phone: +385 91 564 7072 

/ +385 91 524 7663 

Email: eypc@net.hr/upravni@eyp.hr 

Homepage: www.eyp.hr 


35

European Youth Parliament Cyprus 

The National Committee of the European Youth 

Parliament in Cyprus 


In 2008, 360 people in total were involved in EYP Cyprus activities. Of these individuals, 

160 participated in our 4-day national session that took place in the first week 

of September. More than 15 experienced international alumni from various European 

countries such as Greece, Italy, Lativa, Sweden, the United Kingdom and many more 

took part in the session as of chairs, journalists and jury members. In December 

2008, EYP Cyprus held its second annual Christmas Party in Limassol, where alumni 

members are invited to vote in the elections for the new committee and socialise with 

old and new friends. 

Quote: «The EYP brought out many interests that had been dormant within me, including 

that of formal cooperation in the form of committees, open debate on current 

affairs, public speaking and civilized discussion for the achievement of compromises 

and solutions.» George Charalambous, 2nd National Session delegate 


Contact 

EYP Cyprus - ΕΚN 

ΚΥΠΡΟΥ 

9A Miltiadous Street, 

2333 Lakatamia, 

Nicosia, Cyprus 

Contact: Nassos Stylianou 

00447515029511 

eypcyprus@yahoo.com

European Youth Parliament Czech Republic 


Youth Parliament in the Czech Republic 

The NGO “European Youth Parliament Czech Republic” was officially founded in 

1998 – although EYP activities were already organised since 1991. 

EYP Czech Republic traditionally organises a 3 day National Selection Conference 

where two school delegations are selected to represent Czech Republic at international 

sessions. Increasingly it also selects two/three other school delegations and a 

number of individuals who are given opportunity to participate in regional events 

organised by other NCs. Prior to the National Selection Conference there are smaller 

pre-selection rounds, which currently takes form of one day of GA. EYP CZ also 

organises a Czech Forum annually – a conference with a similar structure to the 

National Selection Conference but without selection and the only official language is 

Czech. Further EYP CZ organised International Sessions in Praha (April 2003 and 

April 2008) and Tábor (August 2004). 

Thanks to the selection process for the participation to the regional and national 

events, EYP CZ reaches yearly around 250 pupils. 


National Selection Conference 

Jihlava, November 22 - 25 


Patrons and Guests: Paed Dr. Alena 

Gajdůjšková, Vice-President of the Senate 

of the Parliament of the Czech Republic; 

RNDr. Miloš Vystrčil, Governor of the 

Vysočina Region 

Partners: Vysočina Region, City of Jihlava, 

Information office of the European 

Parliament, Jihlava Public Transport 

Company, Secondary School Jihlava, VSP 

Data, MSoft, Lahůdky Barták 


5th Czech Forum Písek, November 

28 - 30 


Patrons and Guests: PhDr. Jana 

Hybášková, MEP 

Partners: Region of South Bohemia, 

City of Písek, Information office of the 

European Parliament, Evropa Mladýma 

Očima (programme of Ministry of Education, 

Youth and Sports), Secondary 

School Písek 

Contact 

Evropský parlament 

mládeže v ČR 

Opletalova 9 

CZ - 110 00 Praha 1 

Email: eyp@eyp.cz , 

Homepage: 

http://www.eyp.cz 


37

MTÜ Tegusad Eesti Noored 


Youth Parliament in Estonia 

Tegusad Eesti Noored (TEN) is a youth association created and managed by young 

people, whose main goal is to raise interest and awareness in societal affairs, while 

not having political affiliations. TEN was created as an NGO in Tallinn in 2001, but 

today our events take place all over Estonia. Our membership has grown to more 

than 240 people between ages 14 – 25. We emphasise European values, tolerance, 

cooperation and constructive debate between different world views. We participate 

in the creation of a strong and functioning civil society, which is the basis of democratic, 

free and successful development of Estonia. To achieve our goals we organise 

diverse educational events, in which we wish to include as many young people 

as possible. We are founding members of the Estonian National Youth Council and 

actively cooperate with other youth organisations. We gain experience by participating 

in international youth cooperation projects such as the European Youth Parliament. 

EYP Estonia 9th National session 

took place in Tartu October 25 - 28. 

The session motto was Dare to care! 

History starts now! and dealt with issues 

of human rights and their violation and 

protection, because 2008 was the 60th 

anniversary of the Universal Declaration 

of Human Rights. The patron of the 

session was Estonian Chancellor of 

Justice. 


Partners: Open Estonian Foundation, 

State Chancellery, University of Tartu, 

Human Right Centre, Coca Cola 

Regional session in Russian was 

held in Kohtla-Järve October 3 - 5 

with approx. 80 Russian-speaking 

delegates and officials. Session got an 

highly positive evaluation both from delegates 

and organisers. Russian session 

was also positively covered in Estonian 

media, because of it’s high integrational 

value. Event was sponsored by Europan 

Youth Programme and SEB 

Bank. 

Active Estonian Youth also organised 

on May 13 park-cleaning initiative 

together with physically disabled 

youth in three biggest cities in Estonia- 

Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu. The aim was 

both to clean the parks and better 

integrate physically disabled youth into 

society. The event was patronaged by 

the vice-speaker of the Estonian Parliament 

Jüri Rattas. 


Contact 

MTÜ Tegusad Eesti 

Noored 

Toompuiestee 17a 

10143 Tallinn. 

Phone: +372 5645 6405 / 

Homepage: www.ten.ee 

Email: info@ten.ee, eric. 

katskowski@ten.ee, mariliis.orav@ten.ee

EYP Finland ry 


Youth Parliament in Finland 

EYP has worked in Finland for almost 15 years. Current registered organisation 

EYP-Finland ry was officially established only in 2001 – although two International 

Sessions were already organised in Finland in 1996 and 1999. The National 

Committee organises a National Session once a year and the Regional Committees 

(in Helsinki, Turku and Tampere at the moment) organise regional sessions. EYP- 

Finland ry also seeks to offer its members trainings on the topics of journo / chair 

/ EYP in general. In addition the Parliament Simulation Programme of EYP Finland 

reaches out to schools with EYP-related materials. Yearly EYP in Finland reaches 

more than 300 Finnish pupils through its broad range of activities. 


EYP Finland ry and it’s Regional 

Committees organised three 

sessions in October 2008: 

Tampere’08, October 3 – 5 

Espoo’08, October 17 – 19 

Turku’08, October 24 – 26 


Each session gathered around 120 

participants including international 

delegates and officials. 


Mr Ville Itälä, Member of the European 

Parliament 

Mr Stefan Wallin, Finnish Minister for 

Culture, Sport and Youth 


Winter Days, Helsinki 

(January 18 – 19) 

Journalist training, Helsinki 

(June 16 - 18) 

Summer Days, Helsinki 

(July 31) 

Chair training, Espoo 

(September 11 - 14) 

Annual Ball, Helsinki 

(November 8) 

EYP Finland Christmas Celebrations 

(December 13) 

Additionally many EYP Cafés were 

organised in Helsinki, Espoo, Turku 

and Tampere. The board of EYP Finland 

and the boards of the regional committees 

have also met regularly 

throughout the year. 

Contact 

EYP-Finland ry 

(Office) 

Tehtaankatu 26 B 44 

00150 Helsinki 

Phone: 

+358-40-847-8688 

Email: eyp@eypfinland.org 

/ krista.simberg@eypfinland.org 

Homepage: www.eypfinland.org 


39

Le Parlement Européen des Jeunes France 


Youth Parliament in France 

The European Youth Parliament is present in France since the very beginning – 

1987. The current French Committee was though officially registered as an association 

in 1994. The French branch of the EYP organises each year two selection 

conferences, one European forum, many regional sessions, one survey for young 

people, trainings for its members, series of debates, lectures, exhibitions and 

meetings. In 2008, the French Committee of the EYP reached directly more than 

30.000 youngsters. 


EYP France was one of the main 

partners of the Foreign Affairs 

Ministry in organizing the event 

“Paroles d’Européens”. This event 

gathered more than 500 youth people 

in Nantes. The chairpersons that 

helped them during the weekend were 

selected and trained by EYP France. 

After a day of debates, the participants 

debated of their propositions 

with Jean-Pierre Jouyet, the French 

Secretary of State in charge of European 

Affairs, as well as Felipe Gonzales, 

former Spanish Chief of Government 

and Vaira Vike-Freiberga former 

President of Latvia. At the end of the 

weekend, the participants gave to the 

officials a list with 12 concrete proposals 

for Europe in 2020. 


24th National Session in Seyssinet- 

Pariset 

Regional session in Vitry le François 

“Europe Day” - Events all over 

France, more than 10.000 partici 

pants 

Local session in Paris 

Picnic for the French Presidency of 

the EU in Paris 

European Forum in Fontainebleau 

Regional Session in Saint Nazaire 

and La Baule 

International Session in Rennes 

Regional Session in Château Thierry 

Regional Session in Tours 

Regional Session in Paris 


Contact 

Parlement Européen des 

Jeunes - France 

48, rue du Richelieu 

75001 Paris 

Phone: +33 142 60 47 08 / 

fax: +33 147 03 39 03 

Email: 

info@pejfrance.org 

Homepage : www.pejfrance.org

ევროპის ახალგაზრდული პარლამენტი 


Youth Parliament in Georgia 

After a first initiative was launched in 2007, EYP Georgia is fully part of the EYP 

network since 2008. So far 3 members attended International Sessions as delegates. 

EYP Georgia has organised 2 National Sessions and 2 mini sessions, in total, 

involving more than 150 students throughout Georgia. All activities carried out 

by EYP Georgia have been covered by public TVs and new agencies. EYP Georgia 

maintains strong cooperation with Tbilisi State University and recently signed memorandum 

of understanding with public school 51, Tbilisi. EYP Georgia is a major 

platform for young people to discuss and debate European issues. 


Most important event of 2008 were 

EYP Georgia II National Session 

21-22 June at Tbilisi State University. 



Gia Khubua (Tbilisi State University Rector) 

and Tornike Khutsishvili 

(Heard of Tbilisi Mayors Youth Department) 

Partners: French Ministry of Foreign 

Affairs, City of Nantes, University of 

Nantes. 


24-25 May - Mini Session ( Batumi 

State University); 

22 June – EYP Georgia NC Election 

(Tbilisi State University); 

19-23 Aug. – Regional Session 

(Gori). Was cancelled because of 

war; 

18-19 Oct. - Mini Session ( Tbilisi 

51th Public School); 

Planned: 20-21 Dec. – Mini Session 

(Rustavi). 

Contact 

ევროპის ახალგაზრდული 

პარლამენტი, 

EYP Georgia 

Melikishvili avenue #2, 

0179, Tbilisi, Georgia 

Contact: Mr. Vakhtang 

Lomjaria 

eyp.georgia@gmail.com, 

vlomjaria@gmail.com 


41

Europäisches Jugendparlament in Deutschland e.V. 

The National Committee of the European Youth Parliament 

in Germany 

The National Committee of the EYP in Germany was established in 1990. Every 

year, EYP Germany organises one National Selection Conference and several international 

forums. It also participates in other youth events and festivals. Thanks to 

the selection process for the participation in the National Selection Conferences, 

the EYP Germany involves around 900 participants all over the country every year. 


Date: May 28 – June 1 

Place: Frankfurt am Main (a.M.) 

Motto: Coining Europe 

Participants: 106 pupils (16-18 yrs old), 48 

officials of mixed nationalities, 12 teachers, 5 

observers from Uganda 

Patron: Mr. Karlheinz Bührmann, President of 

the City Parliament of Frankfurt a. M. 

Guests of the Panel Discussion: Dr. Udo Bullmann, 

MEP; Prof. Dr. Gunther Hellmann, University 

of Frankfurt a.M.; Volker Holtfrerich, 

federal association of the German energy and 

water business (BDEW); Holger Weinert, radio 

station “Hessischer Rundfunk” as moderator 

Other Guests: Thomas Mann, MEP; Dr. Stefan 

Mai, Deutsche Börse Group 

Partners: Representation of the European Commission 

in Germany; vbw – Vereinigung der 

Bayerischen Wirtschaft; Deutsche Börse Group 

Verkehrsgesellschaft Frankfurt a.M.; Land Hessen; 

AXA – Versicherung 


International Forum in 

Hamburg (March 27- 30) 


Erfurt (April 24 -27) 

International Forum in Bad 

Urach (September 18 -21) 


Aachen (Oct. 30 - 2 Nov.) 


Contact 

Europäisches Jugendparlament 

in Deutschland e.V. 

Sophienstraße 28-29 

10178 Berlin 

Phone: +49 3028095155, 

Fax: + 49 3028095150 

Email: info@eyp.de 

Homepage : 

www.eyp.de

Europaiko Koinovoulio Newn Ellados 


Youth Parliament in Greece 

E.Y.P. Greece National Committee is a non governmental, non profit organization, 

in cooperation with the European Youth Parliament, authorized on the selection 

of the Greek representatives attending the International Sessions of the European 

Youth Parliament. EYP Greece was founded in 1992 and it consists of the National 

Alumni Organisation. It holds two National Selection Conferences annually, one in 

Thessaloniki and one in Athens, gathering around 350 school student participants. 

EYP Greece also organizes forums on EU related topics and workshops on matters 

of general public interest. 


17th National Selection conference in 

Athens April 12 – 14 , Athens, Greece 

Number of participants: 96 delegates, 25 

chairs, 22 journalists, 5 organisers, 5 jury 

members, total: 153 

Patrons and Guests: Office for the European 

Parliament in Greece, The electronic magazine 

of the Ministry of Education e-emphasis18th 

National Selection Conference in 

Thessaloniki December 5 – 7, Thessaloniki, 

Greece: Number of participants: 117 

delegates, 20 chairs, 13 journalists, 17 

organisers, 5 jury members, total: 172 

Patrons and Guests: Prefecture of Thessaloniki, 

Office for the European Parliament 

in Greece 

Regional Summer Session of Kavala 

July 31 – August 5, Kavala, Greece 

Number of participants: 110 delegates, 

19 chairs, 19 journalists, 21 organisers, , 

total: 169; Patrons and Guests: Municipality 

of Kavala, Organisation for the Kavala 

Harbour, Prefecture of Kavala, Extended 

Prefecture of Kavala – Drama – Xanthi, Mr. 

Margaritis Schoinas (Greek MEP) 


EYPACTion 2008 

February 22 – 24, Thessaloniki, 

Greece. 47 students of International 

Relations and Political Sciences 

gathered in the American College 

of Thessaloniki in order to discuss 

about hot European affairs. 

Discussion with Mr. Joseph Daul 

10 October 2008, Thessaloniki, 

Greece. Mr. Joseph Daul, French 

MEP and Chairman of the EPP-ED 

Group in the European Parliament 

discussed with members of EYP 

Greece on matters that the European 

YouthModel. 

European Parliament in the 7th 

Thessaloniki International 

Student Model United Nations 

April 30 – May 4, Thessaloniki, 

Greece. For the 1st time we simulated 

the processes of the European 

Parliament in Thessis MUN with 

great success. 

3rd EYP Greece´s Officials 

Training Weekend November 

8 - 9, Ag.Nikolaos, Chalkidiki, 

Greece. 40 members of EYP Greece 

gathered in order to gain experience 

as far as organising and chairing are 

concerned. 

Contact 

Eurwpaiko Koinovoulio 

Newn Ellados 


Greece 

Chilis 46, PC: 55132, 

Thessaloniki, Greece 

email: eyp.greece@gmail. 

com 

tel: +30 6932444278, 

+30 2310454120 


43


Youth Parliament in Hungary 

The first movements of the establishment of EYP NC in Hungary went through the 

year 2006. The initiative has been started by two high school students, who found 

reliable partners in the Pillar Foundation from Budapest. Fulfilling the criteria the 

Initiative has been given the right to be a fully recognised National Committee in 

the spring of 2008. 

The National Committee of EYP Hungary nowdays has around 50 members, 

mostly the former National Session delegates. During the year 2008 more than 20 

people could take part in EYP events all over Europe. 


Training Course on Project Management 

Skills March 24 - 27, Tata 

The 4 day long TC had double aim. First 

of all to give general organisational skills 

to the most active EYP members, besides 

preparing the participants for the forthcoming 

events, Number of Participants: 

20 

EYP Spring Events: through April 

- May 2008, 7 different locations in 

Hungary 

The event series served as the direct 

continuation of the TC organised in the 

end of March. Those 20 people, who 

got involved in the TC, had the task to 

organise different EYP programmes, 

discussions and lectures, but also high 

school competitions. The topics of these 

events were mostly linked to the topics 

negotiated by EYP Hungary, such as the 

European and Hungarian election systems, 

communication skill development, 

environmental protection, public security, 

public health and the possibilities of studies 

and work in the EU. 

Number of Participants: 20 organisers, 

(permanent members of EYP). 

Number of the people who have been 

concerned during the programmes directly 

and indirectly, as audience or temporary 

participants all together: around 

800 people.Patrons and Guests: 

Mr László Lóth, Dr: (Eötvös Loránd University) 

Mr László Vasa, Dr: 

(Szent István University) 


Europe Day: May 9, Budapest 

The Europe Day brought an excellent 

opportunity to introduce EYP 

Hungary to the civic society, as we 

were allowed to organise a small exhibition 

and an informational tent as a 

part of the centrally organised events 

of the European Union’s institutions. 


Contact 


of Hungary 

20 Kurcsatov Street, Paks 

7030 Hungary 

+36 30 438 12 31 

+36 1 201 90 98 

igazgato@pillar.hu 

eyphungary@gmail.com

European Youth Parliament Ireland 


Youth Parliament in Ireland 

EYP Ireland has been in existence for over 10 years. Since its foundation it has 

organised dozens of weekend-long sessions for secondary school students across 

Ireland, promoting awareness of European issues among young people. 

Last year, the European Youth Parliament Ireland reached over to 650 youngsters. 

This included running interactive workshops in schools on the theme of ‘Youth 

Involvement in European Affairs’ based around the period of reflection on the EU’s 

future. 


National Selection Conference of 

EYP Ireland 

Location: Alexandra College 

Address: Milltown, Dublin 6 

March 14 – 16 

Session President: Mr. Andrew Byrne 

Guest Speaker: Mr. Martin Territt, 

Director of the European Commission 

Representation in Ireland 


Munster Regional Conference 

Christian Brother’s School Cork 

January 25 – 27 

Chairs Training Weekend 

Jury’s Hotel, Irish Financial Services 

Centre, Dublin 

February 9 – 10 

Connacht/Ulster Regional Conference, 

National University of 

Ireland Galway, Galway 

February 22 – 24 

Leinster Regional Conference 

St. Colmcille’s Secondary School, 

Knocklyon, Dublin 

November 28 – 30 

Contact 


(Ireland) Limited 

6. Merrion Square, 

Dublin 2. 

Telephone: +353 1 662 

5815/ Fax: +353 1 662 

5817 

Email: info@eypireland. 

com ciaran.gallagher@ 

eypireland.com 


45

Associazione Parlamento Europeo Giovani 


Youth Parliament in Italy 

Created in 1994, the Associazione Parlamento Europeo Giovani is the Italian 

branch of the EYP in Italy. Very active and dynamic, it has already organised 21 

annual National Selection Conferences and the 50th anniversary International 

Session of the EYP in Bari. The National Committee is also organising trainings for 

chairs and journalists. EYP Italy reaches appreciatively 500-600 participants each 

year thanks to all its activities and to the selection process for the participation to 

the National Selection Conferences. 


20th National Selection Conference: 

Leghorn, March 27 - 30. 

The aim of the event was to select the 

school which represented Italy at the 

59th International Session of EYP in 

Rennes. The school second classified 

took part in the Bad Urach Forum of EYP 

Germany. For the first time EYP Italy 

organised the Committee Work during 

which the delegates debated in groups on 

a common topic that was also discussed 

in GA. Number of participants: 138 

Patrons: Under the High Patronage of 

the President of the Italian Republic - On. 

Giorgio Napolitano; Guests: Alessandro 

Cosim - Major of Leghorn; Giovanna Colombini 

- Councillor of the Municipality 

of Leghorn for University and Research; 

Partners: Municipality of Leghorn; 

1st National Selection Conference: 

Bologna, April 20 - 23 

The aim of the event was to select the 

school which will represent Italy at the 

60th International Session of EYP in 

Stockholm. The second school qualified 

took part in the Aachen Forum of EYP 

Germany. Number of participants: 142 

Patrons: Under the High Patronage of 

the President of the Italian Republic - 

On. Giorgio Napolitano; Sergio Gaetano 

Cofferati - Major of Bologna; Guests: 

Serio Gaetano Cofferati - Major of Bologna; 

Ph.D. Paola Monari - Vice-Dean 

of the University of Bologna, Ph.D. Paola 

Monari. Partners: Unicredit Bank, CoopItalia, 

Fabbri, Cerelia 


Presentation of EYP Italy to local 

schools by the Local Committee of 

Piacenza: Piacenza, Decenber 9 


Contact 

Associazione Parlamento 

Europeo Giovani 

c/o Liceo Scientifico “Vallisneri” 

Via delle Rose 68 

55100 Lucca 

Phone: +393337517766 / 

+39 340 7207071 

Fax: +390583582155 

Email: peg@eypitaly.org, 

Homepage: www.eypitaly. 

org

Latvian Youth Organisation “Tellus” 


Youth Parliament in Latvia 

Currently based in Riga, the Latvian Youth Organisation Tellus was created in 

2004. Tellus has developed into an organisation for organisers, holding different 

trainings that provide information on effective organising, also representing EYP 

on the national level, being responsible for its sustainable development by organising 

different national and cross-border events. Around 250 youngsters are 

reached by Tellus’ activities each year. 


The 6th Latvian National Conference 

was held in Ventspils, 

Latvia between August 20 - 23. The 

aim of this conference was to select 2 

delegations to go to the upcoming 

International sessions in Rennes, 

France and in Stockholm, Sweden. 

This conference was sponsored by 

“Youth in Action” and www.salidzini. 

lv 


Patron: Minister of Education Tatjana 

Koķe 


Teacher’s Seminar “Our pupils in 

the European Youth Parliament” 

Aim: Inform teachers from whole Latvia 

about EYP and start gathering delegations 

from different schools, February 2 

in Riga. 

Description: This seminar was organised 

by Latvian National Committee in 

order to create a co-operation between 

teachers and LNC. It was a true success 

as we managed to create a strong co-operation 

with 7 teachers from 7 different 

schools with different backgrounds. 

Chairs Training 

Aim: Train and choose the officials 

for the Latvian Nationals, June 29 in 

Riga. Description: This training gathered 

8 upcoming chair persons for the next 

Latvian Nationals to prepare them for 

the facilitation of the work of the young 

delegates. 

More events and details on the activities 

above can be found online at 

www.tellus.lv 

Contact 

LJO “Tellus” 

Rīga, Elizabetes iela 

91/93, dz. 13 

tel: +371 26049403 

e-mail: eyp@tellus.lv / 

info@tellus.lv 

Homepage : www.tellus.lv 


47

Stichting Europees Jeugd Parlement Nederland 


Parliament in The Netherlands 

Created in 1998, the Stichting Europees Jeugd Parlement Nederland is the Dutch 

Committee of EYP. In addition to an annual National Selection Conference, the 

Committee organises several Preliminary Rounds a year and supports a strong 

network of alumni through unofficial alumni get-togethers and ‘think tanks’ about 

the future of the organisation. 

Each year, the National Committee of the EYP in The Netherlands reaches out to 

more than 200 young Dutch people. 


From January 25 - 27 the 8th 

Dutch National Conference took 

place in Amsterdam. At the official 

Opening Ceremony of the session, the 

delegates were welcomed by special 

guests Boris van der Ham (MP) and 

Esther de Lange (MEP). Teambuilding 

and Committee Work were hosted at a 

school in the centre of the city. The GA 

took place in the prestigious Amsterdam 

Town Hall. Furthermore, the 

session welcomed several international 

alumni as Chairs, Journalists and 

Jurors. 


Patrons and guests 

Boris van der Ham (MP) and Esther de 

Lange (MEP). 


Preliminary Rounds 2008 

Apart from the annual National 

Conference, EYP The Netherlands organises 

several Preliminary Rounds a year, 

at which school delegations for the National 

Conference are selected. In 2008, 

three Preliminary Rounds were hosted in 

the cities of Nieuwegein, Wageningen and 

Delft. 


Contact 

Stichting Europees Jeugd 

Parlement Nederland 

P.O. Box 81 - 044 

3508 BA Utrecht 

The Netherlands 

Tel. +31642136085 (Ruben 

Wagenaar) 

Mail. info@eyp.nl 

Site. http://www.eyp.nl

European Youth Parliament Norway 


Youth Parliament in Norway 

The European Youth Parliament Norway was founded in 1995. It organises a 3 

days long national selection conference every September where 25 schools participate 

and we gather about 160 people. 

The Norwegian Committee reaches around 600 youngsters per year. 


6th Norwegian National Session 

of EYP Norway, September 16 - 

29 in Lillehammer 

Aims: spread the EYP spirit, promote 

mutual understanding, function as a 

platform for personal development, selecting 

delegations for the international 

sessions in Rennes and Stockholm, 

as well as a delegation for the Swedish 

Nationals in Malmö. 

Number of participants 160 

(100 delegates, 25 teachers, 31 alumni 

officials and 4 national committee 

members) 

Guests and partners: 

Hounorable guest and opening ceremony 

speaker: Kjetil Lundemoen, 

leader of the International committee 

of Oppland Regional County 

Partners: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 

The Freedom of Expression Foundation, 

Hedmark county, Vest-Agder 

county, Buskerud County, Akershus 

county, Utdanningsetaten i Oslo, 

Nord-Trøndelag county, Troms county, 

Lillehammer upper secondary school, 

Birkebeineren hotel and apartments 


Meetings, annual general assemblies 

and gatherings of local branches of 

EYPNAA: 

EYPNAA Bergen Annual General 

Assembly and local branch meeting 

October 23 

EYPNAA Oslo local branch meeting 

November 17 

EYPNAA Akershus Annual General 


November 18 

EYPNAA Trondheim Annual General 


November 26 

EYPNAA Tromsø Annual General 


December 4 

EYPNAA Lillehammer local branch 

meeting 

Contact 

Nasjonalkomiteen for EUP 

Norge 

EYP Norway National 

Committee/ 

Att: Kristine Ekeberg 

Libakkfaret 1a 

1184 Oslo 

Norway 

E-mail: kristine.ekeberg@ 

gmail.com 

Phone: nr: +47 99 56 05 

56 

Homepage: www.eyp.no 

EYPNAA 

EYP Norway Alumni Association 

Alice Jeanette Vatnehol 

Email: eypnaa@yahoo.no 

Phone nr.: +47 98 66 78 

69 

Homepage: www.eyp.no 


49

Europejski Parlament Mlodziezy EYP Poland 


Youth Parliament in Poland 

EYP Poland has been officially registered in early 2006. A group of engaged young 

volunteers had been active in Rzeszow, Wroclaw and Bialystok to promote the 

reflection of European topics for several years already. In 2004, 2005 and 2006 

International conferences were held in Bialystok with around 100 participants each 

from up to 15 European countries. Additionally, National/Regional Sessions have 

been held in various Polish cities (Rzeszow, Wroclaw, Krakow, etc.), each involving 

around 40 Polish and 40 international participants. It consists of approximately 

60 very active members organising around 10 local, regional and national events 

annually. 


The 5th National Selection Conference 

of the European Youth Parliament 

Poland. The session took place in 

Bialystok between September 17 – 21. 

The session’s programme included additional 

highlights: Panel Debate devoted to 

the Military Conflict between Georgia and 

Russia (hosting Dr. Alan G. Flowers, and 

Ms Mariam Takaishvili) and the Information 

- Discussion Meeting entitled Schengen 

is your Zone (hosting - Mr. Maciej 

Fiłończuk, Deputy Director of the Customs 

Chamber in Białystok, Mr. Maciej 

Czarnecki, Spokesman of the Customs 

Chamber in Białystok and Captain Rafal 

Okruszko, representative of the Podlaskie 

Border Guard. 


Guests: Mr Boguslaw Debski, Vice-Marshall 

of Podlaskie Province, Ms Renata 

Przygodzka, Pro-dean for Economics and 

Management at the University of Bialystok, 

Mr. Jan Oltarzewski, representative 

of the Voievode Office. 

Patrons: Mr Radosław Sikorski, Minister 

of Foreign Affairs, Ms Katarzyna 

Hall, Minister of National Education, Mr 

Jarosław Zygmunt Dworzański, Marshall 

of Podlaskie Voivodeship, Mr Maciej 

Żywno, Voivode of the Podlaskie Province, 

Mr Tadeusz Truskolaski, Mayor of 

Białystok have granted their patronage to 

the 5th NSC of EYP Poland. 


9th Regional Session of EYP Poland, 

February 22 - 26, Kraków 

13th Day of EYP Poland, June 14, 

Białystok 

14th Weekend of EYP Poland, 

March 14 - 16, Wrocław 

15th Day of EYP Poland, May 31, 

Krakow 

16th Weekend of EYP Poland, 

October 17 - 19, Rzeszow 

17th Day of EYP Poland, 

November 22, Przemysl 

10th Regional Session of EYP 

Poland, December 3 -7, Białystok 


Contact 

Europejski Parlament 

Młodziezy EYP Poland 

ul. Swietojanska 22/1 

15-082 Białystok 

POLAND 

Phone: +48 696 908 031 

(Beata Skobodzińska) 

+48 697 387 770 

(Grzegorz Mroczkowski) 

Email: 

eyppoland@yahoo.com, 

Homepage: 

www.eyppoland.com

ASSOCIAÇÃO PORTUGUESA - P.E.J. 

The National Committee of the 

European Youth Parliament in Portugal 

Although it has informally worked since 1989, the National Committee of the EYP 

in Portugal was officially recognised by the national authorities in 1999. 

The Portuguese association has a broad range of activities: 2 annual National 

Selection Conferences, The Day of Europe (conference and debate, cultural tours), 

workshops and debates on the most relevant issues of European interest directed 

to students in general, trainings for members of the Association in order to 

improve their competences as facilitators at the National Sessions, workshops for 

teachers and students on European Institutions, annual meeting of Alumni. Our 

project has had a lot of recognition, with our activities being well accepted by schools 

throughout Portugal. 


XIX National Selection Session of 

EYP Portugal 

March 21 – 23, Matosinhos, Selection 

of the Portuguese Delegation to attend 

the 61st International Session of EYP. 


Patrons and Guests: Mayor of Matosinhos 

Town. Partners: Ministry of 

Education, Matosinhos Town Hall, District 

Government of Porto, Padrão da 

Légua High School, Portuguese Youth 

Institute. 

V Regional Selection – Southern 

Portugal 

October 16 – 18, Alcochete, Southern 

Regional Selection to select a delegation 

to attend the XIX National Selection 

Session of EYP Portugal. 


Patrons and Guests: Mayor of Alcochete 

Town. Partners: Ministry of 

Education, Alcochete Town Hall, Portuguese 

Youth Institute. 


VI Regional Selection – Centre 

Portugal 

October 24 – 25, Mangualde, Centre Regional 

selection session to select a delegation 

to attend the XIX National Selection 

Session of EYP Portugal. 


Patrons and Guests: Mayor of Mangualde 

Town. Partners: Ministry of Education, 

Mangualde Town Hall, Portuguese Youth 

Institute. 

VII Regional Selection – Northern 

Portugal 

October 24 – 25, Porto, Northern Regional 

Selection to select a delegation to 

attend the XIX National Selection Session 

of EYP Portugal. 


Patrons and Guests: Mayor of the City of 

Porto, District Governor of Porto. Partners: 

Ministry of Education, Porto Town 

Hall, District Government of Porto, Portuguese 

Youth Institute. 

Contact 

Associação Portuguesa - 

P.E.J. 

c/o Armanda Camisão 

Rua das Flores, 92 

4465-134 São Mamede de 

Infesta 

Phone: +351 229026664 / 

fax: +351 229039142 

Email: acamisao@netcabo. 

pt, homepage : 

www.pejportugal.org/ 


51


Youth Parliament in Romania 

Romania takes part at EYP events constantly since 1996, starting with the international 

session in Thessaloniki. Since April 2006 EYP Romania national committee 

is organised as a foundation named “EYP Romania” following the model of the 

HSS-EYP International regarding structure, objectives, educational aims, internal 

organisation. EYP Romania is having the headquarter in Oradea, Romania (see 

contact below). 


November 17 - 23, Prahova Valley- 

Bucharest, Romania, the event 

stressed the idea of human solidarity 

between citizens from all parts of 

Europe under the motto: “Living 

together, acting together, and innovating 

together”, organised with the 

support of European Commission- 

Youth in Action programm, action 13. 

Guests: HRH Prince Radu of Romania, 

Mr. Bogdan Olteanu president of 

the Deputy Chamber of the Romanian 

Parliament 

Partners: Youth In Action(Romania), 

Busteni Town Hall, Sinaia Town Hall, 

Casino Sinaia 

Sponsors: ING, British Knights, S.C. 

ISCE S.R.L., Zarea Trans, Diamant 

Trans, N24, National FM, Favorit FM, 

Radio Bucuresti, Bihor Online, Ziua, 24 

FUN 


Chair, Orga, Journo Trainning 

Session (Sibiu/ Hermanstadt-Romania) 

January 11 - 14 

Multiple Sclerosis Conference (Brasov-Romania) 

March 24 - 27 

Muntenia Regional Session (Poiana 

Pinului-Romania) March 28 - 30 

Moldova Regional Session (Botosani- 

Romania) May 9 - 11 

Transilvania Regional Session 

(Singeorz Bai-Romania)May 16 - 18 

Olympic Forum I (Olympic Riviera- 

Greece) August 25 - September 2 

Olympic Forum II (Olympic Riviera- 

Greece) September 2 

Romanian National Selection Session 

(Oradea- Romania) 

September 26 - 29 


Contact 

EYP Romania 

st. Avram Iancu nr.7/7, zip 

410094, Oradea, jud. 

Bihor, Romania 

Tel: +40722884273 

Fax: ++40259457297 

Mail: eyp_romania@yahoo. 

com 

http://www.eypromania. 

eu/

Европейский Молодежный Парламент – Россия 


Youth Parliament in Russian Federation 

EYP Russia came into existence in 2002 when an initiative group of students from 

the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia has first contacted EYP to participate 

in the 41st International session in Turin, Italy. 

Activities of the European Youth Parliament in Russia aim to support implementation 

of new forms and methods of education, development of youth activeness in 

the fields of science, politics and culture, training of the sense of justice and formation 

of civil standing, active participation of youth in the society’s life, and intercultural 

communication. Each year EYP Russia reaches around 200 youngsters. 


“Young parliamentarians”, Conference 

with the Council of the Federation 

of Russia 

This event was very important for EY- 

Pers of Russia because it gave them the 

opportunity to debate with the members 

of the Russian parliament and to discuss 

the most important issues related to the 

youth participation and the upcoming 

“Year of the Youth” in Russia. 

The Conference was held in Moscow 

from October 29 - 30. Approximate number 

of the participants: 80 persons from 

different regions. 

Guests: Yuriy Smirnov First Deputy 

Chairman of the Commission of the 

Federation Council for Youth and Sports; 

Pavel Isaev Chairman of the Parliamentary 

Assembly of Youth 

Sponsors: the Council of the Federation 

of Russia, Peoples’ Friendship University, 

Russian Youth Association 


1. Regional Selection, May 15 - 16 

Number of delegates: 84 

2. EYP Russia Moscow alumni 

meeting, October 11 


3. Regional Selection (Moscow), December 

18 - 19 

Estimated number of delegates: 37 

4. National E-selection (pilot 

innovative project), December 26 

- 27 

Contact 

Peoples’ Friendship University 

of Russia (PFUR) 

ul. Mikluho-Maklaya, 10/a 

117198 Moscow 

Miss Kamila Guseynova, 

EYP Russia President 

Phone: +7 495 787 38 03 

ext. 1601, Fax: +7 495 

4347016 

Email: 

eyp.russia@ 

gmail.com 

www.eypej.ru 


53

Evropski parlament mladih Srbije 

European Youth Parliament in Serbia 

Being active since 1999, the national branch of EYP in Serbia was officially registered 

as an organization in 2006. 

The national committee consists of 120 members, of which seven are members 

of the Managing board. The number of members keeps growing since EYP Serbia 

performs not only the activities related to its role of representative of EYP in 

Serbia, but it also organizes seminars, lectures and workshops on topics connected 

to the European perspective of the country opened for young people who are not 

necessarily members of the organization. Many well-known experts have taken 

part in the events and thanks to the success of these projects the reputation of EYP 

Serbia is constantly growing. 


Belgrade, November 14 - 18 

Realising and improving the importance 

of the cooperation in all ways 

between the SEE countries 



Town of Belgrade (members of the city 

council), County New Belgrade (Members 

of the County council), British 

Council (Director of the British Council 

in Serbia), Representatives of the EYP 

Croatia, Macedonia, Greece 

Donors: 

Simens, Pepsi, Institute CIP, Institute 

Kirilo Savić, Neškom-prom, Autoglobal, 

MM Trans, Standard, County of Zvezdara, 

Kos-Intel, Vorex engeneering. 


Seminar (problems of xenophobia 

and prejudges among youth in 

Serbia)-March-Belgrade open school 

Eyp session one day simulation 

April/May, Several high school in 

Serbia 

Chair/journo training – September – 

Belgrade open school 

Eyp session on Serbian language 

Belgrade open school 


Contact 

Mladen Nijemcevic 

Evropski parlament mladih 

Srbije 

Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 

10g 

11070 Belgrade 

email: mladen.nijemcevic@gmail.com 

tel: +381 (0)11 3110949, 

mob: +881 (0)63 373385

European Youth Parliament - España 


Youth Parliament in Spain 

This is a very new NC. We started work in September 2006 and there have been 

many hurdles along the way, but despite the difficulties we are doing our best to 

take the quality of our sessions to a new level with each passing year. 


III National Selection in Sevilla (April 16 - 20). This event was a great success. 

More than 104 young people from 15 different European states attended and 

took part in raising the bar for this organisation. Never before had EYP Spain 

created a session with such high educational value combined with important guests 

such as Luis Yañez-Barnuevo García, Member of the European Parliament. 

As well as the core activities such as Teambuilding, Committee Work and General 

Assembly this session also featured a dedicated expert assigned to each committee 

and a conference offering tips on public speaking and how to turn any speech into 

a success. All of these factors contributed towards making this a magical, enlightening 

experience for all of those involved. 

The session was possible thanks to the support of Pablo de Olavide University, I2BC 

(Instituto de , Innovación para el Bienestar Ciudadano), Instituto Andaluz de la 

Juventud, Diputación de Sevilla, Parlamento de Andalucía, Ayuntamiento de Alcalá 

de Guadaría, Centro de Documentación Europea de la Universidad de Sevilla, d de 

diseño, Turismo de Sevilla, Fundación SECOIDE and Dafcon. 

Contact 


– España 

info@eype.eu 


55

Europeiska ungdomsparlamentet Sverige 


Youth Parliament in Sweden 

EYP was introduced in Sweden in 1992 and in 1995 a National Committee was 

officially created, joined by an Alumni Association in 2003. In 2005, the National 

Committee and the Alumni Association were re-integrated into one organisation. 

From 1994 to 2005 the National Committee organised one-day National Selection 

Conferences annually. Since 2005 a three-day National Session is organised. 

Throughout the years, EYP Sweden has hosted two international sessions (1995 

and 2001). The 60th International Session of the EYP in spring 2009 will take place 

in Stockholm. 

Each year, EYP Sweden reaches approximately 900 youngsters thanks to the selection 

process for the participation to the National Session and its other activities. 


4th National Selection Conference 

Participants: Delegations from 

21 schools, 17 Swedish and 4 from 

abroad, gathered for a very successful 

session. Four schools were selected to 

participate in the International Sessions 

in Prague and Rennes. 

Patrons and Guests: Patron was Ms. 

Margot Wallström, First Vice President 

in the European Commission, who 

was present and spoke at the Opening 

Ceremony. 

Ms. Cecilia Malmström, Swedish Minister 

for EU Affairs, also spoke at the 

Opening Ceremony. 


2nd Baltic Sea Regional Session took 

place in Stockholm, April 18 – 22 

under the patronage of Ms. Cecilia Malmström, 

Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, 

and gathered 120 delegates from 16 

countries who, together with organisers 

and sponsors made this a very successful 

event. The General Assembly was held in 

the building of the Swedish Parliament 

(Riksdagshuset). 

5th National Selection Conference 

took place in Malmö November 28 – 

30 under the patronage of Mr. Carl Bildt, 

Minister for Foreign Affairs. 31 schools 

from all over Sweden had sent in essays 

from their students and 24 schools were 

selected to take part in the session. The 

delegates and all participants had an 

extremely positive experience and the 

general opinion was that the session was 

of a very high standard. Four schools 

were selected to take part in the International 

Sessions in Helsinki and Stockholm. 

The General Meeting of the EYP 

Sweden took place in Stockholm on 

May 31. 


Contact 

Ylva Ersvik 

Ceremonimästarvägen 51 

SE – 181 40 Lidingö 

Sweden 

+46 73 721 34 66 

info@eup.se 

http://www.eup.se/

European Youth Parliament Schweiz 


Youth Parliament in Switzerland 

Since 1994, Swiss delegations attended sessions of the European Youth Parliament. 

As the National EYP Committee in Switzerland, we are promoting the ideas 

and aims of the European Youth Parliament, through the organisation of national 

events and the selection of the delegations which represent Switzerland at the 

International EYP Sessions and various other national and regional conferences 

within the EYP network. 

Since our inauguration, we have organised numerous national conferences and 

social events, as well as two International Sessions in Bern in 2000 and Basel in 

2005. 


12th Swiss National Conference, 

Fribourg, September 11 - 14 

The 12th National session of EYP Switzerland 

was held in the French part and 

attracted delegations from nine schools 

from each part of the country. Two 

international delegations joined the 60 

Swiss students taking part. 

We were happy to welcome Mr. Urs 

Schwaller, Member of Parliament in the 

council of states to grant his patronage 

over the session and speak at the opening 

ceremony. 


Preparation Weekend Zürich 

October 18 - 19 

For the delegations selected to represent 

Switzerland at international sessions 

(both to international sessions and 

fora and NC’s abroad) a preparatory 

weekend was organised. The meeting 

focused on topic preparation, session 

procedures and general organisational 

development. 

MUN Basel Regio Basel, 

October 23 

Presentation of EYP Switzerland’s activities 

to the participants of the Model 

United Nations Session held in Basel. 

Furthermore, the board met nine times 

over the course of the year and small 

events for alumni were organised each 

month. Contact 

Michel Hochstrasser 

Phone: +41 76 533 05 11 

Email: info@eyp.ch OR 

michel.hochstrasser@ 

gmail.com 

Homepage: 

http://www.eyp.ch 


57

Makedonski komitet na Evropskiot mladinski 

parlament 

The Macedonian Committee of the European 

Youth Parliament 

The Macedonian Committee of the European Youth Parliament is one of the 

newest members of the EYP. Created in 2004, it is developing increasingly 

and has already organised three national selection conferences. Together 

with the national committees in the neighbour countries, the Macedonian 

branch of the EYP plays a very important role in the development of civil 

society in South-Eastern Europe. EYP Macedonia has the patronage of: 

Ms.Gabriela Konevska Trajkovska, Deputy Prime Minister of Macedonia (in 

charge for European Affairs) and HE Mr Erwan Fouéré, Special Representative 

of the European Union and Head of Delegation of the European Commission 

in Macedonia. 

The activities of the Committee reach around 420 young Macedonian yearly. 


Contact 

Macedonian Committee of 

the European Youth Parliament 

c/o British Council 

Goce Delcev 6 

PO box 562 

1000 Skopje 

Phone: +38923135035 / fax: 

+38923135036 

Email: contact@eyp.org.mk; 

mirije@eyp.org.mk; 

Homepage: www.eyp.org. 

mk

European Youth Parliament Turkey 


Youth Parliament in Turkey 

EYP Turkey is an active member of the EYP network since 1999. As a volunteerbased 

association, it consists of approximately 50 active members and continuously 

engages in the cross-national cooperation within the EYP by organising and participating 

in regional, national and international events and has so far sent delegates 

to more than 20 International Sessions. 


ISTANBUL GENÇLIK FORUMU 

(National Selection Conference) 

January 4 - 7 

Place: Robert College of Istanbul 


Guests: Fuat Keyman, Haluk Şahin, 

Serhat Güvenç, Şule Kut (All speakers in 

the panel at the opening ceremony) 


International Istanbul Youth 

Forum (Regional Session): 

April 3 - 8 

Place: Robert College of Istanbul 


1st Chairs’ Training of EYP Turkey 

Septemebr 13 - 14 

Place: Kilyos, Istanbul 


Trainers: Lot Debruyne (BE), Begüm 

Erdoğan (TR) 

Contact 

EYP Turkey 

c/o Emre Tekişalp 

Email: eypturkey@gmail. 

com 


59

European Youth Parliament – Ukraine 


Parliament in Ukraine 

The National Committee of the EYP in Ukraine exists since 2000, though it was officially 

registered only in 2002. Its principal and regular activities range from national selections 

and regional sessions to conferences on European policy issues, Europe Day celebrations, 

various youth empowerment projects, EYP happy hours and regular meetings. 


February 3, General Assembly of EYP- 

Ukraine 

February 21 - 24, 5th Lviv regional 

session (Bilateral, UA-BY), 70 delegates 

April 12, EYP mini-session (presentation) 

in Luhansk (Eastern Ukraine), 

30 participants 

April 13, EYP mini-session in Sumy, 40 

participants 

June 27, General Assembly of EYP- 

Ukraine (presentations from delegations 

to EYP events abroad), 40 participants 

July 3 - 6, 3rd Sumy regional session, 80 

delegates 

September 18 - 21, 2008 National 

Session of EYP-Ukraine in Kyiv (partners 

– SCM Company, Coca-Cola), 100 delegates 

October 25, General Assembly of EYP- 

Ukraine (reporting, introduction to 

newcomers after NS in September) and 

Strategic meeting of the Board for 2009- 

2010, 40 participants 

November 17, EYP mini-session in 

Khmelnytskyi, 30 participants 


Celebration of Europe Day in 

Kyiv, Odesa and Donetsk 

May 11, 14, 17 

140 participants (volunteers) EYP- 

Ukraine was one of the partners 

of the European Commission in 

organizing the celebration in three 

cities of Ukraine – Kyiv, Odesa and 

Donetsk. In particular, we coordinated 

the work of all volunteers 

before and during the celebration. 

EYP-Ukraine also had its own tent 

in European city at the central 

street of Kyiv among the tents of the 

embassies of European countries. 


Contact 

Міжнародна молодіжна 

громадська організація 

«Європейський 

молодіжний парламент - 

Україна» 

International Youth NGO 

‘European Youth Parliament 

– Ukraine’ 

P.O. Box 409B, 

01001 Kyiv, Ukraine 

Phone: +380677187804 

E-mail: oksana.andrusyak@eyp-ua.org 

Homepage: www.eyp-ua. 

org

European Youth Parliament United Kingdom 


Youth Parliament in the United Kingdom 

Created in 1992, the European Youth Parliament in the UK is very active on the 

regional as well as on the national level. With 13 Regional Forums across the UK 

(one day events with ice-breaking and General Assembly) and one annual National 

Session (four day event with 200 participants), EYP UK has a very large outreach 

all over the United Kingdom. 

Each year, the selection process of the participants of the EYP UK regional and 

national events reaches roughly 1500 youngsters in the UK. 


From September 18 - 21 EYP UK 

National Session gathered the 

winners of the 14 Regional Sessions to 

select delegates for future International 

Sessions. 

Number of participants 

200 participants from across the UK and 

Europe 

Patrons 

Patron: Rt.Hon David Milliband, Secretary 

of State for Foreign & Commonwealth 

Affairs. 

Guests: Jean-Pierre Jouyet, Felipe Gonzalez, 

Vaira Vike-Freiberga. 


Regional Forums: EYP UK was 

delighted this year to be able to host 

13 Regional Forums held across the 

country. Each forum brings together 

teams of 8 students from 8 to 20 schools 

from the region, allowing us to reach 

out to a tremendous number of new 

pupils each year. We are also piloting 

new formats for Regional Forums, 

including regional sub forums to allow 

us to reach an even greater number of 

students. 

LivEYP: This year EYP UK was very 

proud to host the 58th International 

Session of the EYP in Liverpool in July. 

This event (described more fully elsewhere 

in the report) brought together 

~300 EYPers with 100s of local young 

people for a packed ten day programme 

dedicated to Intercultural Dialogue. 

Outreach: EYP UK continues to run 

a successful outreach scheme, 

where our alumni visit state schools and 

introduce some of the concepts from 

EYP to pupils in an informal setting. 

EYP UK Christmas Party: In December 

2008, following on the successes 

of last year, the UK will host an 

EYP Christmas Party in London. Invitations 

to this informal and fun event have 

been sent to our friends and colleagues 

from the other EYP National Committees. 

Contact 


United Kingdom 

Flat B, 10 Tysoe Street 

Angel 

London EC1R 4RQ 

Chairperson: Pamela Mc- 

Gill, pamela.mcgill@accenture.com, 

www.eypuk.org 


61

Institutional Partnerships and 

Patrons

Institutional Partnerships and Patrons 

Networking philosophy 

Institutional partnerships amd patronage 

Comité d’Honneur 

Co-operation is the credo of the European Youth Parliament. As a network of 32 National Committees, 

the EYP is convinced of the efficiency of partnerships and cooperation. Therefore, the EYP has always 

been eager to establish partnerships all over Europe: with other NGOs, with public institutions, the media 

and with private institutions. Together with its partners, the European Youth Parliament has been able to 

create synergies in the fields of education, youth, Europe and intercultural dialogue. 

The European Youth Parliament has been developing good relationships with the European Parliament: 

The President of the parliament, Prof. Dr. Hans-Gert Pöttering, is the permanent patron of the EYP. Additionally, 

the EYP has set up links with “liaison parliamentarians”, who suggest topics for the International 

Sessions and feed the results back to their committees. Moreover, the European Parliament financially 

supported the International Sessions in Liverpool and Rennes in 2008. Finally, it was a great honour that 

a number of MEPs visited the sessions and sought the debate with the young delegates. 

The Council of Europe is very engaged and active in the youth field in particular through its Directorate 

for Youth and Sports, a partner of the European Youth Parliament since 2005. The International Session 

in Liverpool in 2008 was supported by a grant from the Council of Europe through the European Youth 

Foundation which also covers part of the EYP’s administrative costs. The Secretary General of the Council 

of Europe, Terry Davis, is patron of the European Youth Parliament. The Council of Europe (Directorate 

for Youth and Sports) has helped to find experts for the sessions, provided information material for the 

participants and support with an administration grant. Besides, topics are regularly suggested by the 

Council of Europe and representatives of the institution have attended International Sessions in the past 

year. 

The European Commission has also been a very important supporter of the International Sessions of 

the European Youth Parliament in the previous year. The International Session in Prague was financially 

supported by the Commission in the framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme. In addition, the EYP 

is since 2008 a partner of the Youth Programme and supported with a grant to cover its administrative 

costs. 

Moreover, the EYP was honoured by the presence of European Commissioner Barrot at its International 

Session in Rennes and is proud to announce that since 2008 the EYP is also guided by a Comité d’Honneur 

which has been joined by the Commissioners Barroso, Barrot, Kovács and Wallström. 


63

Partners

Partners of the European Youth Parliament 

Without the support of our partners, the European Youth Parliament would not have been able to realise 

its aims. We thank them all and express our gratitude for their support. Please note that this publication 

reflects the views only of the author, and none of the institutions mentioned below can be held responsible 

for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 


65


European Youth Parliament / Heinz-Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa 


D-10178 Berlin 

Fon +49.30.97 00 50 95 

Fax +49.30.97 00 50 96 

info@eypej.org 

www.eypej.org 

Chairman of the Heinz-Schwarzkopf-Stiftung 


Members of the Board: 

Dieter Kosslick 

Dr. Ekkehard Nümann 

Dr. Eric Schweitzer 

Dr. Friedhelm Klaes 

Hans Christian Schwarzkopf 

Jonas Dreger 

Theo Koll 

Tobias Bütow 

Director: 

Philipp J. Scharff 

Executive Director of the European Youth Parliament: 

Jan-Philipp Beck 

Members of the Board of the European Youth Parliament: 

Richard Royal 

Martin Getz 

Jonas Dreger 

Tapio Schrey 

Christopher Tripp 

Ville Vasaramäki 


Comité d’Honneur of the European Youth Parliament: 

José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission 

Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European Commission 

Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission 

László Kovács, Member of the European Commission 

Print: 

Nils Lengler 

Druckerei des Ev. Kirchenkreises Spandau 

Jüdenstraße 37 

13597 Berlin 

This publication has been produced with the support of the European Commission 

and the Council of Europe. This publication reflects the views only of the author and 

none of the institutions mentioned above can be held responsible for any use which 

may be made of the information contained therein. 


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Annual Report 2008 - European Youth Parliament

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