Annual Report 2008 - European Youth Parliament

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.