Annual Report 2009 - European Youth Parliament

Greeting from the Chairman of the Schwarzkopf-Foundation
Dear Friends of the European Youth Parliament,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
2009 was a successful year for the European Youth Parliament. At more than 100 events
we engaged almost 20,000 young people in dialogue, discussion and debate.
Once again the EYP network grew. With the arrival of Lithuania we welcomed the 33rd
National Committee to the EYP. Reaching across Europe, the European Youth Parliament
enabled young people to develop their ideas and visions for the future of Europe in a nonpartisan
forum.
The EYP brought together over 250 young people from all over Europe at each of the International
Sessions held in Stockholm (Sweden), Leuven/Brussels (Belgium) and Helsinki
(Finland). The students drafted resolutions on current European political topics and debated
them in a parliamentary assembly. The students had to formulate their opinions on
complex issues, negotiate and find compromises in an international setting using English
or French – languages which are foreign to the vast majority of the participants. We are
convinced that the experiences gained through intercultural cooperation and dialogue on
current European topics at an EYP session are unique and invaluable for the young participants.
The ideas and proposals of the European Youth Parliament are recognised by political
decision makers. The newly elected President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek,
and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, assumed the patronage
of all activities of the EYP. We are also proud to announce that in 2009 the Commissioners
Wallström, Orban and Kovács visited International Sessions. Also, Ralf-René
Weingärtner of the Council of Europe engaged in discussions with the young parliamentarians.
Finally, we were honoured to welcome HRH C.P. Victoria of Sweden to the EYP
International Session in Stockholm, Sweden.
I am very pleased by the fact that we have engaged young Europeans actively in debating
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.
Moreover, we engaged them in the debate on urgent topics such as the financial and
economic crisis and combating climate change.
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 the past.
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 Schwarzkopf-Foundation