booklet eya

2nd SESSION OF THEEUROPEAN

YOUTHASSEMBLY

INSTITUTO NUN’ALVRES ‘16

INVITATIONBOOKLET

19, 20 AND 21 FEBRUARY 2016

WELCOME

WELCOME!

Dear participants,

It is with great joy that I welcome you to the 2nd session of the European Youth Assembly. We are beyond thrilled to have you on board!

Last year we took on the challenge to develop the EYA, a project we truly believe in and hold very near and dear to our hearts. This is, above all, a platform for you, the youth of today, to engage in thrilling debates over society’s most pressing matters, all while coming up with innovative and intelligent solutions to help tackle those issues. It’s, above all, a place where we all come together to create a once in a lifetime experience in one unique environment, building bridges that connect us all: different people with different opinions but the same desire to play a key role in so-ciety, to show people that the youth has a voice that deserves to be heard.

Oh, and speaking of building bridges... That’s actually our theme this year, you know. Building bridges and broadening horizons. Why? Because one of the cornerstones of this project is to awaken the proactive spirit that lies within you, to incite you to look beyond your classroom walls and em-brace new experiences, however scary they may seem at first.

Now, my dearest delegates, I can only assure you that I cannot wait to hear what you all have to say. I urge you to seize this opportunity and make the most out of this experience, as I know it is one you’ll never forget.

Francisca CarvalhoPresident of the 2nd Session of the European Youth Assembly

» CONTENTS

WELCOME TO EYA

OFFICIALS

SESSION THEME

PROGRAMME

CHAIRS

TOPICS

THE SESSION

DRESS CODE

2

4

5

6

7

11

13

18

CONTACTS 19

OFFICIALS

Dear participants, First and foremost, we would like to welcome you to the 2nd European Youth Assembly!

We are looking forward to meeting you next February, convinced of your full commitment and excitement to debate the main issues concerning our society. Nevertheless, our session entails much more than this. Be-sides becoming a conscious citizen, aware of nowadays controversies, this opportunity will hand you the tools to engage as an active part of its reso-lution. In fact, embracing this project will allow you to share unique expe-riences with your peers and learn from one another.

We believe it is of the highest instance to approach the diverse topics that concern our society and to build an opinion of your own, as an European citizen. Once you’ve achieved this, your perception of life will transform completely, mainly in behalf of confronting things in a much more mean-ingful way, broadening your horizons, enabling you to realise what is hap-pening around you. So, seize this opportunity to express yourself, to share your point of view and to make yourselves be heard!

We hope you’ll enjoy the event we are preparing for you. Remember, not everything is black and white, it is the colour you paint it. It’s up to you, make the best out of it!

Diana Azevedo and Maria Clara CorreiaHead and Co-Head Organisers of the 2nd Session of the European YouthAssembly

THEME

Horizon: 1. The line at which the earth’s surface and the sky appear to meet.2. The limit of a person’s knowledge, experience, or interest.

But... Is there a limit to one’s knowledge? Is there such thing as an horizon? Well, if you look at the sky, it appears that there’s a boundary. That’s the horizon, the apparent end of all things. Yet, if you try to reach it, you sim-ply can’t. It’s infinite. Why not try and make our knowledge horizon the same? That is achievable, as long as we cooperate, building bridges and extending our knowledge to the rest of the world. That’s precisely what this year’s theme is about: Building Bridges and Broadening Horizons.

As we live today in what we call a globalised planet, this can’t only be due to technological progress and communication, but it must also be about support, cooperation and knowing how to live in a globalised world where all differences have to be respected and protected. Therefore, there is the urge and need to build bridges among this global community and to broaden the horizons of those who can’t look past their own beliefs and help them learn to embrace this new world that has arisen.

This new world calls upon a fairer and more inclusive society, where en-gaged global citizens are fueled by the desire of deeply understanding different perspectives, rather than to simply perpetuate their own. It en-courages us to learn how to recognize the humanity of others, including those who may have been taught to fear, distrust or hate. That recognition ultimately leads to positive social change towards a more united and un-derstanding society.

We invite you to join forces with us in order to build bridges between us all, working together to reach new places and broadening horizons to achieve a brighter future.

The Chairs Team

PROGRAMME

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2016

14:00 - Team Building 16:00 - Committee Work17:30 - Coffee Break18:00 - Committee Work20:00 - End of Activities

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2016

9:00 - Committee Work11:00 - Coffee Break / Resolution’s

Deadline11:30 - Committee Work

13:00 - Lunch15:00 - Committee Work

17:00 - Coffee Break20:30 - Cultural Village Preparation

21:00 - Cultural Village

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

9:30 - Opening Ceremony10:00 - Coffee Break10:30 - General Assembly13:00 - Lunch14:30 - General Assembly16:00 - Coffee Break17:30 - Closing Ceremony

CHAIRS

Bernardo Cunha (Chair EMPL)

My name is Bernardo and I'm honoured to be a chair in this session! I'm 18 years old and studying physics at Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto.I have quite a few hobbies, some of them being coin collecting, playing the guitar and the piano, and my favourite of them all, solving rubik’s cubes and puzzles of that sort. I love music in all kinds of ways. Listening to it, playing it and even creating it!

Mariana Ferreira (Chair FEMM)

My name is Mariana Ferreira, I’m 17 years old and I’m in grade 11 in the Languag-es and Humanities course. In the future, I hope to pursue either Law or International Affairs. I would describe myself as very girly, since I like everything cute, pink and fluffy! I love rainy days, green tea, sushi, pandas and... Kpop! I really dislike loud environments, mice, rats, bees...and don’t get me started on spiders. As I’m very sensitive to smells, I can´t stand the smell of grass, cucumbers or tuna.

CHAIRS

Luís Rocha (Chair JURI II)

I’m Luís Rocha, I’m 21 years old and I’m studying Medicine in Faculdade de Me-dicina da Universidade de Coimbra.I like listening to music, traveling and dis-covering new places! I really enjoy eating francesinhas. I play badminton for my university team and I also love surfing the Internet for interesting stuff. Plus... I love playing a city building game called “Cities: Skylines” (don’t judge me!).I don’t like being alone and being in the same place for too long.

Cláudia Silva (Chair LIBE)

I’m Cláudia Silva and I turn 18 years old in October! I’m studying Law, in Faculdade de Direito da Universidade do Porto.My favourite season is winter and I love Costa Coffee’s cappuccinos and muffins, Christmas decorations and going to the cinema. I really dislike McDonald’s hamburgers, traffic and noise.

CHAIRS

Pedro Matos (Chair AFCO)

My name is Pedro Matos and I’m 16 (once the youngest delegate, now the youngest chair...). I live in the lovely city of Santo Tir-so with my parents and my three young-er brothers (aged 14, 13 and 10). I’m in 11th grade in the scientific course.I love listening to music (especially classi-cal and rock) and I play the piano and the bass. I also love eating (everything but to-matoes). I’m a Star Wars addict and, yes, I’ve been to the premiere of Episode VII!I also love to play volleyball and football.

Afonso Ferreira (Chair JURI I)

My name’s is Afonso, and I’ll be participat-ing in this year’s school session as a chair! As for tastes and hobbies, I am quite a lazy person. I like to watch movies on Friday nights, can’t live without the internet, and love playing games with my sister (quite sad I know). However, sometimes I like to explore the so called outside world that I keep hearing about... I have to say it’s kinda overrated.

CHAIRS

Carina Vieira (Chair CULT)

Hi everyone! I’m Carina Vieira, I’m 19 years old and I’m studying Pharmaceutical Sciences in Faculdade de Farmácia da Uni-versidade do Porto. I like both playing and listening to music and spending time with the people I love!

TOPICS

» Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL)Navigating the maelstroms of the economic crisis: Which short-term actions and structural labour market reforms should the European Union pursue, whilst balancing competitiveness and social justice?

Chair: Bernardo Cunha

» Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI I)The future of embryonic stem cell research in a heterogeneous legal landscape: how can the EU and its Member States strike a balance between protecting embryos for moral reasons, enhancing therapeutic prospects for patients suf-fering from incurable illnesses, and protecting freedom of research?

Chair: Afonso Ferreira

» Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI II)Prostitution: legalisation, decriminalisation, prohibition. Control measures among EU Member States vary greatly, with the potential dangers of prosti-tution and the varying attitudes to the sex industry, should the EU create a pan-European policy towards Prostitution?

Chair: Luís Rocha

» Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)Equal opportunities for all: what action should the European Union take to ensure youth with migration background have equal access to education throughout Europe and what is the responsibility of the individual?

Chair: Carina Vieira

TOPICS

» Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO)Recently, the possibility to allow people vote at 16 has been a topic of discussion within the European Parliament. In light of steadily decreasing turnout at the polls, especially amongst young people, should the vote at 16 measure be imple-mented?

Chair: Pedro Matos

» Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)The role of women in the Arab spring: How can the EU prevent imperialist femi-nism whilst perpetuating the awakening of women‘s empowerment in the Arab world?

Chair: Mariana Ferreira

» Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)Many Roma people, who constitute Europe’s largest ethnic minority, are subject to deep-rooted social exclusion, human rights violations and discrimination in public and private life. What steps can the EU take to promote Roma inclusion?

Chair: Cláudia Silva

WHAT TO DO DURING...

TBTeam Building is the most relaxed part of the whole session, and I’ll tell you why: here, you’re asked to simply kick back, relax and have some fun. Sounds good?The concept is pretty straightforward, really. The main goal is, as the name indicates, to build a team. Plus, it’s a great way to break the ice and getting to know your

fellow committee members, thus improving communication between allof you and creating a good relationship you can build upon. After all, these people are the ones who will be with you throughout the whole session!So, what exactly do you do during Team Building? Well, essentially you will be taking part in many different games, all of which will be engag-ing and fun. Aside from that, you’ll also take part in games that help you get to know your fellow delegates a little bit better, physical games and mental games. The only requirement is that you keep an open mind and go into this lightheartedly, expecting nothing but a good time. Your chairperson will also be present during this stage, guiding you every step of the way. They will lead the activities and explain the games to the committee. They will also want to get to know you and creating a good relationship between them and the committee, so that everyone is com-fortable within the committee.The goal is that, by the end of the day, a strong, well-functioning team has been put together going into Committee Work, where the real work will start!

DRESS CODE - CASUAL

THE SESSION


CWDelegates will be divided into (?) committees, in order to debate the topics of this year’s session. These will vary between politics, economics, education, the envi-ronment, society, among others. Committee Work is a key part of the European Youth Assembly, because it is here where delegates, along

with the committee’s chairperson, will aim to come up with a resolution on the assigned topic, which will be discussed during the General Assem-bly. This will help develop your creative skills and proactive thinking, as you will be asked to come up with solutions for the problem at hand. Consensus is an important part of committee work, as you will be chal-lenged to respect and hear other people’s points of view and bring all different perspectives together in one single resolution.Generally, the first stage of committee work is brainstorming. It is usually here where raw ideas begin to grow into interesting and valid solutions for the issue you’ve been handed. Afterwards, you should begin to scruti-nise the problems within your topic and organise your ideas into feasible clauses. However, you can (and must) discuss, challenge each other’s ide-as, attacking and, finally, reaching common ground.Speaking of clauses and such, the last (and perhaps most important) part of the committee work process is the phrasing of the operative clauses of your resolution. This is where your two days’ work will be visible to all of us. Don’t worry, because your chair will be with you all the way. Organise your solutions into clauses, prepare a nice little speech to defend your motion (and some attack speeches for the other committee’s resolutions, if you so wish) but, most importantly, write a resolution the committee is proud of and ready to defend wholeheartedly.

DRESS CODE - SMART

THE SESSION


DRESS CODE - SMART

THE SESSION


GAWe get it if you’re feeling nervous about the General As-sembly. Really, we do. Most of us here at the European Youth Assembly have been there and have experienced those jittery nerves first hand. But here’s a little guide that will fill you in on what the GA is all about and hope-fully, it’ll calm your fears a little.

The most important thing you need to know is that the GA is what it all boils down to, at the end of the day. No pressure, right? Truthfully, this is where all your work is going to be heard, judged, meticulously studied and either defended or attacked. Here’s some tips for you to make the most out of it, though:Before the General Assembly, try to familiarise yourself with the other committees’ resolutions, finding some points that you can explore during the open debate, whether it be negatively or positively. Remember: if you disagree with any measure, don’t be afraid to express your opinion - po-litely, that is. If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to ask and should you need any help, there’s no one better than your experienced chair to fill in the blanks for you. Overcoming those pesky nerves isn’t an easy task, we know that. But if your brain goes blank for a bit and words just don’t seem to come out, don’t stress about it. Some of us - most of us, I’d risk saying - have been there, too. Also, don’t rely on your notes too much. We know you have it in you to wow us with your opinions without having to be glued to your papers. If you feel stuck, take a deep breath, relax, and try to carry on. Re-member, you’re here to have fun!

Now, let’s discuss the procedures of the General Assembly.


GAThe General Assembly is divided into several proce-dures. First up, we have the reading of the Operative Clauses. This is where a member of your committee’s own choosing takes the stage and reads the clauses you all came up with. After the operative clauses comes the defence speech.

What is the defence speech, though? Basically, the proposing committee is asked to write a speech defending your own resolution, stating why you came up with your solutions and showing all of us why you believe in it so much. Again, a member of your committee will step up and deliver the speech for all of us.Next up is/are the attack speech(es). Here is the chance for all other com-mittees to state why they chose to be against your motion. Our advice is that you write down what is said during these speeches so you have a chance to address those same points afterwards during the open debate.Speaking of the open debate, here we have the cornerstone of the whole General Assembly. This is, essentially, your time to shine. The open debate is divided into several rounds, where other committees will either refute your solutions or support them. It’s up to you, however, to defend it to the best of your abilities with well thought of responses - hence why it’s so important to know your resolution by heart - and making your opinions stand politely. Speak clearly and eloquently, and make sure to be fully present in the debate - you must be focused and sharp. Last but not least, we have the sum up speech. This is where you are asked to sum up your ideas after a lengthy debate, where you should inspire oth-ers, appeal to people’s emotions to ensure your resolution passes. Make it a memorable one, because after this, all committees will vote and deter-mine whether your resolution passes or not. Good luck!

DRESS CODE - FORMAL

THE SESSION


THE SESSION


CVCultural Village is an event, where each of the delega-tions present their national cuisine and culture. Each delegation has their own stand where they can presentnational dishes as well as share information, sing na-tional songs and wear national costumes. Please re-member to bring food, drinks, costumes and other item

that represent your country!

As for the Euroconcert, it’s an excellent opportunity to show your tal-ent to other session participants and supporters. All participants of the session are encouraged to participate as long as high standard is pro-vided and performances respect the importance of the event. Musi-cians should bring their own instruments. You can take part in the Eu-roconcert with people that aren’t part of the same committee as you, as this is, above all, a bonding experience between all participants.

Closer to the date of the session, you will be asked to fill out a form to take part in the Euroconcert.

DRESS CODE - CASUAL

CASUAL

This dress code applies to Team Building, where you will be doing various activities. You are free to wear any type of clothing you feel comfortable in,

as long as you are able to run around.

SMART

During Committee Work, you will not be expected to wear your suit, but worn out jeans with sneakers do not quite fit the smart clothing require-ments either. Preferably, wear something in between. For example, black or navy blue trousers with a blouse/shirt would be perfect for Committee

Work.

FORMAL

During the Opening Ceremony, the Euroconcert and the General Assem-bly, you will be expected to dress formally. This means suits with ties for the gentlemen, and suits, dresses or skirts of an appropriate length for the

ladies!

DRESS CODE

» Diana Azevedo (Head Organiser)912 841 010 + [email protected]

» Maria Clara Correia (Co-Head Organiser)912 383 557 + [email protected]

» Cláudia Camposinhos (Teacher)912 400 209 + [email protected]

CONTACTS

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