The third day at EYP-Project
2023
The General Assembly
Today, on the last day of our EYP-Project, it is finally time for the General Assembly (short: GA). This year the GA takes place in the „Kreishaus Eutin“ (the conference assembly hall of the district council) which you can see in the picture above. Right now, the delegates are presenting their results they worked on all weekend. The committees present their resolutions, which are then attacked by other committees. After a defence speech and an open discussion there is a vote whether to pass the resolution or not.
Excited students right before action
Right before the GA started we asked some of the delegates about the atmosphere in their committee. One student we asked is Tycho, student from Germany who is in the committee SEDE. He said:“ I think everyone of us is very excited, also we are very happy that we are prepared so well for our debate and it will be very much fun to discuss with the other committee.“
Politicians at our GA
To our General Assembly we invited some politicians and Rasmus Andresen (member of the European parliament), Bettina Hagedorn (member of the Bundestag (German parliament)) and Sven Radestock (mayor of Eutin) decided to join us. Each of them held a speech and shared their opinions about our EYP-Project with us. Thank you!
Rasmus Andresen:
„Its very great to see how many students are working on the weekend here! In the last EYPs the young students showed, how important the EYP is! The topic you discuss now is a very current topic. [... ] Also here in Germany, the war has a big impact on us. It‘s important to start a political point for the future to get more involved in politics for young people. It’s very important for us to get your impact!“
Sven Radestock:
„Hello and welcome in Eutin. I am very happy, that so many young guests are here. I think, that the EYP is an excellent opportunity exchange opinions and to meet new friends from other countries. Unfortunatly, the topic is very common and the war effects us all. I hope you have good debates and a lot of fun.“
Bettina Hagedorn:
„I am very happy to be here today. The blood in my heart is for what you have discussed today. At the end of October I was in the Ukraine and all the people there were in danger. Europa has to grow peacefully. You, the young generation has a big impact! I am very happy that you are here at the EYP in 2023“
Directly after the first speeches
After few students already held their speeches. The students were extremely nervous before stepping in front of all committees to present their resolutions. Bennet is one of these students: „Actually, I really liked standing there in front of all committees and in the end I believe we had really good points.“ Christina was the first student standing in the front, she said:“I think this speech went very well. In the beginning I had some fears about it, but I think it turned out good.“
Committee: Security and defence (SEDE)
Leading question:
How can the EU overcome the different stages of development in military structures and abilities between the member states ?
Problems:
- The EU as an institution does not provide adequate protection and security.
- The military capabilities and strategies could lead to potential threat of a global arms race.
- The financial resources oft he EU member states have not been used effectively in the past and the investments made were not sufficient.
Solutions:
- The EU Commission and the Council of the EU are to strengthen the pre-existing institutions of the EU regarding the military facilities.
- Step by step investments in military capabilities in a phased plan.
- Investments should be made according to the global escalation potential.
Approval: 19
Rejection: 20
Abstention: 5
Missing: 0
-> SEDE has not passed.
Committee: Culture and Education (CULT)
Leading question:
What measures could secure a successful combat of inequality and mistreatment of all refugees in contrast to one another as well as EU citizens ?
Problems:
- Concerned about the significantly different treatment of refugees based on nationality , culture and religion.
- The European Youth Parliament fearing that refugees are forced into illegal work due
Solutions:
- Refugees adapt to social norms of their destination country and national citizens to respect and learn about foreign cultures
- Encourages the member states that the evaluation system of foreign degrees applied to Ukrainian refugees should also be applied to every refugee’s integration
Approval: 29
Rejection: 14
Abstention: 1
Missing: 0
-> CULT has passed
AFET
Problems:
- Russia and the EU are in a questionable trust position because the Minsk agreements (I and II) were unsucessful
- it is unlikely that the Ukraine will be able to fulfill the Copenhagen criteria any time soon
- Russian media uses disinformation to influence European public opinion
Solutions:
- language classes need to be available online and refugees need to be provided
- member states are requested to provide corresponding standards of living for refugees
- member states are requested to form standardized legislation regarding the reception and integration of refugees
Voting:
approval: 36
rejection: 5
abstention: 3
missing: 0
-> AFET's resolution has passed
INTA
Leading question: How can the EU overcome the different stages of development in military structures and abilities between the member states?
Problems:
- uncertainties regarding supply security and high prices
- shortage of material in the EU because the Ukraine, as one of the main suppliers for metals, groceries and agricultural goods, is working at low capacity
- the European trading sectors were affected by the EU sanctioning Russian institutions and functions because they wanted to show the Ukraine their solidarity
Solutions:
- the EU foreign policy should increaseits efforts in deepening relationships with neighbours in Russian proximity to strengthen the EU's sphere of influence
- member states need to monitor and shorten the spread of Russian propaganda through media channels
Voting:
approval: 26
rejection: 10
abstention: 7
missing: 1
-> INTA's resolution has passed
Committee: Development (DEVE)
Leading question:
How can we reduce dependence on Russia to address inflation and improve education in Ukraine? How can EU member states collaborate to protect human rights and support Ukraine while maintaining economic stability?
Problems:
• The EU have been damaged through the sanctions imposed on Russia.
• Worldwide supply shortages and unemployment caused by disruptions of supply chains and increasing inflation due to the dependence of European economy on Russia.
• Ukraine children have been the subject of abduction by the Russian government during the impending war crises.
Solutions:
• Renewable energy sources
• Cooperation with other countries such as Norway, Switzerland or the USA to replace Russian supplies, they cannot provide themselfs
• Price limits
• Send teachers and school supplies for online schooling to stabilize the education system
Approval: 9
Rejection: 28
Abstention: 1
Missing: 2
-> DEVE has not passed.
Farewell
Dear participants of the EYP, it has been a long, exhausting, effortful but also a successful weekend for us. Representatives from five different countries came together to find resolutions for problems in context with cohesion of the EU in context with the war in the Ukraine. But the EYP it is not only about debating and discussing problems. It is also about meeting new people and having fun, like at the dance battle on Friday. The highlight of course were the lively debates in the General Assembly.
The 20 delegates arrived on Thursday to be ready to hit the ground on Friday, together with the 26 German parliamentarians.
But not only the delegates worked hard and put effort into the EYP project:
The catering team worked hard as well, including 13 German students, who prepared 2 fresh meals a day plus some snacks for our breaks.
The media team reported in real time from morning to noon about the EYP project on multiple media like the Weberblog, Instagram or the EYP Eutin 2023 blog. We took many pictures of you at the event. You can find those pictures in the gallery of this website.
Thank you for your participation at the EYP project Eutin 2023, and have a safe trip back to your country! We hope you learned new things, keep amazing memories and formed new, lasting international friendships! See you again next year?!