St. Nicolas Day Dec. 19th
Fairy tale on St. Nicholas Day
Once upon a time there was this enthusiastic group of youngsters called ‘European Youth Parliament – Ukraine’ (EYP-Ukraine). They had brave hearts and smart minds and shared the idea of bringing good to their country. This one day they organized a big session in magic city of Lviv. Gathering friends from across the Europe to talk over serious issues they had one special request, each of them should have brought a toy. By the end of the session EYP Ukraine felt more than happy when they estimated amount of toys – two big boxes filled with teddy bears, dolls and much more.
Willing to bring smiles to children’s faces, enthusiastic Ukrainians thought of the best day to make poor kids happy. “No better date than December 19th” – they decided unanimously – “Where would St. Nicholas come from to the Children’s Rescue Center in Kyiv?”
So this early Sunday morning 7 the bravest packed toys and couple kilos of sweets and set out for the Rescue Center. Long trip didn’t tire them, only increased the good will of heroes. Here they are, facing little kids, whose eyes question “Why do adult ladies stand in front of them now?”. But the “adult ladies” started out quickly. Acquaintance began with games, with each new game they grew into each other with kids more and more. Little ones couldn’t believe their eyes when the “adult ladies” distributed amongst them toys given them by St. Nicholas, smiles appeared on previously sad faces. Fun playing altogether developed love in everyone. The brave ones will remember these children long after and hope this feeling is reciprocal
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1st National Selection Conference of EYP – Slovakia
Dec. 2nd – 5th
WHO? Anna Suprunenko (Chair), Uliana Rusetska (journo)
WHERE? Bratislava, Slovakia
WHY? 1st National Selection Conference
The 1st National selection of EYP Slovakia was a memorable moment for nearly 50 delegates from Slovakia that gathered in Bratislava on December 3-5. The organizers sure tried to make the best impression of the EYP for the delegates, most of which had no such previous experience.

Without a doubt the session was run with a luxury touch to it, with gorgeous hotels in the very center of Bratislava and some of its top party venues. This impact was only enhanced by the official atmosphere of the committee work in the parliament building. Despite the small number of committees, as there were only 4, the delegates easily caught the discussion spirit and offered an interesting and fruitful debate regarding such issues as the Monetary Stabilization Fund of Europe, the integration of Roma people, media independence and renewable energy.
Observing the delegates enjoying the EYP games, showing their best analytical and communication skills, and simply having fun in the snowy city of Bratislava, I am sure that this was a promising start for many future EYP sessions in Slovakia!
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2nd Training of EYP Poland
Dec. 3rd – 5th
3-5 December, 2010 in Wroclaw, Poland was running 2nd Training of EYP Poland, where two Ukrainian guys took part – Oleh Shymanskyi (trainer) and Slava Melnyk (participant).The goal of the training was to help the participants improve their skills regarding facilitating groups, projects and organisations and also to help them learn how to perform a variety of roles within EYP: from being a delegate to chairing, from organising sessions to managing larger projects. There were four extremely experienced trainers including Oleg (UA) and three board members of EYP-PL who worked in couples within these three days holding seminars on seven different topics for around 30 participants (active alumni of EYP-PL). The event took place in Wroclaw – capital city of the region of Lower Silesia, 4th biggest city in Poland. Apart from the pure training participants had the possibility to enjoy Christmas Market and tourist attractions of the city; among them the picturesque Old Town, numerous bridges and churches.
________________________________________________________________ 15th Regional Session of EYP Poland in Bialystok Nov. 17th – 21st
17-21 November, 2010 the delegation of 3 Ukrainian EYPers (Anna Lachykhina, Yulia Pustovoitova, Olena Mikerina) spent 5 beautiful days in an exciting atmosphere of 15th Regional Bialystok Session in Poland. The session had two themes. One was the official theme – Eastern Partnership (EU international policy toward Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine) with six committees working on its problems and prospects. At the General Assembly resolutions of all committees, but one – The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, were passed. Another theme Randomness was a “free time” theme. Our task (all – the chairs, journos and delegates) was to make that session as random as we could – random games, random acting, random dressing up etc. – all that was more than welcome during Bialystok session!
Everything else in the Session full of randomness was usual for any EYPer: productive work in the committee, strong brainstorming, feeling a little tiredness in the end of the day
What can I say – it was productive, fun and very friendly 15th Bialystok Regional Session in Poland in the end of November.
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___________________________________________________________________ 1st Autumn EYP Forum in Lowenberg Oct. 13th – 17th
To all the active members of EYP the Mid-Octber (from the 13th to the 17th) was marked by the holding of the 1st International Autumn Forum of the European Youth Parliament Loewenberg, Germany. A town of Loewenberg, that’s situated not far away from Berlin, unknown to Europe, and even most of Germanywas a gathering place for about 80 youngEuropeans and allowed the participants tosavour the experience.
The five-day Forum began with a hospitable organisers’ meeting of the delegates, introducing them their place of residence, explaining the main rules of behaviour, emphasizing on the fact that everything had to be on time (well, as it is actually normal for Germans J ). The special appeal of the Forum was its particular mood promoted be the talented organizers of that unforgettable event, as well as the host place and the way of living of all the participants: the classes of the High School of Loewenberg (Oberschule Loewenberg)were specially equipped with folding beds and sleeping bags creating the atmosphere that was described as an “indoor camping”, However,that fact strengthened the cohesion between all the participants, as wedidn’t only work but also share theunique experience of actually living together! J So that five indomitable days just flew by like the one day…
Two days of the insane teambuilding at the High School of Loewenberg: the huge stadium, wide rooms, inspiring landscape of colorful autumn Germany gavethe delegates the opportunity nottoputthosefancyborders in their minds,so thatthe most difficult, at firstglance,taskswere easyand funny to solve.
Further – two hyper- focussed days of the committee work to write a resolution. With a big support and giving a piece of advice from friendly and creative chairs, with statementsof opinionand analysing the thoughts ofthefellow-delegates,with debates and discussions,with finding compromisesand reaching consensus – with all that we can call the EYP-inside.
We can’t but mention evening hours, ‘cause they are the integral part of all the sessions of the EYP. Loewenberg Forum pleased us with the grandiose Euroconcert, whereeach and everydelegationpresenteditself in auniqueway – “Hell yeahhh, they really rocked!!!” J Euroconcert was also visited by town-residents,schoolchildren and journalists from the localpublications. Allof them werecapturedby“thegrowingyouthfor the future“. Themedpartiesand the the Eurovillagewas characterized by eatingfamous German jellybears«Haribo»andcrazydances.
And, of course, it’s impossible not to memorize an incredible day which was devoted to a tour of the glorious city of Berlin! Everyone was excited with visiting famous historical places, attending an exclusive lecture at the Bundestad, tasting the real “Apfel Strudel” and much more.
But every fairytale has its happy ending, and such a happy ending, the climax and final part of our Forum was the General Assembly that was held in the Schloss and Gut Liebenberg – one of the most beautiful places in Brandenburg, surrounded by lakes and woodland. As the location itself has experienced a turbulent past, it mirrored the red line of the motions for resolutions on pressing issues of European politics.
After almost a week in Loewenbergit was sad to realize that the forum had ended. Everyone who tried the EYP-activities once knows about that unknown to the others «PED» that comes everytime after the sessions, but at the same time everyone from the EYP knows how to overcome it ASAP – just to be the same active in their personal lives!
P.S.: my personal big “thanks” to all the organizers and participants of the Forum which surrounded me, left such warm and bright memories in the bottom of my heart, to my fellow-delegates which now I can call “real friends” J. And, also, huge thanks to the EYP-Ukraine for giving me the opportunity to express myself! (Anastasiia Bezpalchuk)
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4th National Selection Session of EYP Cyprus in Larnaca
Sept. 2nd – 5th
On September 2-5 2010 the National Session of EYP Cyprus was held in Larnaca on the sunny shore of Cyprus. Several school delegations were selected at this National Session in order to represent EYP Cyprus at various international sessions and forums across Europe. Among them the delegation from the English School of Larnaca was selected to represent Cyprus at the 65th International Session of the EYP in Lviv, which was organised by EYP-Ukraine.

Among the members of the Jury was Anastasiia Ianovytska, who shared her impressions with us: “To attend a session in Cyprus, in the very South of Europe, only several kilometres away from Lebanon and Syria was a truly remarkable experience! Hospitality and friendliness of Cypriots, as well as their peaceful attitude towards the situation in the North of Cyprus is really impressive. Communicating with the active youth of Cyprus showed me that even in such a small country on the edge of Europe people are still concerned about pan-European issues. It wasn’t easy to select delegations, since all of them very very well prepared for the debates and other parts of the session. However in the end the Jury managed to reach an agreement and to select the best of the best. I look forward to seeing them again at the session in Lviv!”

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14th Regional Session of EYP Poland in Warsaw
Aug., 24th – 29th
In August wawesome city of Warsaw hosted a regional session. A total number of participants equaled a 100 people who came from 14 countries of Europe.Session was held under a topic of Cultural Heritage in the United Europe. Debates in the committees ware heated not only by relevant arguments but with abnormal hear that reached Europe this summer. Though for us it never appeared in the way of friendly smile towards each other. Warsaw session had permeated each participant with that special cozy spirit.
Delegates had an opportunity to observe a mock animosity between chairs’ and press team. As chairs were fully devoted to rules of “Gossip Girl” and promoted them an each coffee break, whereas journalists maintained frightening everyone.

Palac Kultury has nicely hidden us away from the heat during Opening Ceremony, Teambuilding and General Assembly. This mighty building will keep our hearts tied to Warsaw for quite a while…
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64th International Session of the European Youth Parliament in Frankfurt
Jul., 30th – Aug., 8th
EYP-Ukraine Delegation in Frankfurt – ‘Turning Europe inside out’
From 30th July – 8th August, Europe’s financial centre Frankfurt hosted the 64th International session of European Youth Parliament. The session united more than 250 youngsters from all over Europe. Ukraine was represented by the biggest delegation in the history of EYP-Ukraine. There were 17 Ukrainian young people, 14 out of which were delegates, 2 international organizers and a chairperson.
Two first days of the session the participants had a great team-building on the bank of Main River. On the first Saturday of the session, the most delicious event was held – the Eurovillage with a big range of meals and drinks from almost all Europe. Among other interesting events of the session were Euroconcert and World Café.
High level of organization of the session gave the opportunity to the delegates to feel the atmosphere of one big friendly family. Despite early wake-up calls, all the participants were smiling and inspired to discuss important issues during committee work.
The delegates had the opportunity to be the young leaders displaying their oratorical abilities during the General Assembly that took place in the old Paul’s Kirche building. The delegates attentively listened to the speeches of their fellow delegates and actively debated on the resolutions.