December 2009

European Youth Parliament – Ukraine (EYP-Ukraine) organizes a follow-up session of Inter-Rail project that gathers 150 participants. That is 100 Ukrainian delegates (24 Ukrainian oblasts represented by 4-5 people each) and 50 foreign delegates and officials.

The topic of the session is ‘Dialogue between Cultures – Way to Tolerance and Democracy.
The format of the project is that of regional session, although contest of projects among Ukrainian oblasts representatives makes it a unique event. The idea of the project contest aims to give mini-grants to best projects (ecological/social/educational etc.) that can be implemented by young Ukrainians in their home towns as well as to further spread the idea of European democracy to Ukrainian regions.

For any further information contact Maria Romanenko, the Head-organiser of the event: inter.rail2009@eyp-ua.org or +38(050)4411889.

TOPICS and COMMITTEES

Committee on Foreign Affairs I (AFET I)
The spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction and their means of delivery is one of the most serious international threats.

Taking into account the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, what can the EU do to halt nuclear proliferation or is a world without nuclear weapons a utopian impossibility?

Committee on Foreign Affairs II (AFET II)
“It was utterly unacceptable that European gas consumers were held hostage to this dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Therefore we have to learn the lessons of this dispute. Indeed, I think that all sides have lessons to learn... New Year is for fireworks and celebration, not gas crises. This cannot become an annual event. We have to stop simply talking about energy security in Europe, and start doing something about it.” (Jose Manuel Barroso, President of European Commission)

Keeping the 2009 Gas crisis in mind, how can the EU influence Russian-Ukrainian relations in order to avoid similar cases in the future?

The Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO)
Toxic toothpaste and melamine milk scandals have almost annihilated the consumers’ trust in Chinese products; nonetheless trade with the People’s Republic of China is of the utmost importance for European countries.

Measures need to be taken in order to ensure that EU safety standards are met for all its imports. Is there any need for a more protectionist policy in order to discourage the trade of unsafe products within the EU?

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL)
“Young people have a significant contribution to make to the Lisbon goals of boosting jobs and growth and to sustainable development, as they make up the future work force, and are the future source of much-needed research capabilities, innovation and entrepreneurship." (European Youth Pact)

An increasing percentage of students have contracts for temporary, part-time and weekend jobs. In a time in which youngsters are more vulnerable due to the economic recession, how can the EU encourage employers to keep hiring young workers for part-time or short-term employment?

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)
‘All of the initiatives on migration have been based around the politics of fear, rather than the politics of reason or the politics of hope.’ (Graham Watson, MEP)

Striking a balance between combating illegal immigration and respecting the rights of the refugees and asylum seekers. On the European Pact of Immigration and Asylum: how should the EU develop a comprehensive migration policy that responds to Europe’s skills needs and that fights illegal immigration without turning Europe into a fortress?

The Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI)
“One must beware of ministers who can do nothing without money, and those who want to do everything with money.” (Indira Gandhi, former Indian Politician and Prime Minister)

What strategy should the EU adopt in order to reduce all forms of corruption in all governmental and European institutions at every level?

The Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)
‘We have to challenge the advocates of violent extremism, those who spread this misinterpretation of Islam, this idea that there is something heroic about murder. I know this is difficult. Proponents of violence often impose their views through coercion and intimidation. Terrorism dislikes debate and discussion.’ (Jacqui Smith, British Home Secretary)

Preventing violent extremism in Europe and beyond: how should the EU act in order to educate diverse population on the principles of equality, tolerance and non-discrimination?

The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety I (ENVI I)
‘Mankind continues to act as if there is another world just around the corner that we can use when we have ruined this one. But there isn’t.’ (Gerald Durrell, English Naturalist)

Keeping in mind the Kyoto Protocol and the upcoming UN climate change conference in Copenhagen in December 2009, what can the EU do to ensure the efficiency of the international efforts to increase sustainability and reach the EU’s 20/20 goal?

The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety II (ENVI II)
Ukraine – #1 on the list of European countries with highest HIV/AIDS rates. UN calls this the most dangerous epidemic in Europe. The number of cases of illness and death due to tuberculosis in Ukraine is 8-10 times higher compared to the EU, which defines it as an epidemic. On October 30, 2009, the epidemic of swine flu has been officially announced in Ukraine.

Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and now the swine flu epidemic in Ukraine: our health is at stake. How can the EU support Ukraine’s immediate measures in preventing the spread of these epidemics as well as providing all victims with the necessary treatment? What can be done in order to prevent outbreaks of these and other illnesses in the future?

The Committee on Security and Defense (SEDE)
“NATO has a fundamental role in the security architecture of Europe. 94% of the EU's population live in States that are members of the alliance” (Ari Vatanen, MEP)

In today's trouble world wracked with terrorism, environmental destruction and where failed states threaten havoc, should the EU ensure the development of a closer relationship with NATO avoiding competition?

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

02.12.2009 (Wednesday)
till 19:00 Arrival of officials
19:00 - 20:00 Dinner
20:00 - Teambuilding of officials

03.12.2009 (Thursday)
08:30 – 9:30 Breakfast for officials
till 9:30 Arrival of Ukrainian delegates
9:30 – 11:00 Presentation of projects by Ukrainian delegates
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee-break
11:30 – 13:00 Presentation of projects by Ukrainian delegates
till 13:00 Arrival of international delegates
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 Transfer to the City Hall for Opening ceremony
15:00 – 16:30 Opening ceremony in the City Hall
16:30 – 17:30 Transfer to the Teambuilding venue
17:30 – 18:00 Coffee-breaks with sandwiches
18:00 – 19:00 Teambuilding
19:30 – 20:30 Transfer to the Cuba restaurant
20:30 - … EYP-café

04. 12.2009 (Friday)
08:00 – 08:45 Breakfast
08:45 – 10:45 Teambuilding in the committees
10:45 – 11:00 Coffee-break
11:00 – 13:00 Teambuilding in the committees
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 16:00 Committee work
16:00 – 16:15 Coffee-break
16:15 – 18:30 Committee work
18:30 – 19:30 Dinner
19:30 – 20:00 Preparations for Eurovillage
20:00 – 21:00 Committee presentations
21:00 - … Eurovillage

05.12.09 (Saturday)
08:00 – 09:00 Breakfast
09:00 – 11:30 Committee work
11:30 – 11:45 Coffee-break
11:45 – 14:00 Committee work
14:00 – 15:00 Lunch
15:00 – 18:00 Committee work – sum up and resolution writing
18:00 – 19:00 Dinner
19:00 – 20:00 Preparations for Farewell party
20:00 - … Farewell party

6.12.09 (Sunday)
07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast and check out
08:00 – 09:00 Transfer to General Assembly (GA) venue
09:00 – 09:30 Opening ceremony of GA
09:30 – 11:45 GA (committees I, II, III)
11:45 – 12:00 Coffee-break
12:00 – 13:30 GA (committees IV,V)
13:30 – 14:30 Lunch
14:30 – 16:45 GA (committees VI, VII, VIII)
16:45 – 17:00 Coffee-break
17:00 – 18:30 GA (committees IX, X)
18:30 – 19:30 Closing ceremony of GA
19:30 - … Departures of the participants


* Please note that there can be changes in the program