creationRe:wind - Third issue

Editorial

Long time no speak, dear delegates! Welcome back into the world of the Media Team of Braga. We know it’s been a long and hard past couple of weeks without the comfort of the Braga bubble that engulfed us for those 4 fabulous days. Life just isn’t quite the same without daily pastry delicacies, parties and busting a move to One Direction, is it?!

But, we want to focus on the positives. Now the glorious session has come to an end, we hereby present you with the third and final issue from Re:Creation!

Haven’t we all been intrigued by the inner thoughts of Captain Christian Macht?! Look no further, ex-plorers – we have been lucky enough to speak with him IN PERSON and hold an exclusive interview, especially for you. We also conclude our session series ‘Crazy Faces’ with an insight into the ‘why’ behind the questionable faces we pull for that all-important hilarious snapshot.

We’d like you to think of this issue as a re:flection upon your 4 days in the beautiful city of Braga. Take some time away from your hectic lives to really think about the session and what it offered you – be it lifelong friends, confidence, an insight into the world of others’ opinions or simply a chance to put yourself out of your comfort zone. It is time to re:wind!

With all our love and luck for your futures both within and outside of EYP,

Sophie and Hollie

You know what? It just has to be said. You were all incredibly amazing!!!

A session never to forgetBy Thomas Willems

Re:forming EuropeBy Edoardo Zaniboni

Crazy faces Part IBy José Eduardo Feio

What is education?By Francisca Patricio

Before vs. AfterBy Catarina Ferreira

Oh Captain, my captainBy Jeroen De Marteau

Crazy faces Part IIBy José Eduardo Feio

Your European familyBy Marta Ocon

Crazy faces: the storyBy José Eduardo Feio

An Extra “Thank You”By Francisca Patricio

45

56

78

810

1011

CONTENTS

You know what? It just has to be said. You were all incredibly amazing!!!

4

A couple of days ago, you arrived in Braga - most of you with-out any prior EYP experience. First of all, I must say that we are incredibly proud of your enthusiasm. Your wonderful Head Organisers have done their very best to organise a session full of knowledge, joy and unexpected surprises. We hope you have come to learn that is a place for everyone in EYP. We are a huge family that supports each other in everything. We all noticed that all of you cooperated wonderfully with your chairs and fel-low delegates from the very beginning, which was an absolute pleasure to see!

It is not easy to create functioning teams that work with such big smiles on everyone’s faces. Many friendships have been cre-ated during this session and I’m sure that you will see each other again - the adventure certainly doesn’t need to end here!

It was with great pleasure to see how fantastic your resolutions were; they reflected your excellent knowledge about the topics and were the base for some fantastic debates during General As-sembly. IF there’s anything you should take from the session it should be this: Be yourself; do not hesitate to give your opinion and to make your voice heard. This is the moment where you need to show off your skills, there is no reason to be nervous, everyone makes mistakes and you do not need to be ashamed about them.

We all want to thank you again for your patience towards the officials, it is not easy to take care of so many things in such a short period.

As you may have noticed, EYP does not just work, work, work. The Euroconcert, Eurovillage and the 90s theme party gave you all the opportunity to relax after a long day of hard work. You wowed us all with your 90’s outfits and danced like true ‘Just Dancers’. Not forgetting the session’s Euroconcert - all your performances were original and surprised us in their own way. From the deep tones of the saxophone to the awesome dance moves and singing performance, it was a night to remember.

With the session now drawn to a close, I hope you have had a very special and unique experience of EYP and continue to contribute to the organisation and find much ‘more to explore’ in your EYP journey.

A session never to forgetBy Thomas Willems

5

We speak to some of the officials of Braga 2014 and ask them to re:open their minds and tell us what they want to ‘re:’ in their own countries.

I want to re:raise the awareness into political problems - Nanuka Gurgenidze (Georgia)

I want to re:form the terrible queueing systems in all other member states of the European Union

– Hollie Brown (UK)

I want to re:form the school system in Germany - Oliver Kötter (Germany)

I want to re:novate political institution in Albania - Ilir Kola (Albania)

I want to re:generate the ruling political class in Spain. - Marta Ocon (Spain)

I want to re:form public administration in Italy.- Edoardo Zaniboni (Italy)

I want to re:form public health in Russia – Anna Galkina (Russia)

I want to re:invest in the dynamism of the young generation - Panagiotis Patikos (Greece)

I want to re:duce the really big amounts of Governments we have in our country

- Jeroen De Marteau (Belgium)

Re:forming Europe

Crazy Faces Part I

By Edoardo Zaniboni

By José Eduardo Feio

Beatriz Faneca -

I hate when people don’t listen to what I am

saying

Diogo Macedo -

I hate that i need to follow others in order to

be accepted

André Gonçalves -

My dream as a child was to work in restaurants all

around the world

Catarina Paixão -

I would love to live in the US

6

When we think about education, we think about schools. Children go there every day, during a reasonable part of their lives. But that is just one hierarchi-cally structured, chronologically graded part of the world of education.

Formal education systems adapted too slowly to the socio-economic changes around them; they were held back not only by their own conservatism, but also by the inertia of societies themselves. The search for ‘new’ techniques was, there-fore, on.

In 1967 at an international conference in Williamsburg USA, ideas were set out for what was to become a widely anal-ysis of the growing ‘world educational crisis’. There was concern about unsuit-able curricula: a realisation that educa-tional growth and economic growth were not necessarily in step and jobs did not emerge directly as a result of education-al inputs. As a result, non-formal educa-tion became a part of the international discourse on education policy; planners and economists in the World Bank began to make a distinction between informal, non-formal and formal education.

“I’ve learned more in 10 days of EYP than in 15 years of school.”

Non-formal education is voluntary learning that takes place in a diverse range of environments and situations for which teaching, training and learning is not necessarily their sole or main activity.

The range of initiatives and programs that have adopted the title ‘non-formal’ are many and various. They look particu-larly at health, education, literacy, rural development and the role of women in development. Which leads us onto the European Youth Parliament, a “non-par-tisan and independent educational pro-gram for young European citizens”, al-ternatively known as “the most amazing experience a young adult can ever have.”

Together with formal and non-formal education, we still have informal educa-tion, which corresponds to the lifelong process where every individual acquires attitudes, values, skills and knowledge from daily experiences with our family and friends, from the library to our local supermarket.

A study made by the European Youth Forum, conducted in cooperation with the University of Bath and GHK Consult-ing, showed that there is a strong posi-tive correlation between involvement in non-formal educational youth organisa-tions and the employment possibilities for young people, as it develops charac-teristics like communication, organisa-tional or planning skills, decision-making abilities, confidence and team work.

So, what is your education? Whilst you can learn your textbook knowledge from schools and universities, it’s the non-for-mal educational organisations like the European Youth Parliament that truly teach us the skills we need to become outstanding individuals we’re all capable of becoming.

What is education?By Francisca Patricio

7

When you found out you were selected to this National Se-lection Conference, what were your initial thoughts?

Since my school delegation knew in a very advanced stage that we were going to be present at this session, I didn’t have much time to wonder what this experience would be. Once I started reading all the material carefully, I became feeling anxious, nervous and really, really excited about this experience… I couldn’t wait for 6th November!

When you found out you were selected to this National Se-lection Conference, what were your initial thoughts?

I was so proud for being selected that it is hard to put into words how pleased I was for this great opportunity! As soon as I found out, I created high expectations because we are given the chance to actually do something to make Europe a better place.

When you found out you were selected to this National Se-lection Conference, what were your initial thoughts?

I was so proud of myself for being selected to represent my colleagues and mainly for having the task of using my English skills to improve and help to understand and solve EU’s hard issues. My biggest concerns were hoping that I would get along with the other delegates so that we could work together and achieve our goals.

When you found out you were selected to this National Se-lection Conference, what were your initial thoughts?

Happiness. This is the feeling that took over me when I realised I was coming to the city of Braga. I just couldn’t believe it, I was in paradise. But then insecurity got the better of me. I was spending four days with very efficient people that knew exactly what they were doing; I would have to push myself to my limits if I wanted to have the pleasure to represent my country.

And after participating and observing these last days, what can you say about your initial perspective?

I have to admit, I thought these days would be a little less political, that we wouldn’t be able to completely understand the basic concepts about EU, the power that we have as European citizens. However, the spirit of this type of events is absolutely amazing, I was able to see that

this is a very special family that, despite sharing no blood relations, we can overcome every obstacles together!

And after participating and observing these last days, what can you say about your initial perspective?

“Learned how to live!” – this is what this session gave me. It’s simply one of the best things that came across my life!

And after participating and observing these last days, what can you say about your initial perspective?

It’s even better because we can actually see and talk to other people and know our different opinions, what everyone thinks they will gain with this experience, their fears and hopes.

The competition isn’t as strong as I thought it would be which gave me a lot of confidence during these days and surely for the difficulties that will come across my life!

And after participating and observing these last days, what can you say about your initial perspective?

The entire experience went much better than I thought! I had so much fun that I wish I never had to leave. But I know this isn’t goodbye; it’s a see you soon!

“You cannot create experience. You must undergo it” - Albert Camus

BEFORE AFTER By Catarina Ferreira

vs.

Inës Soares

Gabriela Silva

Nuno Torre

Inës Ramalho

8

Let’s start with the basics. Can you describe EYP in one word?

Curiosity (or boat).

All of the EYPers at this session are on a journey. Do you consider yourself the captain of the ship?

“Meh”. I’m the old guy with the beard who is telling their story. So in that regard I’m Homer telling the story of the Iliad and the Odyssey.

All of the delegates can be captain on their own respec-tive journeys!

If this ship was sinking and you were about to be rescued, but you could only take 3 items. What would those be?

1) The HO’s, because I need something to float on; (only joking)

2) A non-alcoholic cocktail;

3) A newspaper to read, but laminated because of the water… Or perhaps a lamintated hat. Laminting

is cool!

Your surname in German means power, how does that influence you as a president?

It doesn’t. My parents had a great sense of humor. None of my names are true. I’m not baptised and still they called me

Christian. My second name is Ernst, which from German translates into ‘serious’... That simply doesn’t describe me well and my last name is Power, which I’m very happy to share instead of abusing it.

So you are more of an Austin Powers character then?

No not at all! ... my teeth are better.

Alright. Cats or dogs? Portugal or Germany?

Dogs and Portugal. German people are robots, Portugal however is a place full of magic and as a robot I’m really intrigued by this place. Germans are also perfec-

tionists and dogs are “stoopit”, so the com-plete opposite. But they are also very live-ly and therefor I’m trying to be more dog. Woof!

What question do you hate to answer?

“So what do you study?”, because a person is never just one story. And he’s always more than just what he studies!

Oh Captain, My CaptainBy Jeroen De Marteau

Crazy Faces Part IIBy José Eduardo Feio

Francisco Santos -

When i was a child I wanted to be a magician

Ricardo Coutinho -

I am a different person when I listen to music

Leonor Domingos -

My cat makes me smile

Maria Beatriz Alves -

I believe that in this world to be happy we

need to be idiots

Maria Carmo Marrana -

When I think of happiness I think about

all my friends and family

Pedro Oliveira -

In the future I want to have lots of small dogs!

9

If you could have personally experienced anything, what would you want to have seen?

I would have loved being a student at MIT in the 1970s when the first hackers where discovering computers. I would have loved to be a part of this. It’s just amazing!

Would you rather be ugly and live forever of be extremely attractive and only have one year to live left?

I feel this is a loaded question. *gives a suspicious look*. What are you implying?!

I think I would rather be extremely attractive and totally fabulous because living forever must be quite sad. All the other people, including all your friends, are dying alongside you. That must be very lonely!

What is the last Snapchat picture you took with your phone?

Haha, well... I only downloaded Snapchat a week ago. I’m very thankful to Oliver and Jeroen for introducing me to this great piece of technology a week ago. Especially Jeroen is one of my most favourite persons at the session. And the coolest Editorial Assistant in the media team (Red. Jeroen is the only Editorial Assistant in the team). Of course my last snapchat was a picture of Jeroen. #SuckUpToTheInterviewer

How far east can you go before you’re heading west?

22.000 km? I think? Erm.. Let me think about it a little. What? *makes spinning gestures with his fingers*, *repeats the question out loud*, *nervous laughter*. Stop typing! I refuse to answer this question and I refuse to further approve of this interview. Thank you, goodbye!

Mafalda Rodrigues -

To be happy I just need coffee and chocolate,

nothing else

Nuno Torre -

I am rare species of homo erectus

Francisco Cardoso -

I am a funny person

Nanuka Gurgenidze-

The thing I most love about life is human interaction

Teresa Melo -

I hate waking up early

Luís Oliveira -

I feel like a tyrannosaurus piteu

José David -

I have no idea about what I want to be in the

future

Sofia Maia -

I know that I am annoying but I hate when

people say so

10

EYP can be so many different things for each of us, however it is, undoubtedly, a life changing experience that engulfs you from the very beginning.

EYP started back in the 80s in a small school in Paris. The first Internation-al Session was held in 1988 in the same location, as well as the two that subse-quently followed. Since then, more and more International Sessions have been held, with the latest in Barcelona in July of this year and the upcoming hosted in Izmir, Turkey, in April of 2015. As you all are now aware, the European Youth Par-liament also organises smaller sessions such as international forums, national se-lection conferences and regional sessions in each country.

More than 40,000 youngsters from all around Europe make this unforgettable sessions possible, with around 5,000 ac-tive members in each participating coun-try. In short, it’s those that stay ac-tive within the organisation that are the key to keeping EYP alive and kicking.

Why do we stay involved in EYP?

An organisation consisting of a stagger-ing 5,000 members is a big achievement; it is clear that there is, indeed, a special ‘something’ that catches the delegates’ at-tention and encourages them to continue with their EYP career.

EYP sessions are famously known to break down social barri-ers and bring people from all over Europe together within a very short and intense time pe-riod, creating a network of young intelli-gent and driven young leaders.

The key to making EYP continue to run so successfully is the way it unites us, as young Europe-ans. Traditions and cultur-al beliefs are joined, prejudices are all set aside to leave space for new ideas, differ-ent perspectives are challenged, accept-ed and discussed. As I always describe it to my friends, it is a place where you can find yourself. Be it starting friend-ships, achieving personal goals or making an impact on the organisation itself, you can always gain something positive from EYP.

Above all, we are all contributing to our own futures, as well as the future of our fellow Europe-ans. Our ideas are being taken into consideration and reflected in a written form that can be de-bated and therefore improve with innovative con-cepts. No matter what those goals are, EYP truly has a place in the journey to achieving them.

Funny. Stupid. Unexpected.

We all do them from time to time. Some of us more than others.

But why do we act like this and what does it mean?

Some see them only as a reflection of someone else’s happiness. It is true that some crazy faces are made by happy peo-ple but is happiness the most important condition for the appearance of this bi-zarre in our faces?

Finding a place in our lives to do cra-zy faces is essential. We don’t make them everywhere, do we? They show a certain level of ease. They show that we are com-fortable enough with the people we are with to do things that would embarace ourselves if we were somewhere else. To go a bit wild. To make people laugh. To show a funnier side of our self.

But do they really show who we are?

Crazy faces are like masks. They effec-tively hide our feelings and our personal-ity behind a apparently funny expression. They make us seem enthusiastic and even happy. They make others believe we are in the world as a fish are in an ocean. But no one is only smiles nor crazy pos-es. We are not just what our crazy faces show.

But this does not mean that making cra-zy faces is bad.

It is amazing to find a place where we are comfortable enough to do them. Cra-zy faces are incredibly funny. This simply means that there is so much more behind them than you can see at first.

And as there is so much more behind it, there is so much more to explore.

So don’t be satisfied just with first im-pressions. Look deeper and let yourself be surprised by what you find.

Dare yourself to be an explorer!

Your European Family

Crazy Faces: The Story

By Marta Ocon

By José Eduardo Feio

João Moreira -

I love the reach that one single individual can

have

Geny Sukhov -

I am a bit bipolar, I both hate and love certain

parts of my personality

11

When I ask myself, “who is the respon-sible for my involvement in EYP?”, for all these amazing experiences I have had over the last few years, all the things I have learned and all the lifelong friends I have met, two people distinguish them-selves: my teachers.

Why? Without them, I would have never have become involved in this life-chang-ing organisation. When my teachers de-cided to participate in EYP, they changed not only the dynamic of my school, but also the lives of the seven students they brought to the session.

I feel so proud of them for having the courage and commitment to providing their students with a platform to share their ideas and opinions, despite their in-creasing workload.

I still remember the day they called me to say I had been selected to be one of eight in a school with 2,700 students. I couldn’t believe it! They saw in me all the qualities that an EYPer should have. Having now participated as a delegate three times and being part of the media team in Braga, I’d like to say ‘thank you’ from the bottom of my heart.

So, what is the motivation of teachers in participating in this programme? In formal education, there is a standardised process of evaluation of students, and so, they cannot show their full capabili-ties, furthermore, it is a motive of pride to teachers to see the growth that their students acquire; they can do things that were thought to be impossible.

So, whilst you’re having a fantastic time during your future sessions, spare a thought for those who introduced you to the world of EYP – you wouldn’t be here without them.

An Extra “Thank You”By Francisca Patricio

PARTNERS

BRAGA 201431st NATIONAL SELECTION CONFERENCE OF EYP PORTUGAL5-9 NOVEMBER, 2014

Under the patronage of the Municipality of Braga and Instituto Português do Desporto e da Juventude I.P.

With the support of Universidade do Minho, Escola Secundária Carlos Amar-ante, SYnergia, Hotel Residencial Centro Comercial da Avenida, Conservatório de Música Calouste Gulbenkian, Fundação Bracara Augusta, Xerox and Xdoc, and Chocolate com Pimenta

Associação Portuguesa do Parlamento Europeu dos Jovens/EYP Portugal