unitedthe official magazine of the 3rd NSC of EYP Slovakia

ISSUE I - 13. Dec 2012

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Dear Delegates,

For most of you, this National Selection Conference is the first EYP-Session you are attending. What happens here, may be a completely new world to you - hopefully an inspiring one, yet sometimes confusing. When you look at the session history of our beloved President Weronika or hear people talk-ing about the upcoming International Sessions, it might come to your mind that this Session in Bratislava is only one tiny, unimportant part of a huge international network. But that is not true. This is where it all starts. This is where the magic of falling in love with EYP happens. And this is why it is a pleasure to me to welcome all of you at this Session!

I hope that this magazine will keep you informed, entertained and provide you with memories that will last for a long time. Enjoy reading!

Anna

editorial.

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content.| Youth: The solution, not the problem! ........... 4

| Does “more” always mean “better”? ............. 5

| The chairs ............................................................. 6/7

| The ultimate EYP Survival Kit ...................... 8/9

| The capital of Europe ........................................ 10

| Double O Seven, we have a problem! ........ 11

| Long live the President! ............................ 12/13

| The apprenticeship - you’re hired! .............. 14

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Youth has always been the ve-hicle for change. The govern-ments of the European conti-nent hold the power to set the direction of Europe’s future; however it is the younger Eu-ropean generation that is faced with walking the path set out. No matter how much derision and vitriolic rants young people are faced with, they continue to be the driving force behind the change locomotive. The truth is, the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and the leaders of today could do worse than take note of that.Prior to the 1960s the term ‘adolescent’ didn’t exist. Peo-ple were either adults or chil-dren; no middle ground. It is no exaggeration to say that on a person’s 18th birthday, their world changed. Children were brought up as characteristic facsimiles of their parents. To some extent this still occurs to-day, of course, but so much has changed. From the late 1950s onwards, teenagers began to revolt. A new breed was born; a new group had slipped in to tear through the generational divide. So if the youth of half a century ago can manufacture an age group, why can’t the youth of

today forge their own futures?Youngsters are often bom-barded with accusations of disenchantment, laziness and political apathy. It is all too easy for adults to throw around a l l e g a t i o n s , yet all too dif-ficult to delve deeper into their words and discover the reasons for the state of today’s youth. Why are the youth of today dis-enchanted and politically apa-thetic? One key problem lies in the lack of authority the young-er generation possesses. For example, it is a clear juxtaposi-tion that the age group most af-flicted by high levels of unem-ployment has the least say of any age group in how to solve the crisis. In Slovakia, where national unemployment cur-rently stands at roughly 13.5% of the total labour force, unem-ployment for those between the ages of 15 and 24 currently stands at approximately 27.3%. Just imagine if there were such a disparity between any other group of society and the trend. If unemployment amongst men

were disproportionately lower than unemployment amongst women, there would be spe-cialist committees and focus groups made up of a variety

of men in order to build a recovery strategy and allevi-ate the problem. The European Union is currently consider-ing quota laws for women on company boards. Such legis-

lation clearly is admirable and arguably necessary; however it is strange that the group which seriously requires urgent gov-ernment action is just being left outside in the cold. It is a scary thought that today’s youth may have to, like in the 1960s, be the creators of their own change. One would not suggest revolution as the an-swer to deep-rooted societal issues, but the time may come when young adults must work together in finding their own fu-tures. It has long been said that it is too late for youngsters to be relying on their parents. Per-haps it is too late for youngsters to be relying on their govern-ments.

Youth – the solution, not the problem!

The youth of today has to claim responsibility for its future, demands Luke Thomas.

«It is a scary thought that to-day’s youth may have to be the cre-ators of their own change.»

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What a wonderful world. It has been 45 years since Louis Arm-strong recorded this fabled song. A song which remained famous for half a century. When I read through its lyrics, I see several metaphors relevant up to the present day. Look at all these wonderful rainbows and blooming roses for me and you, don’t they remind you of any ideas related to Europe nowa-days?Our Union has enlarged a lot during the recent 10 years. Af-ter a big widening in the year 2004 came one even more con-troversial in the year 2007. Bul-garia and Romania were finally accepted. If there had been ref-erendums in every single mem-ber state asking whether they should join the EU or not, the outcome would be most likely different. But their membership was needed. For a bigger influ-ence, for cheap labor power and with no doubt for a better world.

At least in the opinion of the majority of the EU leaders, upcoming ac-

cession of Croatia is much less problematic. I personally cannot say that I am against. I visit Cro-atia frequently, I am annoyed with showing my passport eve-ry time when I cross the borders and concerning the practical reasons I would appreciate the common currency in as many countries as possible. But this decision ought not to be only about practical reasons.In the year 1993, the so called Copen-hagen criteria were laid down. They define criteria which all the candidate states should fulfill before their accession. Despite the fact that not even every state in the Union accom-plishes them, members ought not to break them anymore. We can just wonder if everything regarding the Croatian ac-

cession was strictly guided by these rules. Questions can be asked: Does Croatia conform? Have they recovered from the war in the 90s? Do their mi-norities have equivalent laws? I am afraid that the Copenhagen council would not approve.The common negative opinion concerning the enlargement is understandable. People are al-ways afraid of new things. Even the big accession in 2004 would not have happened if anybody

asked the pub-lic. Maybe a pure direct democ-racy is not the best approach to these momen-tous changes of our continent. I am not against

the basic idea of united Europe. I am for accession of other eli-gible states. But I am against breaking rules. Keep them in mind or change them. Do not let the EU to be known as an institution which does not ob-serve its basic enactments.

«I see trees of green, red roses too I see them bloom, for me and for you And I think to myselfWhat a wonderful world!»

Does “more” always mean “better”?Vaclav Huk dreams of a wonderful world - one where stable integration of new members in the EU is possible and the organisation does not break its own rules.

«Maybe a pure di-rect democracy is not the best ap-proach to these mo-mentous changes of our continent.»

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EYP Survival Kit.The ultimate

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The BoardThree most representative and significant people for the session itself. The board consists of the President and two Vice-Presidents. They are the official establishment of the session and they are also leading the Opening Ceremony and the General Assembly.

The ChairsProbably the liveliest bunch of individuals at the session. Their tasks are supervising your work, leading the Team-building and being responsible for the outcome of your discussions called the Resolution.

The JournalistsThat’s us. We are the creators of the issues. We will also be shooting pictures of your activities at the session. We will try to make every interesting moment memorable. Do not hesitate to tell us any gossip or comical facts!

«Trust yourselves!»

«Listen to each other!»

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EYP Survival Kit.

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The first Session is usually the most confusing of them all. To make your three days here a little easi-er, Vaclav Huk made you a list of people you will be meeting at the Session and the whole press team collected a few advices for you!

The PresidentThe leader of the board and kind of a Chair of Chairs. Her tasks are running the Officials Teambuilding, Chairs meetings and making sure that everything is going on as smoothly as possible.

The EditorHer task is not only editing the newspaper but also work-ing as Head of the Press Team. She is inspiring us with the topics, helping us with problems and is in charge of the academic quality of issues.

The OrganisersThe group of people that made this session happen. Their hard work lasted several months or even more. Make sure to give them a smile every time when you see them run-ning around!

«Make friends!»

«Have fun and enjoy the session!»

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the chairs.

Daniel Novák (CRIM)Daniel comes from Slovenia. He came here by bus. Looking

back into his love-history we found out that from the very beginning he knew instinctively how to pick up the girl. On his first date a girl invited him to the bakery. After realizing how awkward it was, he just left and never came back. Since that moment he decided to take the law into his own hands. Probably that is why his dreamed Christmas

present would be Barack Obama, bringing him his resigna-tion letter.

Mathilde Pascal (AFCO)She is the only chair that came here by foot. Mathilde Pascal comes from France and is a real EYP freak. She attended one training and two sessions in a month, followed by a sleepless night of translating for Amsterdam International Session. If she is your chair you might be glad to meet the biggest cuddler of the session. Her Christmas dream is a

visit of George Clooney bringing her a tea-pot and a giant teddy bear. And a hug, of course!

Everyone should know some facts about their chairs! That’s why Kasia Solokowska provides you hereby with some information.

Dominic Degen (CRIM)This mysterious person came here by teleportation from Switzerland. Don’t even ask. We tried and it didn’t work

out at all. He speaks a really strange dialect of Czech and dreams that one Christmas God would appear and give

him a proof that does not exist. Funny fact about your chair? When he was an organiser, he once mistook a

delegate with a teacher (just because he looked like some university lecturer as he claimed) and demanded from him to

settle the participation fee (sic!).

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Naomi Alcaide (CULT)This lovely chairperson came to Papiernicka by an owl train from Germany. From the first sight she might seem an in-

conspicuous and mature person but she confessed that during one EYP session, she spent hours and hours and

hours playing chicken pilots. That is not normal at all. What is more, she is secretly dreaming of Ryan Gosling coming to

her on the Christmas Eve as the Santa Claus, who does not even have to have any presents…. or disguise.

Tobias Satlow (IMCO)It is my greatest pleasure to introduce to you the Austrian chair – Tobias Satlow. Tobias came to Bratislava by Romanian car from Vienna, having 3 hour party during being stuck in the traffic jam on his way. It was hard to get to know anything about him, but eventually he did share one thing with us. He would give any-

thing for having a private evening with Mariah Carey singing to him “All I want for Christmas is youuuuuu!”. All. Night. Long.

Anna Bielska (IMCO)Anna had to take four different types of communication to get here from Poland so you should know that your chair is made out of an indestructible material. When asked about the crazi-

est EYP thing that she has ever done she answered: “EYP is serious. It is not a place for crazy stuff. LOL”. So better think

twice before you disobey her orders! Anna does not believe in Santa Claus. Instead of him, she is writing Christmas letters to

the Pope, begging for the full access to Vatican Library.

Hrvoje Vampovac (CULT)Hrvoje, the man that got lost in Czech Republic during one of the EYP sessions, came to Slovakia from Croatia by car with the chair Dominik Degen. He is a type of a person with high expec-tations. Not only he expects Coco to visit him in the Santa Claus disguise this Christmas, but also he wants her to bring him two

gifts instead of one! Better be good prepared for the GA because nobody knows what he will demand from you.

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So, what is the capital of Eu-rope? How about the city of contemporary arts and diverse architecture that is Berlin? Sor-ry, Germany, it is not. Perhaps Paris, the city of romance? Not quite. Surely it must be London, the touristic epicentre of Eu-rope? Close, but no cigar. The answer: us. We, the people of Europe are the ‘human capi-tal’ which forms such an inte-gral facet of the pan-European economy.As individual as the aforemen-tioned cities are, they all share one notable thing in common: One could be dropped into any of the three, and almost instant-ly be faced with the prospect of youth unemployment. Euro-zone unemployment currently stands at approximately 11.7% whereas Eurozone youth un-employment currently stands at approximately 23.9%; up 2.7% on this time last year. The num-ber of young people not in edu-cation, employment or training (NEETs) has risen rapidly since the beginning of the global fi-

nancial crisis in 2007. We are at great risk of young Europeans becoming a lost generation.Upon realising a mountain of youth unemployment, many governments turn to auster-ity as a way of limiting the government spending on ben-efit claims it creates. Auster-ity measures generally refer to the actions taken by govern-ments to reduce expenditures in an attempt to shrink budget deficits. However, it fails to provide long-term solutions to economic turmoil. Fiscal disci-pline has been pursued by most western economies since the 1980s, yet its effectiveness has encountered questions. Cutting public expenditure sacrifices any state’s responsibility for the unemployed; unemployment is in effect left to sort itself out. Al-ternatively, if governments were to make greater investment in the provision of education for youngsters, these young people would be fully equipped to find themselves work and increase the output of the economy.

The youth of today is the ‘human capital’ we need to be invest-ing in. Short-term increase of a budget deficit can be countered by a long-term reduction in un-employment. Reduced unem-ployment leads to a rise in the productive capacity of an econ-omy and advances its long-run economic growth. Government investment can be specifically directed towards particular in-dustries which would benefit most from a regeneration of the labour market Investment in certain industries can act as a form of rescue package for said industries and redevelop their economic competitiveness. The EU has suggested that govern-ments be mandated to offer jobs, more education, or more training if young people haven’t found a job within four months of graduation. That, of course, will require more government funding – one of the very prob-lems that has drove the EU into recession. Now is the time for the EU and its nations to decide which path to take.

Cutting back on austerity

Luke Thomas illustrates ways to fight youth unemployment.

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The idea of a united Europe raised many years ago and not long after, open borders were systematically implemented into each Member States’ law system. The world shrank and eventually travelling and com-municating became more ac-cessible. It is worth noting that such a revolutionary step as “opening Europe” had a posi-tive influence on some coun-tries’ economies, labour mar-kets and education systems What is more, a huge arise of cultural awareness and toler-ance, as well as overall cohe-sion between the European countries can be observed among citizens of the EU.However, it cuts both ways. Open borders, brought com-plications into modern Europe. Nowadays we are wrestling with problems with illegal im-migration, drug trafficking, smuggling of cars, tobacco, alcohol, etc. along with the slowly disappearance of cul-tural individuality. Thus, bear-ing in mind the positive way of

European development thanks to general openness, it is hard to find an inhibitive solution. If open borders provoke interna-tional crime, why can we not just conduct reverse process? Because if we closed bord now, this would do more harm than good.Even if one might think that or-ganised crime is not a serious problem, it surely is one of the nightmares for the heads of states currently. At this point, three major aspects should be mentioned. First of all: ter-rorism, which has significant influence on the feeling of safety of citizens, as well as a bad impact on national secu-rity in general. Furthermore the issue of smuggling, which brings about a considerable damage of state’s economies. And finally existence of gangs and mafia, which are respon-sible for, among other things, human and organ trafficking.

Now the question appears – how is it possible to combat the increasing international

crime? As I men-tioned before, it is difficult to think of any concrete solution. What

comes to mind is the creation of a controlling organ depend-ent of the EU, which should be responsible for verification of human and product migration. Thus, would this not be une-quivocal with closing borders? This leads to the conclusion that we have to be very care-ful whilst making any decisions referring this topic.Governments should com-monly try to stop international crime,; this issue cannot be solved on a local level. May-be it is time to sacrifice a part of our freedom in order to achieve a more peaceful world and provide all Europeans with a safe environment. As John Lennon once sang: “Imagine all the people, sharing all the world…”.

Double O Seven, we have a problem!

It will not need a secret agent to solve Europe’s problems with criminality whilst pre serving the freedom of movement, hopes Kasia Sokolowska.

«This issue can not be solved on a local level.»

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Are you human or are you President? Kasia Sokolowska had the honour to speak with an outstanding woman: The Session President Weronika Myck!

Long live the President!

1) The delegates would probably love to hear something encouraging them to get more involved into EYP. That is why I would like to ask you about your EYP adventure. How did it start?

My first EYP Session was not even a Session. It was the EYP Day in Warsaw in 2007. However, I do not have any special memories connected to that event. To be honest, I did not even like it. Fortunately I have heard a lot of things about EYP before, that made me continue. I just did not want to give up on something that sounded like the most fun in the world!

2) How many Sessions have you at-tended since then?

It is hard to count! I would say 25. Maybe 30.

3) Which Session you would deem the best one?

As a Delegate I mostly enjoyed the Iberian Forum in 2009 and as an Official I must ad-mit that the Ionian Forum in Corfu this sum-mer was the best one ever. I always repeat this story so some might have already bored of it. We were accommodated on a deserted island. One night all the Chairs stayed up late at night to rephrase the Resolutions. In the

morning Organis-ers came to wake us up because they were going to an aquapark in Corfu and we decided to join them later. In the meantime a storm erupted so 8

Chairs were stuck on the island. We were all so disappointed that we could not have par-ticipated in the Euroconcert that evening. So

«I want all the participants, including both the Delegates and the Officials, to enjoy their time spent here. I am not afraid of anything, I just know it will be fine.»

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we found the only person on the island - a drunken owner of a restaurant. We suited up and had our own Euroconcert there.

4) Which part of the EYP Session do you like the most?

Hmm, it is hard to decide. Teambuilding I would say. It challenges you a lot to think out of the box and to motivate delegates to do things that they do not expect.

5)What is your favourite EYP game?

Well, that is even harder to decide! River game. It creates a lot of laughs, coopera-tion and communication, so a mixture of all the necessary things.

6) And which role do you like the best during the EYP Sessions?

I love Editing but it is too exhausting. I’ve done it 3 times so far and I think it is enough. Chairing is a lot of fun as well.

7) What are your biggest hopes and fears concerning this Session?

Well, I want all the participants, including both the Delegates and the Officials, to enjoy their time spent here. I am not afraid of anything, I just know it will be fine.

8) Okay, let’s finish this EYP ques-tions. Now something more person-al. How do you find living in UK?

It is fine. Fine but much different. I will be done with my studies this summer and I am definitely going back to Poland. There

are just too many things to keep me there - my family, friends. I really miss them. People here are just not the same, that is why it is hard to stand it sometimes. The more time you spend away from home, the more you want to come back, especially when you left at such a young age.

9) What animal would best fit your per-sonality?

Deer. Because it is quite mysterious. He lives in a group but is very individual at the same time. You cannot tame it.

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Youngsters all across the Euro-pean Union (EU) are trapped in a perpetual spiral of unemploy-ment. These young job appli-cants have too little experience to attain the jobs they pursue. Si-multaneously they cannot gain said experience with-out acquiring a job to begin with. How can help them out of this maze?One way of break-ing down employment barriers is to broaden and improve appren-ticeship schemes for 16-25 year olds. As a society, we have pro-gressed from the era of belittling those who work with their hands in industry. Over recent years, such trades as plumbing, land-scape gardening and building have become widely respected for the specific advanced attrib-utes these craftsmen and wom-en require. With this in mind, now is the perfect opportunity to revitalise the EU jobs market by encouraging young people to take up industry specific appren-

ticeships. Such apprenticeships do and would continue to pro-vide much sought after practical experience in the working envi-ronment. As previously stated, a key reason for the immobility

of young Euro-peans in the la-bour market is their lack of ex-perience; any EU wide legis-lation encom-passing the

development of apprenticeship schemes would break through this blockade that has built itself up between potential employ-ees and employers.It is not simply enough, how-ever, to increase the provision of the existing apprenticeship format. In order to progress the long-term viability of ‘willing to work’ youngsters, the schemes currently in place must be reen-ergised and redirected towards solving the labour market prob-lems we face today and will be facing tomorrow. Current EU initiatives – first instigated tens

of years ago – address the is-sues prevalent at the time of their legislation. In this respect, EU working regulations are out-dated and irrelevant in light of the labour market crisis we face today; times have changed and so should the EU’s approach. So how can the quality of appren-ticeship schemes be improved? First and foremost, bureaucrat-ic red tape which restricts EU citizens from taking up work in neighbouring EU states must be stripped. As well as increasing the supply of jobs for jobseekers, this would also re-establish the ideological foundations of the EU – that this is an ever-increas-ing union built by each state to support each state. Finally, the introduction of a pan-European apprenticeship baccalaureate would allow for the smooth up-take of European jobs by EU citi-zens. This method of widening the labour market means a new found aggregate demand would match the previously mentioned increase in aggregate supply.

The Apprenticeship –you’re hired!

«A key reason for the immobility of young Europeans in the la-bour market is their lack of experience.»

Luke Thomas is advocating for better formation of young Europeans to ensure their mobility in the labour market.

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credits.«united»was brought to you by

Luke Thomas (UK)

Kasia Sokolowska (PL)

Vaclav Huk (CZ)

Dear delegates,

Vaclav Huk prepared a little game for you: A Christmas Photo Hunt! You are supposed to take pictures of yourself performing undermentioned actions. Once you are done, send the photos to the journo of your committee. The best of them will be immortalized in the session newspaper!

| Hug an organizer

| Make a snow angel

| Stuff your mouth full with cookies

| Play any EYP game with the stuff of this facility

| Drink a milk tee

| Imitate a present under a Christmas tree

| Stroke Luke’s (journo) head