I would like to welcome you to the website of the 23rd National Selection Conference of EYP Greece!

This spring, you will have the chance to meet over 100 fellow Greek delegates in order to engage in fruitful discussions on things that matter. In the city where democracy was born, you will take the lead in proposing innovative ideas in complex problems of our European daily lives, making a difference and meeting new people, new friends.

The motto of the European Union is “United in Diversity”. European Youth Parliament, since its creation, has been actively proving this via collaborating, debating and unanimity. This is a stand for the youth to take matters in their own hands and have a say in the course our world has set. Through the 3 full days of our session, a packed program of basic EYP elements and various social events will create a perfect environment for learning and fun.

I look forward to this diverse and unique experience and cannot wait to meet and welcome you in person in Athens.

Sincerely yours,

Konstantinos Emmanouil,
President of Athens 2011 – 23rd National Selection Conference of EYP Greece

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is now something more than a month left until the next National Selection Conference of EYP Greece. This year, the 23rd NSC will be held in Athens, 12-14 of March. More or less, 160 participants from all over Europe will set their foot in the beautiful city of Athens and make this session a reality. Once again, a colorful bunch of new young people will have their say over a variety of European Affairs and be given an opportunity to join the community of EYP.
The National Selection Conference will help young delegates get in touch with the decision making process of the EU, establish contact with other young Europeans and also provide the Greek EYP community with a group of 30 people that will represent EYP Greece in regional sessions and among them a group of 8 that will be chosen to attend the International Session in Zagreb, Croatia, next October.

It is therefore time for us to cut the red ribbon and let it roll!

EYP Greece would like to invite the whole of the EYP Community to join us in our efforts to make this session a wonderful and memorable experience for both the experienced members and the first-timers.
As the preparations for the 23rd NSC gather momentum, we invite you all to unleash your creativity and innovation, think of your up-coming visit to Athens and start planning.

You can also visit our page on Facebook, right here.

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Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)

In reponse to recent talks in the USA, how should Europe work with the international community to prevent further acceleration of instability and create a lasting peaceful settlement in the “New Middle East”?

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development  (AGRI)

With the world demand for food expected to double by 2050, what role should the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) play in providing Europe’s population in an affordable and sustainable way after 2013?

Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)

Making EU a competitive and knowledge based economy: How should the EU shape its post-Lisbon Agenda educational policies to further foster innovation?

Committee on Development (DEVE)

The year of the Haitian earthquake and floods in Pakistan: how should the EU organise itself to react most appropriately to future humanitarian crises?

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)

With the European Commission proposing an enactment of new tax policies and bank resolution funds to tackle future economic crises, how should the EU seek to achieve long-term economic sustainability?

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs I (EMPL)

With over 20% of young Europeans aged 16-24 unemployed, what more can be done to ensure that this generation of potential workers does not become irreversibly excluded from the labour market?

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)

Smoking bans and alcohol restrictions: To what extent does the State have a role to educate and protect its citizens’ health and what strategy should it adopt?

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)

Living in an age on feminism: How can the EU strike a balance between protecting women’s rights and avoiding discrimination towards men?

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs I (LIBE I)

In light of recent French moves to repatriate Roma, what should be done to ensure that minority communities of Europe have equal rights all over Europe?

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs II (LIBE II)

With rising concerns over increasing government control of Internet, how should Europe find the balance between freedom of expression on-line and the strengthening of Internet security?

Welcome to the website of the 22nd National Selection Conference of EYP Greece!

In December 2010, in the stunning city of Thessaloniki, you will be coming together with over 100 fellow Greeks from all across the region, to discuss and devise innovative solutions to some of the most challenging problems our continent is facing. At the same time, you will get a chance to meet with participants from different European countries, share traditions, explore different cultures, and of course, make new friends.

Ever since its foundation, the European Youth Parliament has given youth all across Europe a chance to have a say in the forming of their future society. The best way to that, is to understand differences, and be able to act as one, by communicating and collaborating. And Thessaloniki, a city that has been the center of numerous civilisations for centuries, will surely continue to provide the participants a perfect environment for the EYP spirit to come alive. The three day packed programme including the basic EYP elements, as well as social events will allow for a great learning experience and a lot of fun.

With those prospects ahead of us, I look forward to this truly unique experience and am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to welcome all of you in person in Thessaloniki.

Sincerely,

Oğulcan Torun
President of Thessaloniki 2010 – 22nd National Selection Conference of EYP Greece

It is my great pleasure to welcome everyone to the 21^st National Selection Conference of the European Youth Parliament Greece, in Athens. This coming March, you will come together with youngsters from all over Europe to prove that despite the huge crisis that Greece and Europe are facing, young people are willing and  able to work together for a better future.

During these four days, you will take part in teambuilding, where you will get to know your fellow committee members through a range of challenging activities. You will have the opportunity to discuss important European issues during committee work and come up with a resolution which you will present and debate at the General Assembly.

With the organizing team working really hard to ensure that this will be an unforgettable experience for all of us, I hope that you will see this as a great opportunity to gain some unique experiences, to learn more about Europe, meet new people and most importantly enjoy yourselves and bring out the best in you.

For me it is a great honour to be presiding this session and I anticipate that you, like me, are excited and cannot wait for the session to begin. I am looking forward to welcoming you all to Athens and to EYP.

Eleni Aristodemou
President of the session

1. Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Ι (ENVI I)

“Smoke Free Environments; the implementation of an unrestricted smoking ban on all public places. Would a pan- European initiative become a worldwide one?”

2. Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety ΙΙ (ENVI II)

“EU Involvement in Amazon Rain Forests. How should the EU protect the planet’s natural resources, preventing deforestation, whilst balancing global demands?”

3. Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)

“Too many graduates for too few jobs? Is Europe’s current focus on a ‘knowledge based society’ restricting the development of an innovative society? Is it now the time for European countries to reassess whether increased participation in tertiary education is beneficial for Europe’s future?”

4. Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI)

“With copyright infringement becoming a growing risk to innovation and investment: how could European countries regulate open source media without stifling competition?”

5. Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)

“How should the EU deal with current candidate countries in the light of the membership application of Iceland? Should the current membership criteria be re-assessed to ensure a balance between equality and conditionality?”

6. Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)

“Emergency code to reduce CO2 emissions: What role should the nuclear energy have in fighting climate change?”

7. Committee on Development (DEVE)

“The EU-Africa Partnership in light of China’s growing influence in Africa. How should the EU position itself to support Africa’s efforts to achieve sustainable and equitable development?”

8. Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN)

“Under the light of delivering the Greek ransom: How should the EU handle similar situations, ensuring its role as a security factor instead of a ransom protector, whilst promoting international trade stability?”

9. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

“Living in an information age: What actions need to be taken to guarantee an adequate law system to today’s understanding of personal privacy and privacy protection?”

10. Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO)

“Voting age at 16: in light of pressing demands for increased active citizenship from the youth of Europe, how should EU member states react to the growing calls for wider participation?”

It is my greatest pleasure to welcome you all to Thessaloniki for the 20^th National Selection Conference of European Youth Parliament in Greece.

In November this year, you will be travelling to the historical city of Thessaloniki and come together with young people from all over Greece for an intensive and fun weekend. Throughout the session, you will take part in teambuilding, where you will get to know your fellow committee members better through various challenging exercises. You will discuss important European issues during committee work and present your solutions at General Assembly. It will be challenging – and a lot of fun!

The organisers are working hard to ensure that the session will be a memorable experience for you. See this as an opportunity to improve your language skills, learn more about the European Union and of course, meet new friends.

For me, this session is extra special as it will be my first ever visit to your fantastic country. And hopefully, in November, Thessaloniki will be slightly warmer than the cold climate of my home town in Sweden. I love your food and your vibrant and rich culture and am truly looking forward to finally coming to Hellas.

I am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to welcome you all to Thessaloniki and to EYP.

Helya Houshmand

President of the session