300 young Europeans from 32 countries are taking part in the 80th International Session of the European Youth Parliament in Leipzig. Under the theme of “From tearing down walls to setting new stones” the session was solemnly opened on the 9th of November in the historical Nikolaikirche. Among the speakers at the Opening Ceremony were Michael Roth, Secretary of State for Europe at the Foreign Office (here you can read his speech); the President of the Federal Constitutional Court Andreas Voßkuhle and the Mayor of Leipzig, Burkhard Jung. The main topic of the meeting – European core values in the 21st century – was the main subject of speeches.
The project ‘International Session of the European Youth Parliament in Leipzig’ was funded with the support of the European Union under the Programme “Europe for Citizens”.
Four events have been carried out within this project:
1. A preparatory meeting bringing together the partners involved in the project took place in Berlin, Germany, from 8th to 10th of May 2015.
The aim of this event was to bring together the partners for the project, including many of the National Committees of the EYP, to further develop our cooperation framework and share best practices. The event involved representatives of the 19 countries involved in this EU grant, as well as representatives from 13 other countries, totalling 32 countries.
2. Facilitators’ Academic Training took place in Berlin, Germany, from 11th to 13th of September 2015.
The facilitators (chairpersons) prepared and developed the content of the event, discussed methodological questions, and worked on a research guide and preparation methodology for the participants. The event involved 30 participants from more than 15 countries.
3. An Organisational Management Training took place in Leipzig, Germany fom 18th to 20th of September 2015.
At this event, the organisers coordinated the practical matters and were trained in event management. The event involved more than 25 citizens from 2 countries.
4. The International Session of the EYP in Leipzig, Germany from 6th to 15th of November 2015.
After the training courses, our EYP volunteers got a chance to put their newly acquired skills into practice and the project culminated in a big youth conference in Leipzig. For the duration of the Session, the 315 participants from 32 countries were divided into 15 international working groups (committees) that drafted 15 resolutions on a wide range of European topics. In these groups, the task of the young people was to come up with their own suggestions and ideas for Europe’s most pressing challenges. The results were then presented and debated at the General Assembly at the end of the Session.
Find a summary of the project « International Session of the European Youth Parliament in Leipzig », funded with the support of the European Union under the Programme “Europe for Citizens”, here.
All publications carried out as part of the project can also be found here.
