Model European Parliament

Baltic Sea Region

Riga, Latvia

Oct 3-8, 2017

Dear Delegates, Presidents, Teachers and Guests,

Welcome to the beautiful and historic city of Riga. In one of the most environmentally friendly countries on the planet, you will have the opportunity to experience the rich Latvian culture and immerse yourself in the county’s incredible history. With immense forests, white sandy beaches and large markets in the heart of this ancient capital city, Riga will give you a unique insight into the best of what Latvia has to offer.

During this week, you will take part in and experience close cooperation, engaging debates and rewarding assignments. You will also have the unique opportunity to meet and make friends with inspiring people from all across the Baltic Sea region. In fact, that is the essence of MEP BSR, being able to create resolutions that solve some of the largest issues that our union is facing, while at the same time enjoying the freedom to socialize and network beyond the limits of our national borders. Of course, this will all reach its climax during the General Assembly where you can stand proudly beside your fellow committee members, defending the resolution that you believe can make our union or even the world a little bit better.

Believe us when we say that this will be an extremely rewarding week. Not only will you develop your problem solving and debating skills, but you will also broaden your cultural understanding as you will be working alongside people from various nations with different cultural backgrounds. This concept might be more important than ever before, with nationalist and protectionist policies and ideas spreading across the globe. You are brought because you share the same idea; that you can make the world a better place. Nonetheless, if you find yourself intimidated, nervous or insecure remember that every contribution is valuable and every silence is a loss. Be fearless and open-minded and you will have an unforgettable week!

Astrid Ytre-Eide Edvard Bruu

President Vice-President of the General Assembly

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MEP BSR Session in Riga, Latvia

PROGRAM

Tuesday, October 3rd

Before 18.00 Arrival of the delegations at Riga Airport or Riga

Coach Station

Pick up by guides and transfer to international school of Riga to meet host families:

International School of RigaZvejnieku iela 12Kurzemes rajons, Riga, LV-1048www.isriga.lv

Or pick up by guides and transfer to hostels:

Cinnamon Sally Backpackers HostelMerķeļa iela 1, 3rd floor, Rīga, LV-1050www.cinnamonsally.com

Riga HostelMerķeļa iela 1, 4th floor, Rīga, LV-1050www.rigahostel.com.lv

Teachers check in to hotel:

Astor RigaZ.A.Meierovica Blvd. 10Riga, LV-1050, Latviahttp://www.astorrigahotel.lv/

Evening Delegates have dinner and spend evening with their host families

Delegates in hostel have dinner together (tba)

20.00-21.00 Dinner and welcome briefing for teachers/directors

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Wednesday, October 4th

10:00-12:00 Opening Ceremony at:

Maza Gilde/The Grand HallAmatu iela 3Centra rajons, Riga, LV-1050

Delegates and teachers/directors have to be present at 09:30

Speakers:

Mr. Dan Gustafsson, Chairman of the Board of MEP BSR Mr. Craig Williamson, Director, International School of Riga Ms. Lolita Cigane, Chair European Affairs Committee, Member of

the Latvian Parliament Heads of Delegations

Coffee break

12.00 Leaving to:

Stockholm School of Economics in RigaStrēlnieku iela 4ACentra rajonsRīga, LV-1010

Riga Graduate School of LawStrēlnieku iela 4 k-2Centra rajonsRīga, LV-1010

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12.30-13.00 Short intro from the Universities

13.00-14.00 Lunch

14.00-18.00 Teambuilding activitiesCommittee Meetings

15.00-17.00 MEP BSR Board Meeting for Teachers/Directors at

Albert HotelDzirnavu iela 33Rīga, LV-1010www.alberthotel.lv

Evening Delegates have dinner with host families

Delegates in hostel have dinner together (tba)

Teachers/Directors have dinner on their own account

Thursday, October 5th

8.30-12.30 Committee Meetings continued

12.30-13.30 Lunch

13.30-16.00 Committee Meetings continued

Resolutions to be handed in at 16.00

16.00-18.00 Correction Panel, printing of resolutions

19.00-22.00 Dinner and Cultural Evening at International School of Riga

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Friday, October 6th

10.00-11.30 National delegation meetings and lobbying at

Astor RigaZ.A.Meierovica Blvd. 10Riga, LV-1050

12.00-13.00 Lunch at Astor Riga

13.00-16.00 Guided tour of Riga

Evening Students and teachers have dinner on their own account.

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Saturday, October 7th

0.9.00 General Assembly at

University of Latvia, Lielā aulaRaiņa bulvāris 19, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1586www.lu.lv

Delegates and Teachers/Directors must be present at 08.30

Speaker:

H.E. Ambassador Hans Brask, Danish Embassy in Latvia

09.30-12.30 Three resolutions in the morning

12.30-13.30 Lunch at Čili Pizza

13.30-16.30 Three resolutions in the afternoon

16.30-17.00 Closing Ceremony

Speakers:

President of the GA/Ms.Astrid Ytre-Eide

Ms. Nina Nørgaard, Administrative Coordinator of MEP BSR

19.00-21.30 Farewell party and dinner.

Restaurant “Čarlstons” Banquet HallBlaumaņa street 38/40, Riga, LV-1011

Sunday, October 8th

Departure all delegations

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Issues MEP BSR Riga 2017

1. Committee on Security and Defence - CP: Alisher Akhmadjonov, Latvia

The question of “securitization” of the Baltic Sea Region. The west and Russia do not share a common vision anymore. How do countries in the region manage this crisis? How can conflicts and further escalation be avoided and dialogue between the partners be promoted?

2. Committee on Human Rights – CP: Gisle Joe Garen, Norway

The question of human trafficking. With human trafficking considered to be one of the fastest-growing activities of trans-national crime, what measures can the EU establish to further combat the growing presence of this phenomenon, and to what extent can NGOs and other bodies be involved to deal with the issue?

3. Committee on Employment and Social Affairs – CP: Taimi Vilkko, Finland

The question of youth employment. How can mobility of employment-seeking young EU citizens be promoted and should they be entitled to the same allowances and social benefits as young citizens of the respective countries? How can mobility measures counteract large scale youth unemployment in Europe without draining the social system of another EU country?

4. Committee on Industry, Research and Energy – CP: Georg Maxton, Germany

The question of climate change and the internal energy market. In order to stop global warming from escalating, we will have to make a transition from fossil-based energies to renewable energies. What energies might be useful in this process? The lack of cooperation between the EU member states is still interfering with the urgent need for change. What can the EU do to enhance the cooperation between member states and promote efforts towards a common internal energy market?

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5. Committee on Culture and Education – CP: Tuur Mattheeuws; Belgium

The question of empowerment and political participation. How can young people – in the school system and outside - be educated to become active citizens and to have more say in the solution and decision-making processes in their societies and in the EU.How can the gap between the political establishment and civil society be bridged?

6. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs – CP: Simon Becke, Austria

The question of immigration. With the rapid influx of refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants into Europe what measures can be taken to attempt an even distribution between countries, and to ensure integration amongst the various groups. To what extent should cultural diversity and religions be accepted when they might conflict with national practices and legislation.

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Delegations

Austria (accompanying teacher: Petra Buchinger)

Eva Werlberger eva.lucia.w@hotmail.comJulian Ennemoser julian.ennemoser@gmail.comLea Giglmayr lea.giglmayr@hotmail.comLeonie Sajdik sajdle12@theresianum.ac.atSeveryn Omelyan omelse12@gmail.com

Belgium (accompanying teacher: Paul van Turenhout)

Arno De Greef arnootje28@gmail.comEef Van De Vyver eef.van.de.vyver@hotmail.comGaia Vanhex gaia.vanhex@gmail.comJoachim Wyckmans wyckmansjoachim@hotmail.comLeah Van de Putte leah.vandeputte@gmail.comMauro Michiels mauro.michiels@hotmail.com

Denmark (accompanying teacher: Bjørn Elm)

Cecilie Anastacia Stokkeby Koch caskoch7@gmail.comEmilie Olivia Flindt H Behrendt millebehrendt@gmail.comEsben Bjørn Salmonsen esbensalmonsen@gmail.comEsben Langhoff Bech esbenwiththeyellowhat@gmail.comFreja Tranekjær Jacobsen freja.who.55@gmail.comJonas Hannibal Møller jona937p@gefion-gym.dkMaria Buhl Christensen mariabuhlchristensen1999@gmail.comSebastian Ejsing seej9811@gmail.comSimon Gustav Ulvsgaard simonulvsgaard@gmail.comViktoria Fuglsang Semenov v@semenova.dk

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Finland (accompanying teacher: Ville Kohvakka)

Aino Toikka aino.toikka@syk.fiCatharina Baumgartner catharina.bongart@gmail.comElla Soininen ella.soininen@kauniaistenlukio.fiJessica Pyöriä jessica.pyoria@syk.fiJohanna Mäkinen johanna.makinen@kauniaistenlukio.fiJosephine Hellbom josephine.hellbom@elev.grankulla.fiKamilla Turtiainen kamilla.turtiainen@ksyk.fiLaura Kempe laura.kempe@ksyk.fiMichael Lowe michaelsjlowe@gmail.comOlli-Pekka Pauna olli-pekka.pauna@ksyk.fi

Germany (accompanying teacher: Sandra Kaptein)

Jacob Dietrich jcbdie@gmail.comJonah Hiegl philip.schubert@outlook.deLea Marie Maluchek ole.jacobsen7@yahoo.deLina Röger lea-maluschek@gmx.deMoritz von Courten nils1-hayn@t-online.deNils Hayn lina@ar-titles.deOle Jacobsen jonah.hiegl@gmail.comPhilip Schubert moritz@courten.deTimm Hermanns office@timm-hermanns.de

Iceland (accompanying teacher: Ægir Karl Ægisson)

Dagný Halla Ágústsdóttir dagnyhallaa@gmail.comPáll Orri Pálsson pop@vf.isVilhjálmur Páll Thorarensen mawsome6@gmail.com

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Latvia (accompanying teacher: Louis Dowling)

Akmal Akhmadjonov 19-001@isriga.lvAnna Holberga 18-005@isriga.lvArmands Lazdiņš adlazdins@gmail.comBilly Sa Nogueira 18-012@isriga.lvJack Sa Nogueira 19-020@isriga.lvPolina Ostrovskaya 19-015@isriga.lvRojs Roberts Amsons royrobbamson@gmail.comSandra Porite sandra.porite@gmail.comViktoria Pesnia 19-016@isriga.lvVirginia Mottola 19-014@isriga.lv

Norway (accompanying teachers: Andrea Elizabeth Barlien and David Ferreira)

Amalie Mittet Fossnes amaliefossnes@hotmail.comArdit Rubovci ardit.rubovci@gmail.comAre Kolltveit kolltveit.are@gmail.comElise Møllerstedt Gunnestad elisemgunnestad@hotmail.comElla Riise Macleod ellamac@live.noEmma Roman Amtrup emromam@hotmail.comHelene Katarina Stewart helene.stewart@hotmail.comMarie Kamilla Veigaard marie@veigaard.noPeder Gunvald Nordgarden Børtnes peder.bortnes@outlook.com

Poland (accompanying teacher: Waldemar Nehring)

Dominika Jurkiewicz donia1919@interia.plMichał Rydzewski hegemone@wp.plZuzanna Tyc zuzanna.tyc999@wp.pl

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Russia (accompanying teacher: Anna Akulova)

Arkhipova Katerina young.forever.v95@gmail.comMeka Vasilii vasiliy_meka@icloud.comSinyavskaya Anna sinanna2002@mail.ruTolstykh Alexey tolstykhleha2002@mail.ruZenkina Arina arinazenkina@mail.ru

Sweden (accompanying teacher: Dan Gustafsson)

Alexander Falck alex.falc-2019@vrg.seAxel Vide axel.vide-2019@vrg.seClara Lindgren clar.lind-2018@vrg.seEbba Haaker ebba.haak-2017@vrg.seElin Rosén elin.rose-2019@vrg.seEllen Marshall-Heyman elle.mars-2019@vrg.seElvira Sander elvi.sand-2018@vrg.seHedda Hövel hedd.hove-2019@vrg.seKristine Wilson kris.wils-2018@vrg.seWictor Wallenius wict.wall-2019@vrg.se

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Organizers

Organizer Alexandra Peck

alexandra.peck@isriga.lv

Organizer Hans Welblund Lindemann

welblund@gmail.com

Administrative Coordinator Nina Nørgaard

nina.norgaard@live.com

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Presidents of the General Assembly

GA President Astrid Ytre-Eide, Norway astrid.y@hotmail.com

GA Vice President Edvard Bruu edva.bruu-2015@vrg.se

Committee Presidents

1. Committee on Security and Defence

CP – Alisher Akhmadjonov, Latvia, akhmadjonov82@gmail.com

2. Committee on Human Rights

CP – Gisle Joe Garen, Norway gisle-garen2809@hotmail.com

3. Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

CP – Taimi Vilkko, Finland taimivilkko@gmail.com

4. Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

CP – Georg Maxton, Germany g.maxton@web.de

5. Committee on Culture and Education

CP – Tuur Mattheeuws, Belgium tuur.mattheeuws@leerling.demare.be

5. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

CP – Simon Becke, Austria simon.becke@gmx.at

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Participating schools:

Austria

AK Gym Innsbruck www.agi.tsn.at

BG Klosterburg www.bgklosterneuburg.ac.at

Theresianum www. theresianum.ac.at

Belgium

Atheneum Lokeren www.atheneumaalst.be

KA Koekelberg www.kakoekelberg.be

Sint-Bavohumaniora www.sbhg.be

Sint-Gummaruscollege www.sgclier.be

Sint-Franciscus College www.sfc.be

Virga Jessecollege www.virgajesscollege.be

Denmark

Gefion Gymnasium www.gefion-gym.dk

Oure Gymnasium www.oure.dk

Rysensteen Gymnasium www.rysensteen.dk

Sankt Annæ Gymnasium www.sag.dk

Finland

Gymnasiet Grankulla samskola www.ggs.fi

Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu www.syk.fi

Kauniaisten lukio www.kauniaistenlukio.fi

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Germany

Christianeum, Hamburg www.christianeum.org

Friedrich-Ebert-Gymnasium, Bonn www.feg-bonn.de

Friedrich-Engels-Gymnasium, Berlin www.feg.cidsnet.de

Hegel-Gymnasium, Stuttgart www.hegelgymnasium.de

Hermann-Böse-Gymnasium, Bremen www.hbg-bremen.de

Herrmann-von-Helmholtz-Gymnasium, Potsdam www.hwg-wadern.de

Hilda-Gymnasium Koblenz www.hilda-gymnasium.de

Kieler Gelehrtenschule Gymnasium www.kieler-gelehrtenschule.de

Leibnizschule Wiesbaden www.leibnizschule.de

Iceland

Fjölbrautaskóli Sudurnesja www.fss.is

Latvia

The International School of Riga www.isriga.lv

Riga English Grammar School www.rag.lv

Norway

Elverum VGS www.elverum.vgs.no

Jessheim VGS www.jessheim.vgs.no

Nesbru Videregående Skole www.nesbru.vgs.no

Poland

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Spoleczne Liceum Ogolnoksztalcace STO www.slo5.edu.pl

Russia

Gymnasium №40 www.gymn40.ru

Sweden

Viktor Rydberg Gymnasium www.vrg.se

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Committees

1. Committee on Security and Defence

Committee President: Alisher Akhmadjonov, Latvia

Delegates:

Gaia Vanhex BelgiumJonas Hannibal Møller DenmarkViktoria Fuglsang Semenov DenmarkJohanna Mäkinen FinlandMichael Lowe FinlandJacob Dietrich GermanyPhilip Schubert GermanyJack Sa Nogueira LatviaRojs Roberts Amsons LatviaArdit Rubovci NorwayMeka Vasilii RussiaHedda Hövel SwedenWictor Wallenius Sweden

2. Committee on Human Rights

Committee President: Gisle Joe Garen, Norway

Delegates:

Leonie Sajdik AustriaMauro Michiels BelgiumEsben Langhoff Bech DenmarkMaria Buhl Christensen DenmarkAino Toikka FinlandKamilla Turtiainen FinlandLea Marie Maluchek GermanyOle Jacobsen GermanyDagný Halla Ágústsdóttir IcelandPolina Ostrovskaya LatviaVirginia Mottola LatviaHelene Katarina Stewart NorwayTolstykh Alexey RussiaEbba Haaker SwedenElin Rosén Sweden

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3. Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Committee President: Taimi Vilkkoio, Finland

Delegates:

Eva Werlberger AustriaArno De Greef BelgiumFreja Tranekjær Jacobsen DenmarkJessica Pyöriä FinlandNils Hayn GermanyPáll Orri Pálsson IcelandBilly Sa Nogueira LatviaDominika Jurkiewicz PolandSandra Porite LatviaMichał Rydzewski PolandZenkina Arina RussiaKristine Wilson Sweden

4. Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Committee President: Georg Maxton,Germany

Delegates:

Julian Ennemoser AustriaEef Van De Vyver BelgiumEsben Bjørn Salmonsen DenmarkJosephine Hellbom FinlandOlli-Pekka Pauna FinlandJonah Hiegl GermanyLina Röger GermanyAkmal Akhmadjonov LatviaArmands Lazdiņš LatviaElise Møllerstedt Gunnestad NorwayPeder Gunvald Nordgarden Børtnes NorwayAlexander Falck SwedenEllen Marshall-Heyman Sweden

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5. Committee on Culture and Education

Committee President: Tuur Mattheeuws, Belgium

Delegates:

Severyn Omelyan AustriaJoachim Wyckmans BelgiumCecilie Anastacia Stokkeby Koch DenmarkEmilie Olivia Flindt H Behrendt DenmarkCatharina Baumgartner FinlandLaura Kempe FinlandMoritz von Courten GermanyAnna Holberga LatviaAre Kolltveit NorwayMarie Kamilla Veigaard NorwayArkhipova Katerina RussiaElvira Sander Sweden

6. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Committee President: Simon Becke, Austria

Delegates:

Lea Giglmayr AustriaLeah Van de Putte BelgiumSebastian Ejsing DenmarkSimon Gustav Ulvsgaard DenmarkElla Soininen FinlandTimm Hermanns GermanyViktoria Pesnia LatviaVilhjálmur Páll Thorarensen IcelandAmalie Mittet Fossnes NorwayElla Riise Macleod NorwayEmma Roman Amtrup NorwayZuzanna Tyc PolandSinyavskaya Anna RussiaAxel Vide SwedenClara Lindgren Sweden

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The Model European Parliament (MEP) concept and methodology www.mepeurope.eu

The Model European Parliament program is a leadership program for youth in the 28 EU countries, set up in 1994 with a secretariat in The Hague, NL. The aim of the program is to educate young people at high school level about European integration and cooperation, and to develop their understanding of common issues as well as provide them with knowledge about EU’s institutions. The program develops political awareness and an understanding for Europe’s cultural diversity.

The MEP program has successfully expanded into 4 regional organizations in the west, south, central and northern part of Europe. In 2004 the first regional organization was set up in the Baltic Sea Region by schools/institutions in Finland, Sweden, Lithuania and DK, and at present we have been joined by schools/institutions in Estonia, Latvia, Kaliningrad, Russia, Poland, Germany, Iceland and Norway as well. The program is a training ground for future leaders and politicians as well as for talented students who share an interest in European issues.

The vision of the MEP Baltic Sea Organization is:

- Build relationships between youth in the Baltic Sea Region- Penetrate common Baltic Sea and Nordic issues- Give insight into each individual’s potential to affect society’s development- Focus on trade, industry, politics and culture and social affairs- Give insight into modern democracy and the parliamentary system, using the European

Parliament as an example- Develop debating skills in large international forums

The working language during the MEP is English. 5-10 students are chosen to represent each member country, and together they comprise a delegation. Each delegate represents his/her native country in a committee, which discusses international issues, and each committee has a specified subject to discuss. The common goal is to write a resolution that they can support and defend in the General Assembly (the youth parliament).

The MEP program is also a cultural and social event, which gives the participants the opportunity to experience the diversity of the countries around the Baltic Sea/Northern Europe and be part of numerous social events, such as teambuilding, sightseeing along with living with a family in the host country.

The sessions take place twice a year in the Baltic Sea Region and since the start of the organization they have been hosted by Stockholm, Copenhagen, Bremen, Tallinn, Copenhagen/Malmoe, Helsinki,

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Riga, St. Petersburg, Iława/Torun, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Kaliningrad, Vilnius, Gdansk/Gdynia, Copenhagen, Leipzig, Reykjavik, Bruges/Blankenberge, Tartu, Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo, Riga, Kaliningrad and Elverum.

Pedagogically the MEP program focuses on:

a) Individual ICT introduction to EU institutions and to specific topics b) Study program before the sessions in class/groupsc) Workshops/committee work run by experienced students and delegated) Project work/written resolutions in Englishe) Debating and rhetoric skillsf) Intercultural skills and competenciesg) The experience of an advanced and realistic role play (as a learning method)

The MEP BSR office is located in Copenhagen, DK, and run by an administrative coordinator. More information about MEP BSR and sessions are to be found at www.mepbsr.org . Enclosed here please find material and guidelines in preparation of MEP conferences at the national, regional and international levels.

For further information, please contact :

Administrative Coordinator Nina Nørgaard nina.norgaard@live.com

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The General Assembly – procedure

General procedure

Please remember that before speaking a delegate must be recognised by the President. Delegates do not yield the floor to other delegates. The authority of the President is absolute and delegates must respect their decisions to facilitate a smooth General Assembly.

Read out textual changes

by a member of the Committee

Read out resolution

by a member of the Committee

Opening Speech

about 3 minutes; held by a member of the Committee

Short factual questions

Amendment

• Presentation of the amendment

about 3 minutes; held by the submitter of the amendment

• Questions answered

by the submitter of the amendment

• Speech against the amendment

about 2 minutes; held by a member of the Committee

• Vote

yes / no (no abstentions)

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Open debate

Speech against the resolution

about 2 minutes; held by a member of the assembly

Speech in favour of the resolution

about 2 minutes; held by a member of the Committee

Vote

yes / no (abstention)

Voting procedure

At the end of a debate, the president of the General Assembly asks the heads of delegation to collect the votes of their delegation. After the votes have been collected, the president asks each head of delegation (in alphabetic order of the present states) to give the votes of his/her delegation.

Voting on a resolution

The head of delegation gives first the votes ‘in favour’, followed by the votes ‘against’ and ending with the abstentions.

The correct formula is: “Finland: two votes in favour, one vote against and two abstentions” (0 = zero).

Voting on an amendment

In case of an amendment, the voting follows the same procedure, except that the delegates can only vote in favour or against, there are no abstentions possible.

A majority vote is required to pass the amendment. If the votes remain equally divided, the amendment is rejected.

Voting results

The Presidency will count the total number of votes.

The votes of the member states determine the result of the voting.

The President announces the final result.

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General rules

When addressing the Assembly, delegates should stand up and speak clearly in English.

Questions directed to the President or the speaker

Delegates may never interrupt the President or the speaker who has the floor.

Delegates may raise their placards only after the President or a fellow delegate has finished their contribution.

Point of personal privilege

If a delegate cannot hear or understand what has been said, they can interrupt the speaker asking the President to allow a “point of privilege” by using the red ‘privilege’ sign.

Setting of Debate-time

The setting of debating time is at the discretion of the President.

Working language

The working language of international conferences of the MEP is English. Native speakers are kindly asked to grade their speech so that it is easy to understand for less fluent speakers of English as well.

Before the General Assembly

You can prepare two different kinds of modifications to draft resolutions during the Delegation meeting and Lobbying.

Amendments

Amendments mean to change part of a text by deleting, adding or substituting words or figures.

Amendments have to be written on the appropriate amendment sheets (provided by the Presidency at the lobby) and should be handed over to the Presidency until the end of the Lobby. The Co-President of the General Assembly decides if the amendment shall be discussed.

Amendments shall have priority over the text to which they relate and shall be discussed and put to the vote.

Textual changes

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Textual changes to the text of a resolution can only be proposed by members of the committee involved.

Textual changes have to be written on the appropriate textual change sheets (provided by the Presidency).

All members of the committee should sign the paper for textual changes.

Textual changes are always taken into consideration; there is no voting procedure.

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Embassy of Denmark in Latvia

www.mepbsr.org

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