ghent2013 resolution booklet

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RESOLUTION BOOKLET

Ghent2013: 2nd International Forum of EYP-Europolis Belgium

Ghent, Belgium | 6 - 13 April 2013

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Ghent2013: 2nd International Forum of EYP-Europolis Belgium | 6 - 13 April 2013 | Resolution Booklet of 26

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Procedure!for!the!General!Assembly!.....................................................................................................!3!

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Programme!of!the!General!Assembly!....................................................................................................!5!

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Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Constitutional!Affairs!I!.................................................!6!

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Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Culture!and!Education!II!...............................................!8!

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Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Constitutional!Affairs!II!..............................................!10!

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Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Employment!and!Social!Affairs!II!...............................!12!

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Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Employment!and!Social!Affairs!I!................................!14!

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Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Women’s!Rights!and!Gender!Equality!........................!16!

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Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Regional!Development!...............................................!18!

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Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Civil!Liberties,!Justice!and!Home!Affairs!.....................!20!

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Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Industry,!Research!and!Energy!...................................!22!

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Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Culture!and!Education!I!..............................................!24!

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PROCEDURE FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY !

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General'rules'The!wish!to!speak!is!indicated!by!raising!the!Committee!placard.!The!authority!of!the!Board!is!absolute.!

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Procedure'and'time'settings'1.!Presentation!of!the!Motion!for!a!Resolution!(the!Board!read!out!the!topic!and!introduce!any!Friendly!Amendments,!

a!member!of!the!Proposing!Committee!reads!out!the!Operative!Clauses);!!

2.!Points!of!Information!(asked!for!by!any!Committees!and!answered!by!the!Proposing!Committee);!!

3.!Defence!Speech!(maximum!3!minutes);!!

4.!Attack!Speech!(maximum!3!minutes);!!

5.!Open!Debate!on!the!Motion!for!a!Resolution:!!

6.!Summation!Speech!(maximum!3!minutes);!!

7.!Voting!procedure!–!the!votes!are!collected!by!the!Chairpersons;!!

8.!Announcement!of!the!voting!results!by!the!Board.!!

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Friendly'amendments'Put!forward!by!the!Proposing!Committee,!these!are!last^minute!modifications!aiming!at!improving!the!Resolution.!

Amendments!are!to!be!handed!to!the!Board!on!a!specific!form!(distributed!to!the!Chairpersons)!two!Resolutions!in!

advance!–!or!as!early!as!possible!for!the!first!Debates!of!the!day.!

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Points'of'Information'These!are!requests!for!brief!explanations!of!the!meaning!of!specific!words!and!abbreviations.!Please!note!that!

translations!are!not!Points!of!Information.!

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Points'of'Personal'Privilege'These!are!requests!for!a!Delegate!to!repeat!a!point!that!was!inaudible.!Failure!to!understand!the!language!being!

spoken!does!not!make!for!a!Point!of!Personal!Privilege!

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Direct'Responses'Once!per!Debate,!each!Committee!may!use!the!‘Direct!Response’!sign.!Should!a!Committee!member!raise!the!

Committee!Placard!and!the!‘Direct!Response’!sign!during!the!Open!Debate,!he/she!will!immediately!be!recognised!by!

the!Board!and!given!the!floor!as!soon!as!the!point!being!made!is!concluded.!A!Direct!Response!can!only!be!used!to!

refer!to!and!discuss!the!point!made!directly!beforehand.!If!two!or!more!Direct!Responses!are!requested!at!once,!the!

Board!will!decide!which!Committee!to!recognise.!In!this!case,!the!second!Direct!Response!shall!only!be!held!if!it!can!be!

referred!to!the!first!Direct!Response,!so!on!and!so!forth.!

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'''Points'of'Order'The!Chairperson!can!raise!this!if!a!Delegate!feels!the!Board!have!not!properly!followed!Parliamentary!procedure.!

Ultimately,!the!authority!of!the!Board!is!absolute.!

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Defence'Speech'One!member!of!the!Proposing!Committee!delivers!the!Defence!Speech!from!the!podium.!It!is!used!to!explain!the!

rationale!of!the!overall!lines!of!the!Resolution!and!convince!the!Plenary!that!the!Resolution!is!worthy!of!being!

adopted.!This!speech!can!last!a!maximum!of!three!minutes.!

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Attack'Speeches'An!individual!Delegate!from!a!Committee!other!than!that!proposing!the!Resolution!at!hand!delivers!an!Attack!Speech!

from!the!podium.!It!reflects!an!individual!opinion!and!is!used!to!point!out!the!flaws!of!the!approach!taken!by!the!

Proposing!Committee!and!should!propose!alternative!solutions.!Oftentimes,!an!Attack!Speech!is!concluded!with!an!

appeal!to!the!Plenary!not!to!adopt!the!Resolution!in!their!present!form.!

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Summation'Speech'One!or!two!members!of!the!Proposing!Committee!deliver!the!Summation!Speech!from!the!podium;!the!microphone!

can!only!be!passed!once.!It!is!used!to!summarise!the!Debate,!respond!to!main,!selected!criticism!and!to!once!more!

explain!why!the!chosen!approach!is!the!most!sensible.!It!typically!concludes!with!an!appeal!to!vote!in!favour!of!the!

Resolution.!This!speech!can!last!a!maximum!of!three!minutes.!

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PROGRAMME OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY !

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DAY'1'A'Thursday'11'April'2013'!

09:30! Opening!of!the!General!Assembly!

10:30! Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Constitutional!Affairs!I!

! Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Culture!and!Education!II!

12:00! Lunch!break!

! Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Constitutional!Affairs!II!

! Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Employment!and!Social!Affairs!II!

15:00! Coffee!break!

15:30! Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Employment!and!Social!Affairs!I!

! Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Women’s!Rights!and!Gender!Equality!


17:30! Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Regional!Development!

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DAY'2'A'Friday'12'April'2013'!

09:30! Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Civil!Liberties,!Justice!and!Home!Affairs!

! Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Industry,!Research!and!Energy!


12.00! Motion!for!a!Resolution!by!the!Committee!on!Culture!and!Education!I!

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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS I

An ever-closer union? With Euroscepticism gaining more and more support within individual

Member States and a sense of dissatisfaction with the current form of the European institutions, some are talking about a multi-speed Europe. What should the European Parliament’s response be

vis-à-vis these calls for a less integrated Europe?

Submitted by: Taylan Alpkaya (TR), Marta Domínguez Jiménez (ES), Yasmina El Kaddouri

(BE), Olof Hallén (SE), Emilie Hansen (DK), Max Ingwersen (CH), Marco Malusà (IT), Joe Marshall (UK), Noah Schöppl (DE), Marta Sznajder (PL), Guillaume Théron (FR), Áine Tierney (IE), Sara Välimäki (FI), Oscar Stenbom (Chairperson, SE)

The European Youth Parliament,

A. Alarmed by the bureaucracy, complexity and institutional inefficiency present within the institutions of the European Union (EU) inhibiting Member States from integrating effectively,

B. Aware of a democratic deficit and issues of political transparency within the EU reducing Member States’ willingness to integrate equally within the EU,

C. Noting with concern that the current economic crisis emphasises the shortcomings of the EU and leads to Euroscepticism,

D. Observing that the fear of a reduction of national sovereignty reduces some Member States’ willingness to integrate equally within the EU,

E. Convinced there will always exist fundamental differences in Member States’ stance on the extent and speed of integration due to inherit political, historical and cultural variances, further hindering integration,

F. Recognising that the plausibility of an equally integrated EU depends upon the desired level of integration agreed by all Member States, both as a whole and in specific areas of integration,

G. Taking into account that abandoning a differentially integrated1 and multiple-speed Europe2 would be the fastest way to achieve equal integration but would require a fully consensus-based approach3,

H. Emphasising that the EU in its current multiple-speed form creates a large disparity between Member States in terms of integrating equality,

I. Realising that the current state of a multiple-speed EU with the explicit aim of harmonising integration is contradictory due to the continuing existence of opt-outs4,

J. Believing that previous and future opt-outs inhibit an equally integrated EU and prevent the EU from creating EU-wide legislation;

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Differentiated integration refers to the standard of varied acceptance of treaties by Member States; for example the Schengen Area, European Monetary Union the European Banking Union all comprise of different sets of members. 2 A multiple-speed approach is the aim to eventually establish an equally integrated union under the norm of differentiated integration. 3 As the EU has relied on differentiated integration from its foundation, a consensus-based approach would require temporary annulment and possible permanent abolition of all treaties of the EU until a full ratification can be reached with all Member States of the Union on all treaties. 4 An ‘opt-out’ is a technique used exceptionally where a majority of Member States wish to commit themselves to cooperate in a particular policy area within a Community framework, but one or more Member States refuse to join in the cooperation. To allow for progress in Community cooperation by those who wish to proceed, the reluctant Member States may ‘opt out’.

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1. Reaffirms that an equally integrated EU would have universally recognised benefits including:

a) ease of further co-operation,

b) increased social, economic and political cohesion,

c) a more effective governance;

2. Has resolved to strive towards equal political integration of all Member States;

3. Draws attention to the fact that a consensus-based approach would involve dismantling the entire EU and would hinder eventual progress by giving individual Member States veto rights;

4. Supports the doctrine of differentiated integration, thereby allowing each state to integrate at its own pace whilst avoiding re-negotiation of all treaties which could potentially lead into a dissolution of the EU;

5. Confirms that multiple-speed integration is the best way to achieve equal integration;

6. Calls for the elimination of opt-outs, to be replaced by de-facto opt-outs5, whilst strongly encouraging further integration;

7. Calls upon the European Commission to initiate the necessary legislation to provide for the implementation of the above.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!5!De-facto opt-outs legally bind a Member State to acceptance of a treaty or policy at an undefined point in the future; Sweden’s legal

obligation to eventually join the Eurozone is an example of this.!

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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION II

Young people’s involvement in civil society: with the end of the ‘Youth in Action’ programme in

sight, how should the EU support youth initiatives as to stimulate the creation of a network of young Europeans with the goal of promoting European citizenship?

Submitted by: Dağhan Carlos Edip Akkar (TR), Andreas Chrysostomou (CY), Kees Foekema

(NL), Alexandra Freitas (PT), Louise Hellgren (SE), Isabelle Hiblot (FR), Stella Näbauer (DE), Catherine Noonan (IE), Sofie Pederson (DK), Giulia Pennesi (IT), Laura Sans Durán (ES), Luke Thomas (UK), Ann-Sophie Verschaetse (BE), Julia Zeilstra (CH), Annika Heffter (Chairperson, DE)


A. Aware of the European Commission’s proposal to integrate the seven existing youth programmes6 into the umbrella programme ‘Erasmus for All’,

B. Deeply concerned by the widespread lack of awareness amongst young Europeans concerning:

i) the on-going and newly formed youth initiatives,

ii) the basic political structure of the European Union (EU),

iii) the rights and responsibilities of an EU citizen,

C. Alarmed by the lack of interaction between EU policy makers and the European youth,

D. Noting with regret young European’s disengagement and lack of affinity with the leading political figures in the EU,

E. Recognising social media and the internet as an effective way of communication between the various European institutions and the youth,

F. Noting with deep concern the overwhelmingly negative representation of the EU in popular media and public opinion,

G. Bearing in mind the EU’s youth programmes need to transcend social-economic and geographical barriers in order to ensure equal treatment of all European youngsters,

H. Noting with satisfaction the success of current and past youth programmes, such as Youth in Action, in fostering European citizenship,

I. Noting with approval that the funds allocated to ‘Erasmus for All’ in the 2014 – 2020 seven-year budget have increased by 70% compared to previous programmes,

J. Recognising the resolution of language differences to be an essential factor in enhancing the relationship between various European societies;

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!6 The seven youth programmes to be integrated are: the Youth in Action programme, the Lifelong Learning programme and five international cooperation programmes.

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1. Expresses its appreciation of the European Commission’s ‘Erasmus for All’ programme proposal;

2. Calls upon the Member States to implement a school-based educational programme focused on fostering European citizenship;

3. Calls for the implementation of fiscal benefits for educational institutes and non-governmental organisations that seek to spread the understanding of the EU, European citizenship and youth initiatives;

4. Urges the implementation of fiscal incentives for inclusive youth initiatives in order to remove any socio-economic barriers;

5. Demands improved access to various resources with information on the EU, such as internet databases and websites;

6. Calls for the utilisation of social media and other forms of communication in order to increase the EU’s appeal and foster a sense of European citizenship;

7. Calls upon the Member States to increase the allocation of funds towards language departments in secondary education;

8. Recommends an increase in funding for European student exchange programmes with a specific focus on the acquisition of foreign European languages;

9. Calls for the selection and training of a civil servant in every European city to serve as a contact officer for youngsters seeking help with their youth initiatives;

10. Endorses intercultural dialogue between young EU citizens by establishing an internet forum enabling young citizens to discuss with like-minded young Europeans;

11. Calls upon Member States with mandatory voluntary activities as a part of the educational curriculum to allow for these activities to be replaced or supplemented by the participation in European youth initiatives;


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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS II

Political disillusion in Europe: low voter turnouts and several youth polls have shown that

disenchantment with politics and unawareness of the political and social reality of the EU have led to an increasingly passive attitude amongst young Europeans. What measures should be taken in order

to motivate young people to play an active role and take social responsibility in European society?

Submitted by: Laura Diaz (ES), Giulia Giacomini (IT), Marta Gonçalves (PT), Sinan Gurbuz

(TR), Bettina Koitz (AT), Sara Laurikainen (FI), Gemma Lyons (IE), Ezinne Molenkamp (NL), Baptiste Randuineau (FR), Kristen Rosario (SE), Adam Stanford (UK), Giorgio Tresoldi (CH), Andriani Yiangou (CY), Dirk Hofland (Chairperson, NL)


A. Noting with regret the lack of inter-generational solidarity and sympathy and the prevalence of age-based prejudices,

B. Fully aware of the continuing, widespread absence of relevant technological knowledge and experience in older generations that acts to further widen the inter-generational gap,

C. Recognising that the various European education systems are highly individualistic in nature and do not foster a sense of community and involvement with society but rather focus on personal gains and achievements,

D. Concerned by the disinterest of a large number of the European youth in the European project and the various rights and duties associated with European citizenship,

E. Fully alarmed by the high youth unemployment rates in the European Union (EU),

F. Believing that the high youth unemployment rates in the EU are a factor contributing to the level of political disenchantment and disinterest among young people,

G. Noting with deep concern that various austerity measures7 taken by the Member States over the course of the on-going economic depression are disproportionately targeting the youth and exempting the elderly,

H. Deeply regretting the widespread absence of direct communication between Europe’s youth and European policymakers,

I. Noting with regret the limited presence of direct influence of European citizens on the policymaking process,

J. Alarmed by the apathy displayed by many European youngsters towards the various aspects of civil society, such as political involvement, organ and blood donation, charity and volunteer work;

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!7 Examples include higher university tuition fees, fewer rent benefits etc.

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1. Encourages Member States to provide fiscal initiatives to both the youth and the elderly to cohabitate in order to increase inter-generational solidarity;

2. Requests the establishment of a European inter-generational ICT-mentoring programme to be implemented at schools which requires young people to assist the elderly;

3. Calls for legislation providing for a compulsory, pro-active course over the entire length of all European types of secondary education, focusing on:

a) political awareness,

b) social outreach,

c) teamwork;

4. Recommends that courses similar to this programme currently being taught in different Member States be amended to adhere to the aforementioned focus points;

5. Urges the Member States to establish mandatory student exchange programmes between European high schools in order to foster a sense of European citizenship;

6. Calls upon the Member States to amend current austerity measures to allow for a proportionate distribution of the financial burdens, as well as to ensure that future financial burdens imposed by the individual Member States upon their citizens will affect different age groups proportionately;

7. Requests legislation obliging local governments to regularly host and organise conferences where politicians and local youth enter into dialogue over current pressing issues be introduced;

8. Calls for the amendment of the 2009 Lisbon treaty to allow for the European Citizens’ Initiative8 to call for a binding referendum on any legislation passed by the European Parliament;

9. Recommends the introduction of a system of e-voting in all Member States for local, regional, national and European elections;

10. Has resolved to send an extensive information-pack to European youngsters upon reaching the voting age which will include:

a) an extensive outline of the policymaking process within the EU at various levels of government,

b) an overview of the different political parties active in their municipality, region, nation and the EU,

c) current local, regional, national and European issues,

d) information on the various available options for political participation;

11. Expresses its hope that Member States will allocate more funding to projects focused on incentivising youth’s political participation and awareness, such as the European Youth Parliament;


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!8 The European Citizens' Initiative allows one million EU citizens to participate directly in the development of EU policies, by calling on the European Commission to make a legislative proposal.

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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS II

Live long and prosper: with more Europeans living longer than ever before, the EU faces the threat of

an ageing population. How can the EU make sure that older generations are being looked after and stimulated to actively participate in society, so as not to become the forgotten majority?

Submitted by: Marion Bret (FR), Setare Bucher (CH), William De Catelle (BE), Idil Demirdag

(TR), Giovanni Legname (IT), Lauren Mulhall (IE), Ethan Shippen (DK), Joep Van Meyel (NL), Carina Vieira (PT), Johanna Wendesten (SE), Marios Yerou (CY), Anar Kučera (Chairperson, CZ), Hans Maes (Chairperson, BE)


A. Alarmed by the expected tripling of the number of people aged 80 years and above between 2011 and 2060,

B. Realising that this increase will have a major impact on the economy, mainly through increased pressure on social welfare schemes, e.g. healthcare and pensions,

C. Noting with concern that the average European dependency ratio9 is currently 25% and is due to change to approximately 50% by 2100, resulting in the relative reduction of the labour force and consequently in economic contraction,

D. Welcoming the silver economy model10,

E. Bearing in mind that the population of the European Union (EU) has been steadily decreasing due to the low fertility rates in the last two decades,

F. Taking into consideration that skills and experience of the elderly are not passed onto younger generations well enough,

G. Taking into account that a third of the citizens of the EU would prefer to continue working part-time or full-time upon reaching the Member State specific retirement age11,

H. Acknowledging that the ageing of the population offers opportunities for various sectors in the labour market,

I. Noting with approval that the next generation of elderly will be wealthier than the past generations,

J. Bearing in mind that many elderly people live isolated from society;

1. Requests all Member States to promote a healthier lifestyle through the means of campaigns and education;

2. Recommends guidelines for public health care systems, inspired by the Scandinavian welfare system, be introduced at a European level;

3. Supports the development and marketing of products and services targeting potential elderly consumers;

4. Encourages the creation of volunteering organisations consisting of elderly people, such as the Senior Corps in the United States of America;

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!9 In economics and geography the dependency ratio is an age-population ratio of those typically not in the labour force (the dependent part) and those typically in the labour force (the productive part). It is used to measure the pressure on productive population. 10 The silver economy model considers retirees (silver haired) to be equally valuable labour resources as the labour force. 11 Special Eurobarometer 378, Active Ageing, 2012, pp. 75.

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5. Calls for making the access to volunteering opportunities for the elderly easier and more comprehensible across Member States;

6. Urges Member States to offer a bonus to the pension if a retiree stays active through voluntary participation in public services;

7. Affirms the European Flexicurity12 strategies and life-long learning programmes for adapting and upgrading the skills of ageing employees, as they may no longer be capable of performing physically demanding jobs;

8. Supports acceptance and integration of immigrants in order to fill the gaps in the workforce that will be created by the retirement of the Baby Boom generation;

9. Requests a non-mandatory EU-wide scheme of gradual retirement be created, in which the retiree steadily transfers responsibilities and experience to the successor over a period of maximum two years;

10. Calls upon the Council of the EU to harmonise and gradually increase the different ages of retirement in individual Member States in order to avoid economic imbalance;

11. Encourages the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to fund communal accommodation for the elderly, where they can live at different stages of independency, where specialised medical care, social contacts, further education and appropriate work will be available;

12. Recommends to support people who prefer relying on family by means-tested housing benefits to ensure that both systems, communal care and home care, are equally supported;

13. Further recommends that the Member States integrate the systems used in emergency and monitoring equipment used by the elderly, thus allowing for self-reliance and independency thereof;


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!12 Flexicurity is an integrated strategy for enhancing both flexibility and security in the labour market. It attempts to reconcile the employers’ need for a flexible workforce with the workers’ need for security to generate confidence that they will not face long periods of unemployment.

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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS I

With unacceptably high youth unemployment rates across Europe and an EU-wide average youth

unemployment rate of 24%, are we looking at a ‘lost generation’? What steps should the EU take in order to ensure young people fulfil their potential on the labour market?

Submitted by: Alex Clark (UK), Gonçalo Costa (PT), Tanguy Leroux (FR), Dita Nitiša (LV),

Linde Nuyts (BE), Pavlos Petrallis (CY), Leonard Rosen (DE), Aleksandra Sawa (PT), Carlos Severo Esteban (ES), Lukas Siegfried (CH), Anna Turunen (FI), Patrick Vardy (DK), Alessandro Variola (IT), Dan Brown (Vice-President, UK)


A. Alarmed by the increasing threat that is posed by the ‘lost generation’13 to European societies and economies,

B. Keeping in mind that the impact of the financial crisis deteriorates the problem of youth unemployment,

C. Taking into account the disparity across the Member States at the various levels of youth unemployment,

D. Observing the varying levels of success individual members have had in tackling the issue,

E. Deeply concerned with the current incompatibility of the skills of Europe’s youth with the current demands of the labour market,

F. Noting with approval measures taken to resolve current youth unemployment by the European Commission, namely the recommendatory actions of the Youth Guarantee14,

G. Deeply disturbed by the growing lack of employment prospects caused by the turbulent market conditions of some Member States,

H. Noting with regret the inequality of opportunity between those who gain workplace experience and those who do not,

I. Believing that the opportunity of workplace experience plays an important role in securing employment,

J. Fully aware of the costs incurred by European companies in training and recruiting young people and the risks this presents,

K. Fully alarmed by the lack of motivation amongst some of Europe’s youth in finding work,

L. Aware of the importance of ‘Flexicurity’15 in maintaining and promoting a more secure work environment in Europe and the potential this has in easing the pressure of youth unemployment,

M. Noting the importance of education for gaining employment;

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!13 The ‘lost generation’ refers to the current youth of Europe who are struggling to gain employment and are having difficulties to secure the necessary skills for their future. 14 The Youth Guarantee is a concept through which every young person should receive a quality offer of employment or training or further education within four months after leaving school or becoming unemployed. 15 Flexicurity is an approach put forward by the European Commission regarding striking the right balance between flexible job arrangements and secure transitions between jobs, so that more and better jobs can be created.

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1. Calls for:

a) further integration and cooperation between European schools and universities with companies and employers in order to better combine academia with necessary practical experience,

b) greater support and recognition of employers who take on young people who have not completed or enrolled in tertiary education;

2. Endorses the Youth Guarantee and calls for its adoption amongst more Member States in order for its concepts to be exhausted fully to tackle youth unemployment;

3. Requests the labour market be made more open, competitive and innovative by deregulation;

4. Approves the need for greater involvement of foreign investments into Europe to boost employment opportunities;

5. Supports the establishment of low interest rates for young entrepreneurs to allow for greater borrowing to invigorate small businesses;

6. Encourages the greater use of work shadowing programmes16 to help the transfer of necessary knowledge and relevant skills which will help bridge the gap between current, older employees and the younger generation;

7. Authorises the creation of a European-wide campaign that will:

a) establish a positive brand image for corporations and companies that contribute to the education, practical training and employment of young people,

b) introduce case specific tax-breaks for companies employing the young,

c) promote the long-term benefits of employing Europe’s youth;

8. Endorses the further application of the flexicurity model throughout Europe and its establishment amongst Member States;


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!16 A shadowing programme is where students follow employees around and watch them do their job. This gives them first-hand knowledge of the job and the skills required.

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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON WOMEN’S RIGHT AND GENDER EQUALITY

With slow progress in achieving gender parity across Europe, what is the role of women in

perpetuating inequality in the workplace? To what extent should the EU and its Member States take more radical action in order to unlock the full potential of Europe’s female labour force?

Submitted by: Noelia Rodriguez Mier (BE), Amanda Urban (DK), Can Akin (TR), Ollie Dean

(UK), Emma Janson (SE), Jana Kobler (CH), Aino Laine (FI), Mighel Molenkamp (NL), Ariadna Puig (ES), Vanessa Silva (PT), Florian Treguilly (FR), Laura Vizule (LV), Dunja Tanović (Chairperson, UK)


A. Deeply concerned by the lack of women in high level positions in both the private and public sector,

B. Convinced that the current underrepresentation of women in the workplace is caused by employers’ unwillingness to offer job opportunities to women due to their fear of having to pay maternity leave salaries,

C. Aware of the dilemma between a professional career and family life that many women have to face due to the lack of affordable and high quality childcare provision,

D. Noting with deep concern that 40% of the women in the labour force do not return to their full-time jobs after maternity leave,

E. Noting with regret that the fact that many women who do not return to work after maternity leave can be seen as a loss of previous investment into their education,

F. Alarmed by the lack of awareness about gender inequality among European citizens,

G. Deeply disturbed by the existence of stereotypes and prejudices that aim to belittle women’s confidence and aspirations,

H. Affirming the impact of religion and tradition on the continued existence of widespread gender inequality,

I. Taking note of the different legal treatment of the sexes with regards to paid maternity and paternity leave,

J. Noting with satisfaction the existence of the 75/117/EEC17 directive of the European Commission regarding the difference in wages paid to men and women,

K. Emphasising that the aforementioned difference results in a higher risk of poverty among women than men,

L. Noting with regret that past evaluations of old measures and the innovation of new ones regarding gender equality have largely been inadequate, as proven by the Barcelona Process18;

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!17 Article 1 of this directive provides that the ‘principle of equal pay’ in Article 119 of the EC Treaty means ‘for the same work or for work to which equal value is attributed, the elimination of all discrimination on grounds of sex with regard to all aspects and conditions of remuneration.’ It requires Member States to ensure that the national legislation gives effect to this principle and provides a mechanism for redress where the principle has been violated (Articles 2 and 3). 18 The purpose of the Barcelona Process was to improve the efficiency of the Euro-Mediterranean relationship. Within it were guidelines for the improvement of women’s status and situation that were developed by the inclusion of specific recommendations in the ‘Five-Year Work Plan’.

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1. Calls upon Member States to co-operate with the European Union (EU) to establish gender parity in the workplace

through:

a) implementation of short-term quotas with the intention of women breaking through the ‘Glass Roof’19,

b) the introduction of the Anonymous Application System20 in order to help women seeking employment,

c) national governments awarding incentives to companies with a gender balanced workforce;

2. Recommends Member States provide financial resources in order to increase supply, improve quality and lower the price of childcare provision;

3. Urges Member States to increase existing or introduce new means-tested childcare subsidies for lower income families;

4. Encourages national governments to help women go back to their full-time job after their maternity leave by stimulating companies to:

a) offer the posibility of flexible work schedules,

b) offer the possibility of working from home,

c) introduce a gradual reintroduction to the labour force;

5. Recommends the addition of educational campaigns in schools focused on:

a) encouragement of young women to take on entrepeneurship,

b) promotion of successful women as role models,

c) provision of information on women’s rights;

6. Emphasises the need for equal parental leave rights by extending the EU Pregnant Workers Directive21;

7. Calls for Member States to implement measures to provide for greater transparency regarding salary payments in order to ensure gender equal wages;


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!19 The ‘glass roof’ symbolises the limits put on women in society to denote a level that they cannot pass. 20 A system which does not allow for any information revealing the gender of the applicant to be known to the potential employer. 21 Provides for provisional measures to protect pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding against risks.

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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Liveable cities: with an ever-growing urban population, the EU faces challenges associated with urbanisation on an unprecedented scale. Taking into account the growth of urban areas Europe,

which measures should be taken in order to enhance the quality of life herein?

Submitted by: Moritz Bondeli (CH), Johanna Ebner (AT), Christophorus Fideluno Adhipandito

(ES), Inês de Júlia Mackie Gonçalves Serrano Kilpatrick (PT), Tatu Han (FI), Nolwenn Le Barch (FR), Caoimhe O'Rourke (IE), Katrine Panch Schaldemann Jensen (DK), Elisabetta Rossetti (IT), Ya'gel Schoonderbeek (NL), Clara Sege (SE), Louis Shankar (UK), Hazal Söyücengil (TR), Floris Lauwers (Chairperson, BE)


A. Concerned by the time it takes to acquire building permits for both private and public projects whilst recognising the right for involved stakeholders to voice their concerns,

B. Alarmed by the rapid increase in commuter traffic and the subsequent noise pollution generated by it,

C. Aware of the need for green space in urban areas,

D. Alarmed by the lack of centralised urban planning across the European Union (EU),

E. Recognising that land in urban areas is often not used optimally,

F. Deeply concerned about the amount of land claimed by continuing urban sprawl,

G. Convinced that improving public transportation and engaging in further research and development in this field could provide an answer to urban traffic issues,

H. Taking note of walking and cycling as alternative modes of transportation in urban areas for shorter distances,

I. Believing that cars are largely responsible for urban traffic issues,

J. Understanding that perceived safety and efficient waste management are key to ensuring a high quality of life;

1. Calls for a more streamlined process for acquiring building permits that would still allow for public objection;

2. Emphasises that the right to object to the issuing of building permits should be more broadly publicised when it comes to large construction projects;

3. Demands that unified legislation be created across the EU setting out guidelines in order to allow for sustainable development of urban areas, with an emphasis on:

a) key features in urban areas such as road works and public transportation,

b) key projects such as airports and railway infrastructure,

c) optimal usage of land tailored to the urban area's specificities,

d) social housing within large scale residential construction projects,

e) small scale gentrification of urban areas;

4. Reaffirms the need for the construction of vertical and roof gardens in urban centres and the conservation of existing park areas will be a direct consequence of the aforementioned guidelines;

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5. Urges a more efficient use of available space in urban centres by:

a) renovating derelict buildings, b) encouraging development of brownfield sites;

6. Insists upon the instalment of sound barriers in areas suffering from severe noise pollution across Member States;

7. Recommends the use of "Green Finger" areas22 to direct urban development and provide green space in developing urban areas;

8. Further recommends increasing the density of outlying urban areas by offering financial incentives to construction projects with the aim of controlling further urban sprawl;

9. Supports further development of public transportation in urban areas by:

a) establishing a platform for sharing expertise between the bodies responsible for the provision of public transportation within the EU, leading to an increase in the efficiency thereof,

b) using public transportation powered by renewable energy, c) assigning separate lanes for public transportation on roads, d) enabling interconnectivity and intraconnectivity between public transportation networks both within and

between urban areas, e) ensuring the availability of "park and ride"23-sites, f) prioritising affordability and accessibility;

10. Further supports the implementation and development of more efficient public transport options such as "light rail"24 and "Superbuses"25;

11. Approves of further developments to improve the walkability of urban areas such as:

a) ensuring the quality of pavements, b) introducing further car-free zones, c) building pedestrian overpasses where necessary to ensure safe crossing;

12. Further approves of initiatives which encourage cycling in urban areas, including:

a) constructing cycling lanes of high quality, b) providing public bicycle systems, c) education on road safety within schools, d) rewarding urban areas that encourage cycling and provide infrastructure with certificates;

13. Expresses its hope that car usage in urban areas can further be discouraged by high parking fees and congestion charges;

14. Has resolved to provide sufficient waste bins in public areas supported by recycling centres;

15. Expresses its appreciation for projects that promote knowledge about all aspects of sustainability;

16. Further requests the creation of graffiti art spaces in urban areas and further incorporation of the "Casablanca Project"26 to combat vandalism;

17. Calls for the construction of additional police stations in disreputable areas to increase perceived safety;


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!22 Green Fingers are green areas that perpendicularly extend from an urban centre to ensure a green zone in between new urban developments on the edge of an urban centre. They differ from Green Belts by not fully enclosing the urban centre and thus allowing expansion. 23 Park and ride-sites consist of a large parking area close to a fast public transportation connection to a nearby urban centre. 24 Light rail encompasses all variations of trams, shuttle trains and other local rapid rail transit. 25 A Superbus differs from a normal bus by increased fuel efficiency and/or a higher capacity. 26 The Casablanca project used unemployed workers to clean graffiti off walls and provide basic repairs on vandalised property.

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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

Guarding the Guardians: in the aftermath of the News of the World phone-tapping scandal in the United Kingdom, has the freedom of the press gone too far? What actions can be taken at the EU level, in order to preserve the investigative freedom of the press whilst respecting the individual’s

right to privacy?

Submitted by: Kajetan Schweighofer (AT), Josephine Dattatreya Andela (NL), Myriem El-

Kaddouri (BE), Louis Le Boulho (FR), Anna Marija Leščinska (LV), Idil Gunes Mete (TR), Fiammetta Millo (IT), Maya Moss (SE), Saara Rissanen (FI), Caley Routledge (UK), Manon Schuerch (CH), Madison Vårdal (DK), Sol Vendrell (ES), Julia Wlodarczyk (PL), Teresa Stadler (Chairperson, AT)


A. Acknowledges the lack of a pan-European press regulation legislation,

B. Recognises the difficulty in maintaining freedom of the press whilst respecting the individual’s right to privacy as outlined by Article 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union27,

C. Realises the delicate nature of any press regulation proposals, taking into account the vital role of a free press in the scrutiny of political organisations and public figures,

D. Alarmed by the fact that news organisations, such as ‘News of the World’ have used illegal methods such as bribery and phone tapping to breach the privacy of over 4 000 individuals in the United Kingdom alone,

E. Concerned by the lack of awareness about the quantity of delicate information easily shared by users of online information services, often resulting in illicit use by third parties,

F. Conscious of the interference of financial contributions given to the press and their possible negative influence on publication of accurate information,

G. Observing a lack of effective EU-wide preventive measures limiting interference of third parties with media content,

H. Noting with concern the decline in media pluralism due to the influence of news monopolies, such as MediaSet in Italy and News International, through control and manipulation of their market share;

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!27 Everyone has the right to protection of personal data concerning him or her. Such data must be processed fairly for specified purposes and on the basis of the consent of the person concerned or some other legitimate basis laid down by law. Everyone has the right of access to data which has been collected concerning him or her, and the right to have it rectified. Compliance with these rules shall be subject to control by an independent authority.

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1. Suggests a divulgement of power to the European University Institute (EUI) to allow effective regulation of news organisations, as well as the protection of the rights and privacy of individuals, using a mutually agreed set of guidelines compiled by the EU representatives of ‘Reporters without Borders’28;

2. Requests the EU to provide financial and legal support to the EUI to help it set up and manage a network of watchdogs based in individual Member States;

3. Urges the national regulatory bodies already existing to work with the EUI to:

a) combine resources and information,

b) communicate on matters of press regulation and private information,

c) initiate an EU-wide process to tackle privacy infringement while maintaining freedom of the press;

4. Asks the EUI to provide a method through which individuals can easily access and understand their rights, as well as pursue justice when news organisations violate these rights and/or publish false information;

5. Encourages the EUI to guarantee a non-partisan press regulation in Member States by means of subsidies, promotion of pluralism of the media and greater transparency;

6. Recommends that regulatory bodies work closely with national police forces to investigate any wrongdoings of news organisations and apply appropriate punishments to ensure that the rule of law is upheld efficiently;

7. Supports the implementation of a privacy rating system by the domain registration company, accessible to the public, which will provide a simple, coherent and comprehensive means of understanding if the user’s data is stored securely and used in appliance with law;

8. Requests the aforementioned rating to be displayed in a condensed form prior to the acceptance of a website’s terms and conditions;

9. Designates new powers to be given to national regulatory bodies, to ensure that any effort of big news corporations to acquire a monopoly of a specific market is blocked;


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!28 ‘Reporters without Borders’ is a non-profit organisation aiming to preserve the freedom to be informed and to inform others. It publishes yearly reports on the comparison of press freedom worldwide and strives to maintain investigative freedom and protection of journalists.

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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY, RESEARCH AND ENERGY

Time to develop a European dream? How can the EU stimulate an entrepreneurial mindset amongst youngsters, provide better incentives for young people willing to start their own business and thus

further develop youth entrepreneurship in Europe?

Submitted by: Ilja Jochum (AT), Leonard Bagiu (SE), Alovya Chowdhury (ES), George

Hadjipavlis (CY), Alexandra Kaars Sijpesteijn (NL), Zuzanna Korszeń (PL), Katrina Lazdina (LV), Victor Notteboom (BE), Riwan Perron (FR), Cian Rynne (IE), Gonçalo Sampaio (PT), Janne Töykkälä (FI), Florence Zuber (CH), Jan Nedvídek (Vice-President, CZ)


A. Aware of the fact that enrolling in tertiary education is perceived superior to setting up one’s own business by European youth,

B. Concerned that young people have lost their faith in Europe’s economic potential and are therefore unwilling to create businesses in the European Economic Area,

C. Conscious of the imbalance between the money paid as income tax and money available as business growth subsidies, especially for newly created enterprises,

D. Disturbed by the fact that young people generally lack the necessary skills to create their own business, as caused by:

i) the lack of tuition relevant to entrepreneurship,

ii) the fact that most entrepreneurship education, such as Masters of Business Administration taught at European universities, focuses more on theory than on practical skills,

E. Recognising the social stigma associated with entrepreneurial failure in Europe which often leads to further financial problems for those affected by bankruptcy,

F. Bearing in mind that the attitude towards entrepreneurship is different from one Member State to another, as it is affected by the historical and social background,

G. Aware that the entrepreneurial and innovative environment is hindered in some Member States by:

i) complicated bureaucratic procedures to set up a new firm,

ii) low willingness of banks in individual Member States to lend money to provide start-up capital to new entrepreneurial undertakings,

iii) high level of corruption,

H. Noting with regret that the many programmes aimed at raising the awareness of entrepreneurship among Europe’s youth29 have proven unsuccessful and remain relatively unknown;

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!29 As outlined in the Commission’s report ENT/CIP/09/E/N02S001.!

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1. Calls for further implementation of interest free start-up loans provided by the budget of the European Commission which would only be paid back once a certain Member State-specific level of profit is reached;

2. Calls for the promotion of research focussed on finding the best criteria to select businesses that would benefit from the aforementioned start-up loans;

3. Requests the Permanent Representations of the Member States to consult the national governments about the establishment of a European body aimed at awarding financial subsidies to companies which provide internship opportunities to young people;

4. Reaffirms that this body will also act as a watch-dog which will monitor and ensure the money invested is spent in accordance with the relevant regulations, to be outlined in future secondary legislation;

5. Recommends the creation of a set of guidelines which would lead to simplification of the paperwork necessary to start up an enterprise in individual Member States;

6. Calls for the introduction of an Internet platform to promote the entrepreneurial programmes already in place, and student-targeted advertisement through social media;

7. Designates a committee to draft an online system of business simulation, the European Business Simulation System (EBSS)30 available in all the official languages of the European Union (EU), to provide a platform for young people willing to enrol in entrepreneurship to gain and further develop the necessary entrepreneurial skills;

8. Expresses its hope that the Council of the EU will provide the relevant expertise drawn from the individual Member States to improve the efficiency of the EBSS;


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!30 The European Business Simulation System is a software which uses modern information technology to calculate all the possible outcomes of a decision made in the process of conducting business, thus teaching those who use it which alternatives they need to be aware of.

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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION I

Attempts at creating equal tertiary education all over Europe seem to have ceased. Although it is still

in place in many EU countries, the Bologna Process is much criticised and the great diversity in educational systems throughout Europe has not yet been met with a proper and realistic solution, even though equal opportunities begin with equal education. Which changes should be made to

create equal education policies for youngsters all over Europe in order to reduce social inequality?

Submitted by: Diana Azevedo (PT), Merve Çolak (TR), Zamzam Elmi (FI), Michał

Horbaczewski (SE), Tasos Kefalas (CY), Laura Lapina (LV), Yannick Léonard (BE), Hannah Linnebank (NL), Claire Monnier (FR), Thea Nicholas (DK), Margherita Quaia (IT), Cristina Rodríguez (ES), George Ross (UK), Marijke Saenen (Chairperson, BE)


A. Noting with regret the general consensus that the Bologna Process31 has failed in reaching its objective, i.e. creating an overall improvement in European higher education policies,

B. Recognising the limits of student mobility in the European Union (EU) due to:

i) lack of information provision,

ii) problems with the recognition of comparable degrees,

iii) a climate of xenophobia,

iv) bureaucracy,

v) financial issues, such as budget cuts, high living expenses and high student debts,

C. Approving of the benefits earned through exchange programmes during both secondary32 and tertiary33 education, including both academic and cultural education,

D. Bearing in mind that the final results in secondary education are not based on equal standards throughout Europe,

E. Deeply convinced of the right to be accepted into university, providing the entry requirements are met,

F. Desiring a uniform, pan-European process of application to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)34,

G. Guided by the need to raise the attractiveness for European students to study abroad,

H. Expresses its appreciation for the current success of short-term exchange programmes in secondary education,

I. Recognising the importance of autonomy for the HEIs on the topic of the curricula offered,

J. Affirming that the Bologna Process and its measures are the general framework used for the policies proposed below;

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!31 The Bologna Process is a non-binding, intergovernmental agreement signed in 1999, which aims to harmonize the European Higher Education. Two examples of Bologna measures are the Bachelor-Master-Doctorate degree structure and the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). 32 For example, students in secondary education have the opportunity to go on short-term, one week exchanges as an introduction to a different nation, culture and language. 33 E.g. the ERASMUS exchange programme. 34 HEIs comprises: universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, institutes of technology, vocational schools, trade schools and career colleges.

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1. Approves of the measures already implemented through the Bologna Process, such as the Bachelor-Master-Doctorate structure, creating more comparable and understandable degrees throughout Europe;

2. Recommends the creation of a European Open University, an EU-wide online HEI, inspired by the Open University35, that would:

a) collaborate with existing HEIs to provide practical lessons,

b) support part-time learning,

c) offer lessons that would be available in all 23 official languages of the Member States;

3. Calls for the creation of a pan-European university application system based on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)36 currently in place in the UK;

4. Further considers the creation of:

a) a European standard of comparison for secondary education diplomas, certifying these according to particular levels if the respective required standards are met,

b) an entry test, specifically prepared by universities for applicants who do not have a recognised diploma, or generally by countries that do not have standardised secondary education or diplomas;

5. Affirms the need for secondary education institutions to issue the Diploma Supplement37 and for HEIs to recognise it as part of the application process;

6. Expresses its hope for the creation of a pan-European charitable institution providing scholarships to EU citizens most in need of monetary aid, inspired by the Sutton Trust38 and funded by:

a) the governments of EU Member States,

b) corporate sponsors,

c) fundraising events attended by alumni, who would simultaneously inspire the youth of today;

7. Encourages student mobility through the creation of a discount travel card for European students that:

a) is valid exclusively for journeys between the university country and the home country,

b) provides a 75% discount on travel tickets with a minimum price of 75 Euros in total,

c) is to be used no more than four times per year;

8. Recommends universities to hire more staff for their international exchange administration in order to speed up the administrative process;

9. Supports the implementation of short-term exchange programmes at higher education level so as to promote long-term exchanges;

10. Recommends that the Member States introduce student mentors in all HEIs and general advisory offices to provide information on application financial and academic requirements;


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!35 The Open University (OU) is a distance learning and research university, launched in 1969 in the United Kingdom. With over 240 000 students every year, it is one of world’s largest universities and it was the highest rated university for overall student satisfaction in 2005, 2006 and 2012. 36 UCAS is the British application system for students applying to university and college, through which they can send a single application for up to five courses. The application includes current qualifications, employment and criminal history, a personal statement and a reference. 37 The Diploma Supplement provides a standardised description of the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies completed by the diploma holder. 38 The Sutton Trust is an educational charity in the United Kingdom, which was set up in 1997. Since then it has funded over a 100 research studies and a wide range of initiatives from primary to higher education.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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