oulu 2014 resolution booklet

Resolution Booklet Oulu 2014 – Regional Session of

European Youth Parliament

Finland

14th–16th November, 2014

Oulu 2014 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland

General Assembly, 16 November 2014

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European Youth Parliament (EYP) – The EYP, founded in 1987, is one of the largest European

platforms for intercultural encounters, political educational work and the exchange of ideas among

young people. Its mission is to support the development of young people into politically aware and

responsible citizens by involving them in European political thinking and promoting intercultural

understanding. Each year, the EYP involves thousands of young people in voluntary roles in 41

European countries. The EYP is a programme of the Schwartzkopf Foundation.

European Youth Parliament Finland (EYP Finland – EYP Finland, founded in 2001, is the

National Committee of the EYP in Finland. The Regional Sessions are part of EYP Finland’s annual

Your European Citizenship campaign.



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Programme of the General Assembly

09:00 Opening of the General Assembly

09:20 Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Human Rights

10:10 Motion for Resolution by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs

11:00 Coffee Break

11:20 Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

12:05 Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

13:00 Lunch

13:50 Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Regional Development

14:40 Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Security and Defence

15:20 Coffee break

15:35 Closing Ceremony



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Procedure of the General Assembly

General rules

The wish to speak is indicated by raising the Committee placard. Each committee may use only one

Committee placard.

The authority of the Board is absolute.

Procedure and time settings

1. Presenting of the Motion for a Resolution

2. Presenting of the Friendly Amendments

3. Reading of the operative clauses

4. Three minutes to defend the Motion for a Resolution

5. Three minutes to attack the Motion for a Resolution

6. One minute to respond to the Attack Speech

7. General debate

8. Three minutes to sum up the debate

9. Voting procedure

10. Announcing the votes

Friendly Amendment

A last-minute modification to the Motion for a Resolution by the Proposing Committee. Amendments

are to be handed in to the Board at least two Resolutions before the Resolution in question, or as soon

as possible for the first Resolutions of the General Assembly.

Point of Personal Privilege

Request 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.

Direct Response

Once per debate, each Committee may use the Direct Response sign. Should a Delegate raise the 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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Point of Order

These can be raised by the Chairperson if a Delegate feels the Board have not properly followed

parliamentary procedure. Ultimately, the authority of the Board is absolute.

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.

Attack Speech

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. This

speech can last a maximum of three minutes.

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. This speech can last

a maximum of three minutes.



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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY

THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

With the number of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants steadily increasing in the EU, how should

the EU better control its external borders whilst respecting human rights?

Submitted by: Annika Antikainen (Etelä-Tapiolan lukio), Rebecca Hannén (Vörå

idrottsgymnasium), Suvi Jaakkola (Oulun lyseon lukio), Niko Korva

(Enontekiön erälukio), Neea Kylmänen (Vaalan lukio), Rebekka

Pahkala (Oulun lyseon lukio), Pinja Pohjola (Oulun Suomalaisen

Yhteiskoulun lukio), Laura Pöyskö (Oulun lyseon lukio), Elina Sassi

(Haukiputaan lukio), Ina Vahteri (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio),

Saskia Kiiski (Chairperson, FI), Léa Le Coq (Chairperson, FR)

The European Youth Parliament,

A. Alarmed by the increasing number of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers in Southern

European countries such as Greece and Italy, already burdened by the economic crisis,

B. Viewing with appreciation Frontex1 coordination of the external boarders of the Union,

C. Noting with concern the influx of people escaping their native countries due to recent conflicts

such as the Syrian Civil War,

D. Further concerned that people fleeing their home countries are pursuing dangerous routes to gain

access to Europe,

E. Aware of the Dublin II Regulation2 that gives Member States the right to return asylum seekers to

the country through which they first entered the EU,

F. Bearing in mind the difficulties and expenses associated with the maintenance of asylum centres

and border control,

G. Deeply concerned by the poor conditions in asylum centres,

H. Keeping in mind that the asylum application process can be laborious for all parties concerned,

I. Observing that it is difficult for asylum seekers and illegal immigrants to integrate into a society

with growing xenophobia and racism;

1 Frontex is the European Union agency for external border security. It is responsible for co-ordinating the activities of

the national border guards in ensuring the security of the EU's borders with non-Member States. 2 The Dublin II Regulation is EU law that determines which Member State is responsible for examining an application

for asylum seekers seeking international protection under the Geneva Convention and the EU Qualification Directive,

within the European Union.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agencies_of_the_European_Union

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refugee

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_asylum



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1. Requests Members States to support the different asylum centres in the EU through volunteers

and financial support;

2. Encourages Member States to welcome asylum seekers by incentivising them through financial

support after they have reached a certain amount of accepted applications;

3. Urges dividing the responsibility for asylum seekers across the EU by allocating each asylum

seeker to a country which would ultimately be responsible for them;

4. Demands Member States to provide thorough integration strategies for asylum seekers and illegal

immigrants by implementing activities that support diversity;

5. Trusts and supports the current rescue operations of Frontex such as those carried out in the

Mediterranean;

6. Encourages further research into technology in order to improve border control systems the costs

of which would be shared between EU countries.



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THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

The democratic deficit: The turnout in the elections of the European Parliament has gradually

decreased, reaching the all-time low 42,54% in the 2014 elections. Going beyond mere information

campaigns, how best should the EU fix its democratic deficit and restore the enthusiasm of its citizens

for the European project?

Submitted by: Jenni Kalliokoski (Vaalan lukio), Oskari Kanervo (Oulun Suomalaisen

Yhteiskoulun lukio), Roosa Kesonen (Haukiputaan lukio), Niko

Kolehmainen (Tornion yhteislyseon lukio), Amanda Lindahl (Vörå

idrottsgymnasium), Senni Martikainen (Iisalmen lukio), Charlotta

Lahnalahti (Vice President, FI), Nina Huovinen (Chairperson, FI)


A. Emphasising that the European Parliament is the only directly elected body of the EU,

B. Observing that voter turnout varies drastically between Member States3,

C. Recognising that the biggest parties get a larger vote share when more citizens abstain from

voting,

D. Aware that the institutional structure of the EU can be difficult to understand,

E. Regretting that citizens feel distant from EU governance and fail to see the impact of EU decisions

on their daily life,

F. Deeply concerned that some citizens have lost faith in the EU due to negative economic growth

within the Union,

G. Noting with concern the negative effect youth unemployment has on the popularity of the EU,

H. Believing that the European youth does not have sufficient knowledge of the EU due to lack of

education,

I. Expecting long-lasting stable democracies to have higher voter turnout elections than new

democracies;

1. Calls upon European Parliament to be more open to visitors;

2. Urges political parties to inform voters about the pan-European party they belong to;

3 In the 2014 EP elections Slovakia’s voter turnout was 13,05% whereas Malta’s 74,8%.



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3. Invites Member States to include their citizens more closely, starting from local decision making

for more direct democracy;

4. Requests the presence of a higher number of young Members of the European Parlaiment through

a quota system;

5. Expresses its hope for a bigger presence of politicians in the everyday lives of citizens;

6. Supports already existing campaigns that advocate youth participation such as the It’s your

Choice campaign, and the 2013 EU Year of the Citizens;

7. Encourages educational institutions to actively inform youth on decisions made in the Union;

8. Recommends the establishment of an EU Camp available to all EU citizens to share knowledge

about the Union;

9. Further recommends more extensive EU education to take place in schools about:

a) the functioning of the EU,

b) citizens’ rights,

c) the impact of the EU on everyday life,

d) EU foreign affairs;

10. Approves of the existing advanced technology and believes it can be further used for the benefit of

raising citizen participation in politics through:

a) Member States further researching online voting systems,

b) establishement of youth friendly institution webpages,

c) live streaming European Parliament debates,

11. Introduces the aforementioned solutions equally in peripheries and urban areas in order to

balance regional differences in voting habits.



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THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY, RESEARCH AND ENERGY

Creating a greener future: Following the failure of many member States to meet the targets for

renewable energy set out in 2001 and 2003, and building upon the European Commissions

proposed 2030 climate and energy framework, how should the EU proceed to reduce its reliance

upon fossil fuels?

Submitted by: Emilia Kamula (Vaalan lukio), Jalmari Männistö (Tampereen

yhteiskoulun lukio), Idalotta Nousiainen (Oulun lyseon lukio), Veera

Nykänen (Iisalmen lukio), Riku Pyykkönen (Kempeleen lukio), Kaisla

Richardson (Helsingin Suomalaisen Yhteiskoulun lukio), Sanna

Saarnisaari (Oulun Suomalaisen Yhteiskoulun lukio), Henri Sulkava

(Enontekiön erälukio), Jaakko Tihinen (Utajärven lukio), Hanna-Riikka

Tohmola (Kemijärven lukio), Seraina Petersen (Chairperson, CH),

Robert Suomi (Chairperson, FI)


A. Drawing attention to the fact that fossil fuels are estimated to run out by 2050-21004,

B. Fully aware that European economies are highly reliant on fossil fuel imports,

C. Deeply concerned that renewable energy production, such as solar-, hydro-, or wind- power, is

more costly than non-renewable energy production,

D. Noting the need for further research and development in the renewable energy sector,

E. Expressing concern about insufficient awareness amongst European citizens about the current and

future environmental problems caused by emissions,

F. Recognising the fact that old energy infrastructure is costly to modernise,

G. Taking into consideration that power plants can be disruptive to the surrounding landscape and

properties;

1. Approves that Member States move towards a greener future and away from reliance on

depleting fossil fuel supplies;

4 Shafiee & Topal 2009



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2. Recommends the Common Customs Tariff5 to include a tariff on imported fossil fuels from

outside of the European Economic Area6;

3. Further recommends Member States raise taxes on the production of non-renewable energy while

lowering taxes on production of renewable energy in order to reduce the price gap;

4. Calls upon a larger proportion of the Horizon 2020 programme funds to be allocated to renewable

energy research and development7;

5. Urges Member States to encourage the use of seminars in schools and workplaces to promote

awareness on environmental issues;

6. Proposes the publication and dissemination of materials, namely leaflets and brochures, on

environmental issues to be used in the abovementioned seminars;

7. Requests the European Commission to increase the usage of the Cohesion Fund8 to support

companies involved with renewable energy in countries with older energy infrastructures;

8. Suggests restrictions on the proximity of power plants to nature conservation and urban areas.

5 The Common Customs Tariff (CCT) applies to the import of goods across the external borders of the EU. 6 The EEA partnership agreement sets common rules and equal conditions of market competition for associate

members including Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. 7 Horizon 2020 is the largest EU Research and Innovation programme with nearly 80 billion EUR of funding available

for European research and development. 8 The Cohesion Fund is aimed at Member States whose Gross National Income per inhabitant is less than 90% of the EU

average. It aims to reduce economic and social disparities and to promote sustainable development.

(ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/thefunds/cohesion/index_en.cfm)



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THE COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

In the context of the economic crisis, many graduates from Southern and Eastern Europe are moving

to the more stable labour market of Northern countries. This phenomenon is leading to both a

reduction of job opportunities in the destination countries and a worsening of the educational system

in the areas affected by the so called brain drain. What measures can the EU adopt in order to tackle

this issue without hindering the spreading of knowledge?

Submitted by: Hanne Juntunen (Iisalmen lyseon lukio), Anni Koukkari (Vaalan

lukio), Venla Kärkimaa (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio), Aurora

Loukusa (Oulun lyseon lukio), Alisa Piirainen (Oulun lyseon lukio),

Ilse Sarkkinen (Oulun suomalaisen yhteiskoulun lukio), Susanna

Suomela (Madetojan musiikkilukio), Iida Teriö (Tampereen

yhteiskoulun lukio), Linda Turpeinen (Helsingin suomalaisen

yhteiskoulun lukio), Viivi Veijola (Oulun suomalaisen yhteiskoulun

lukio), Sébastien Lefèvre (Chairperson, BE), Lotta Moisala

(Chairperson, FI)


A. Observing that in 2013 over 7 million EU citizens worked and lived in an EU country other than

their own9,

B. Convinced labour mobility is one of the EU’s main assets, however, when unilateral can result in

disparities,

C. Noting with concern the long-term consequences of brain drain such as low economic growth

especially in Southern and Eastern European countries,

D. Aware of 90% of companies founded in 201210 being businesses in low value-added sectors, such

as restaurants and clothing stores, indicating that job creation in high value-added sectors was

diminished,

E. Fully alarmed by the fact that the countries hit hardest by the economic crisis, continue to suffer

from economic problems due to:

i) investment in emigrants’ education,

ii) outflow of work force, especially in the fields of science, medicine and engineering,

9 European Commission Press Release September 2014 on Labour Mobility 10 Euractiv: Brain Drain: A new challenge for the Eurozone.



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F. Noting with satisfaction that the EU Cohesion Policy, consisting of the European Social Fund

(ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), aims at decreasing economic and

social disparities between the Member States,

G. Recognising the need to find measures to stop the reduction of job opportunities in the destination

countries without interfering with citizens’ right to move to and work freely in another Member

State;

1. Requests Member States invest in building networks between students and local companies in

order to incorporate graduates with regional labour life;

2. Expresses its hope for university professors to attend already existing EU-wide exchange

programs such as the Erasmus+11 to promote the spreading of knowledge, and transform the brain

drain into brain exchange;

3. Recommends national governments, with the help of ERDF, to support innovative pan-European

research projects, such as the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI)12, in order to create demand for

highly educated graduates;

4. Further recommends the attraction of foreign investment to Southern and Eastern European

countries in order to create job opportunities;

5. Encourages new student founded SMEs to enter the market by raising awareness on available

funds, such as the Structural Funds of the Cohesion Policy.

11 Erasmus+ is an exchange program for students and teachers in higher education funded by the EU. 12 ELI is an EU-funded research project, which has established multiple research hubs especially in the Eastern

European countries attracting researches throughout the whole Europe.



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THE COMMITTEE ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Building the periphery: mechanisms such as the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund have played

an important role in developing the peripheral areas of Europe, however they are also costly. Keeping

in mind that metropolitan areas are the primary motors for growth, how should the EU best support

its peripheral areas to suit the needs of their population?

Submitted by: Frida Ahonen (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio), Anna Anttila

(Helsinkin Suomalainen yhteiskoulu), Samuli Juntti (Tornion

yhteislyseon lukio), Eva Kastenbauer (DE), Kaisa Kotkajärvi (Helsingin

Suomalaisen yhteiskoulun lukio), Milja Mehtonen (Iisalmen lukio),

Aino Myllymäki (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio), Nils Matti

Näkkäläjärvi (Enontekiön erälukio), Carin Saastamoinen (Oulun lyseon

lukio) , Henriikka Hakala (Chairperson, FI), Milan Mag (Chairperson,

HU)


A. Bearing in mind the budget of the Cohesion Policy (CP) 13, €351,8 billion, is over a third of the total

EU budget between 2014-2020,

B. Aware of the fact that metropolitan areas form the backbone of the EU economy,

C. Realising that the less-developed infrastructure of the peripheral areas restricts access to public

services,

D. Alarmed by the recession of public services in some peripheral areas, which has an affect on the

standard of living of citizens,

E. Deeply concerned about the current unemployment rate in peripheral areas,

F. Noting with regret that peripheral areas attract less investments,

G. Believing that the decision-makers at the national level lack sufficient knowledge on the

development of rural areas,

H. Emphasising the importance of transparency regarding the political decisions made at the EU

level,

I. Expecting that the economic and social disparities between the regions may lead to an increase in

the popularity of radical parties within the society,

13 The Cohesion Policy aims at reducing the regional economic and social disparities in Europe mainly through the

structural funds, such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).



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J. Observing that the devolution of peripheral areas will threaten the preservation of cultural

characteristics of the respective areas;

1. Expresses its hope that additional support for peripheral areas will not affect metropolitan areas

negatively;

2. Endorses projects such as the Europe 2020 Project Bond Initiative14, that enables the infrastructural

development of rural as well as metropolitan areas;

3. Urges Member States to ensure the availability of basic public services in peripheral areas;

4. Recommends municipal leaders of peripheral areas harmonise locally available educational

opportunities with relevant industries to help youth transition into local jobs;

5. Requests Member States to make rural areas more attractive to investors by introducing tax

incentives for companies;

6. Invites the EU to continue to support start-up companies through Structural Funds;

7. Further recommends Member States enable citizens of peripheral areas to directly communicate

with political representatives and take part in local policy making by expanding digital

infrastructure;

8. Supports the existing EU initiatives and funds regarding the promotion of culture.

14 The Europe 2020 Project Bond Initiative aims to revive and expand capital markets to finance large European

infrastructure projects in the fields of transport, energy and information technology.



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THE COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE

East versus West: With tensions between Russia and Western countries at its highest since the Cold

War, how should European states respond to Russia’s growing threat on post-Soviet states and what

role should the EU play in striving to uphold a diplomatic resolve to the situation?

Submitted by: Elias Id (Kempeleen lukio), Mikaela Karppelin (Vörå

idrottsgymnasium), Santeri Kirkkala (Enontekiön erälukio), Alina

Kyllönen (Oulun lyseon lukio), Linnea Määttänen (Tampereen

yhteiskoulun lukio), Oskari Parkkinen (Haukiputaan lukio), Miro

Penttinen (Olarin lukio), Milka Rämö (Tornion yhteislyseon lukio),

Aino Röyskö (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio), Teijo Törmänen (Oulun

Suomalaisen Yhteiskoulun lukio), Anni Vakkuri (Oulun Suomalaisen

Yhteiskoulun lukio), Rebecca Smith (Vice President, FR), Martin

Ollinen (Chairperson, FI)


A. Drawing attention to the fact that recent actions by Russia, including border violations, the

annexation of Crimea, and involvement in the conflict in East Ukraine, can be interpreted as

aggressive towards post-Soviet States,

B. Noting that the European Neighbourhood Policy15 (ENP) has not been fully implemented in these

states due to pressure from Russia to reject further integration with the EU,

C. Aware that the sanctions imposed by the EU and Russia on each other have a negative impact on

the economies of both parties,

D. Regretting that the consequences of the EU’s unified sanctions on Russia are affecting its Member

States unequally,

E. Alarmed by the suspected war crimes and human rights violations committed by all actors

involved in the conflict in Eastern Ukraine,

F. Concerned about EU dependence on gas and oil imported from Russia;

1. Calls for a special meeting between the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and

Security Policy and the Russian foreign minister concerning the following topics:

a) A solution to the current crisis in Eastern Ukraine,

15 The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was developed in 2004, with the objective of avoiding the emergence of

new dividing lines between the enlarged EU and our neighbours and instead strengthening the prosperity, stability

and security of all. It is based on the values of democracy, rule of law and respect of human rights.



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b) Their respective relationships and agreements with post-Soviet States,

c) Their relationship with each other, in the framework of the four common spaces16;

2. Affirms the continuation of the current actions of the ENP;

3. Recommends withholding forming new relationships under the ENP until the tension between

the EU and Russia has decreased;

4. Encourages the current economic sanctions against Russia and their continuation;

5. Further calls for the European Commission to discuss allocating funds to Member States suffering

from aforementioned sanctions;

6. Supports the work of Human Rights observation groups in conflict areas by, facilitating their

work whenever possible, and using their findings in decision-making and negotiations;

7. Expresses the need to decrease the reliance on gas and oil imported from Russia, by importing

shale gas from the USA, and investing in renewable energy sources and clean technology.

16 At the St. Petersburg Summit in May 2003, the EU and Russia agreed to reinforce their cooperation by creating in the

long term four ‘common spaces’ in the framework of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and on the basis of

common values and shared interests. They cover the following: common economic space, common space of freedom

security and justice, common space of external security and the common space of research and education.



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oulu 2014 resolution booklet

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