CLOUD

issue #1

EDITORIAL CONTENTS

Oh!

“A cloud.” It seems like a hard rain’s a-gonna fall.

What to do?Enjoy it! Take advantage of it.

It is going to be a totally different kind of rain. Informative, educational, colourful (well, at least the on-line version) and, above all, pleasantly reviving.

The team has made sure to experiment with a broad range of topics, photopgraphy and writing styles so as to provide you with a great variety of content.

As you might have already started realising, an EYP session can be really tiring. Amidst this ocean of life-changing but exhausting experiences, the Media Team of Amsterdam ‘13 wants to be there, during your breaks and your precious free time, to fill it in in the most refreshing way possible.

Exactly as a Dutch rain should be, right?

Wholeheartedly yours, Alex Nompilakis & Charif van Zetten

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Alex Nompilakis & Charif van Zetten

PS: Make sure to watch Tim Keegstra’s videos, they are available on the blog!

EDITORIAL CONTENTS

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The Media Team

EYP?

Europeans in Space

EU facts

Should the UK leave the EU?

Interview with the President

The French Touch

A Blog

And a lot more...

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Matteo: What is the similarity between sex on a rowboat and Starbucks? It is fucking close to water.

Zephyr: “Youth is happy, because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”

Yannick: “I don’t do drugs, I am drugs.” – Salvador Dali

Joao: “I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confi-dently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods

Eliane: The “earth” without “art” is just “eh”.

Titus: “How inappropriate to call this planet earth when it is quite clearly Ocean.”

Marie: “How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?” - Charles De Gaulle

Juan: Yoloing in the snoooooooow!

eyp?European Youth Parliament. Three words that conceal a much deeper meaning than one can possibly imagine when reading them for the first time.

by João Moreira

It comes as no surprise that we find it very hard to explain to an outsider what this EYP project exactly is. What it really means to us.

Young people from all over Europe gather in its most beautiful cities to discuss the problems that currently trouble the EU in one of the most successful platforms for intercultural exchange on the continent. As a brilliant way of peer learning, the EYP is on the vanguard of non-formal education. It has the unmatchable potential of teaching you things that you would not learn anywhere else and make you develop skills that would stay dormant otherwise. how to work in a team; how to compromise; how to listen and be heard; how to face an audience and much more.

In focus: TeambuildingTo break down EYP’s structure in a simple way, the three main pillars of an EYP session are Teambuilding, Committee Work and General Assembly. Teambuilding does precisely what its name gives away: it builds a team. Under the guidance of the Chair the delegates get to know each other and break the ice. There is no room for shyness or embarrassment, the games are all about breaking boundaries and integrating the group.

It is also a very valuable tool for the Chairs to anticipate the different kinds of delegates that they will work with during Committee Work and General Assembly.

In focus: Committee WorkCommittee Work is all about intensive brainstorming and the construction of a resolution that accurately states the main problems around a topic and suggests efficient solutions to tackle them. A lot of effort is put into this part of the session and this is the moment when your research might come in handy.

In focus: General AssemblyThe General Assembly is the climax of the session. All the delegates come together in their committees to present the resolutions they have created in order to mutually improve them by pointing out flaws and finding a constructive way to go around them. Speeches are held, direct responses fly around and emotions flow through the passionate words of the delegates.

This could be one of many possible explanations of what EYP is. However, it does not completely grasp its true essence. The people you meet, the bonds you create, the genuine fun you have, the feeling of belonging that you get even when you have never been further from home… There are no words that can translate the experience! So live the experience to the fullest because soon all you see these moments turn into memories and the session will have flown by!privacy concerns)

europeans in SPACEby Titus Verster

The European Space Agency: possibly the new world leader in space travel?

Everyone knows NASA, very few people know ESA. However, the European Space Agency has grown to be one of the major players in space travel. With many projects running, the ESA is trying to provide solutions for global issues such as global warmth and a worldwide water deficit. Traditionally, space travel has always been a science led by the United States and the Soviet Union. As a part of the arms race during the Cold War, both countries were aiming to put the fi rst man on the moon. Both countries spent billions of dollars on this so called ‘space race’. In the 1970’s, as the relation between the US and the USSR improved, space budgets were cut. This created the possibility for less-experienced space agencies to compete with the big players like NASA. In this period, the European Space Agency (ESA) was founded. The ESA is a European organisation dedicated to the exploration of space. It currently consists of twenty member states and is running several outer space missions.

In the 38 years that passed, the ESA has expanded dramatically. With a staff of more than 2,000 employees and an annual budget of about four billion, the ESA has become one of the major players in space travel. This growth resulted in various groundbreaking missions. In January 2013, ESA fi nished a service module for NASA-capsule Orion. Moreover, the Agency has announced it will send satellites to Jupiter and its surrounding moons Calisto, Europa and Ganymedes. The ESA is hoping to fi nd underground oceans of liquid water.

There is one question people tend to ask when talking about space travel. Why exactly do we need to fi nd underground oceans on Europa? Is it not just a dream based on Star Trek, chased by professors trying to become the Captain Kirk of our generation?

The answer is no. ESA’s space activities are merely focussed on being benefi cial for citizens. ESA pursues a better quality of life on earth, greater security and economic wealth. A good example is the TIGER initiative.

This mission aims to provide data on the water supply of the Mediterranean region. Due to the effects of climate change, population growth and economic development, the water supply in the region was affected dramatically. ESA’s data might offer solutions to this crisis.

All in all, the European Space Agency has great potential of providing solutions to global crises in the future, and that is where you, delegates, come in. There may be some of you who are more interested in the scientifi c part of this universe, but still want contribute to society on a European or global level. If so, take the ESA in consideration, and perhaps you will be the next Captain Kirk, scouring the universe for alternative means of energy or new water sources. To the stars and beyond, for humanity!

Council of the EUWhenever the EU has to make a decision about a certain law or agreement, every country sends their minister in that field to join the Council of the European Union. Then, those ministers make the final decision to accept or reject the law. It also cooperates with the European Parliament to decide on the budget of the European Union. When voting, the Council of the European Union uses qualified majority.

European CouncilThis council comprises the Heads of State of all Member States. The Heads of State meet and decide together on the general direction they want the EU to head in. Generally, the European Council has to reach a consensus in order to make a decision. Their current president is Herman van Rompuy.

Council of EuropeThe council of Europe is in fact not tied to the EU. According to their website, their focus is “nurturing human rights”. For example, the recent events in Azerbaijan, where there was an appeal to keep two human rights activists in detention, are of great concern to the Council of Europe. Their secretary general is Thorbjørn Jagland.

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factsby Juan Estheiman Amaya Camposeco

Ready, set... EUROPe

One of the most important aspects about having a multicultural environment is the fact of sharing all the traits that make us unique. Language, history, gastronomy…

All of these enrich us to a point in which instead of being “threatened” by the influences of foreign countries, we can feel proud of our own roots, while still enjoying aspects of others.

Eurovillage is a perfect opportunity for us to relate to own brothers by finding ourselves, for a couple of minutes, in the shoes of a Portuguese, Spaniard, German or a Swede. The objective of this activity is to empathise and bond cultures by experimenting with costumes, food and performances.

In today’s edition of Eurovillage, we have found many things that have delighted our eyes (and bellies):- Lovely pasta from Italy,- Awesomely brewed beers from Belgium,- Spanish Churros,- German sausages,- The Irish performance (which was absolutely AMAZING), According to an official survey carried out through the CJO team, the preferences were:- Italy: 7 votes- Belgium: 6 votes

- I hate everything because I came late for the good food: 4 votes- Spain: 4 votes- Ireland: 2 votes- UK: 2 votes- Greece: 1 vote- Cyprus: 1 vote

The competition was fierce, the costumes were extravagant and the delegates were totally into their temporary nationalities. Having finished the delicious feast that everybody prepared and contributed to, the music took over. All nationalities blended into one unique mass of dance moves, as a proof that even though many colors represent us, we are all part of a huge unity. Europe.

Should the UK“It is time for the British people to have their say. It is time to

British people: this will The ‘European question’ that David Cameron, the UK’s prime minister party will be re-elected in 2014, he will hold a referendum. To stay in.

by Zephyr Brüggen

Nowadays Europe needs more integration, not less. That is why Germany and France have expressed their wish for the UK to maintain a constructive role within the EU. The UK, however, does not even use the euro. The way it is now, the UK has a special position, benefi ting from trade agreements but not abiding by all the rules. It is either the whole cake or none at all.

It is this integration issue that is the UK its main concern. They believe that integration in the single market partly led to the Eurozone crisis, from which the UK has suffered far less than the rest of Europe. The UK its fi nancial contribution to the EU, therefore, might have been disproportional for the last years. Would it be benefi cial for the UK to go its own way?

No. Being independent has a cost. The UK is a large contributor to the EU budget, but it also receives a lot in return. The possibility of moving around Europe freely and the freedom of workers’ movement, for instance.

Furthermore, the UK has always been one of the three hegemonic powers of Europe, together with

France and Germany. If the UK would leave, France and Germany would form an economic bloc. In conjunction with the other Member States they could pose an economic threat for the UK. The Britons will simply not belong anywhere anymore, and it is not strong enough to survive on its own. Think about that poor, isolated island, with the only thing protecting them from the big unifi ed power, the North Sea.

With a withdrawal from the EU, the UK would also be putting its international role at stake. It may lose the power to negotiate on platforms such as the World Trade Organisation. London may even suffer as one of the fi nancial capitals of the world. Industrial investors in Britain might be reluctant to invest in Britain if there is a signifi cant possibility that they could exit the EU.

It is as Cameron said: ‘If the UK would leave the EU, it would be a one-way ticket, not a return.’ Let us not buy this ticket, for the sake of both parties. For the cost of leaving is greater than the discomfort of staying.

Should the UKleave the EU?

and Matteo van Dijl

The relation between the UK and the continent has always been troublesome. If one is to ask an Englishmen whether he feels European, he will most defi nitely tell you “no”. This isolation mentality cannot only be explained geographically, but also historically: whenever the Britons interfered on the continent, it was to restore order.

The best way to defi ne the negative attitude of the UK towards the EU is by quoting former prime minister Margaret Thatcher: “I want my money back”. The general feeling about the EU is that the costs outweigh the benefi ts. Especially the regional development program has a lot of criticism, as the subsidies are not equally divided between the Member States. This and their fear of losing their sovereignty has often led them to obstruct the decision-making in the EU. The attitude of some of the Members of the European Parliament (MEP’s) can be described as just disrespectful. A good example of this is MEP Nigel Farage who not only said that the current President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, has the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low grade bank clerk, but also that

Belgium is a non-existing country, which I take as a personal insult.

In my eyes, the so-called ‘Brexit’ would be benefi cial for two reasons.My fi rst argument is that if we want a strong EU, it should only consist of those members who fully believe in the European project. In a world that is increasingly dominated by countries like China, Brasil or India, we should realise that the only way for us to play a role in world politics is by joining forces. This can never happen without giving up part of our sovereignty.My second argument is that even though David Cameron says that the ‘Brexit’ is a one-way ticket and not a return, I believe that after some time they will realise they have made a bad decision. This would be a very valuable lesson for them and give them that extra motivation that they are now clearly lacking.

All in all, it would be a good thing if the Britons would opt for a referendum and leave the EU. For them to realise that you never know what you have got until it is gone and for us to be able to move integration forward.

settle this European question in British politics. I say to the be your decision.” poses, has evoked commotion in Europe. If Cameron’s conservativethe EU on new terms, or come out altogether? That is the question.

victoria’s secretsAt every EYP event, an interview with the session President is integral to the press

coverage. However, these questions are usually developed by the journalists themselves. However, this time the Media Team of Amsterdam 2013 went around and

asked the delegates what they wanted to know from the session’s Godmother. We were amazed by some of the questions you guys came up with. We interviewed the

president, and here are the results.

by Eliane Zwart and Yannick Louwerse

First question: Have you even ridden a Moose before, since you are from Norway? Oke, wait wait wait wait, can I lie?Yes.Surely like every day from kindergarden till seventh grade, back and forth to school every day.

How can you cope with half a year without sunlight?We have sunshine, so the question is factually incorrect. We actually have more sunshine, because the sun reflects on the snow, which makes it even more beautiful. So instead of Mediterranean countries we should go to Norway.Yehehehehehehehhehes

How many EYP sessions have you attended?See, this is embarrassing. I have to count. I don’t know, 10+ no 20-. No seriously, somewhere in between.

Which one would you choose, skiing or snowboarding?Telemarking. Do you know what it is?Yes I know, they always look very clumsy but I’m sure you look fantastic on it. Like I could have said it myself. It’s a type of skiing.

What was your favourite part of being a delegate?Uhm, looking back. Having someone looking after you. Making sure you will have something in the end while just riding the flow. Riding the wave as we went along. And all the fun stuff the officials don’t know about. Aha, aha. (Which sure won’t happen here)

The last question: What was your most embarrassing moment?It was my first time chairing internationally. Frankfurt. So before the session the chairs were picked before the journalists. We were just told who the journalists were. There was one name I had never heard before. So what do you do when you don’t know someone? You look for them on Facebook. So I was supposed to stalk this poor

Romanian on Facebook. On the top of the site, you have the searching machine for Google. But on Facebook, the top right thing, back in the days, was where you made your events. So I made an event in this journalist’s name. And I was the only one attending. So there was basically the name of the journo and me attending. And another chair of the same session, he managed to make a screenshot of the whole thing. And of course that was spread like a fire. It was very embarrassing when I actually said hello to her. Yes, I was the one, who attended you on the Facebook event.

Anything else you would like to say to the delegates?Don’t talk too much, but act.

So, that is your lovely president! We hope you got to know here slightly better. For the full interview together with the video check out our blog at www.amsterdam2013.wordpress.com

the French touchby Marie Poupinel

“I will show you fear in a handful of dust.” – The WasteLand. TS Eliot

Landlocked Mali is embedded in the vast and lawless draught-stricken arc of the Sahel. Once it heralded as an influential Empire, steadily embarking on the pathway towards relative stability, its population brandishing with pride its independence and resilience, a beacon of peace. Backed by Islamists, militias have toppled the country back into a history of sectarian violence and widespread terror. The “dark” continent has become the theatre of a long line of ongoing conflicts. An arena of dire clashes fuelled by ethnical, religious and eco-political malaise. From the uprisings and outbursts of the Arab Spring, spearheading a movement demanding the toppling of coercive autocracy, to the recent unrest in Mali a Second “Wind of Change” is blowing. Fears of repeating Africa’s bloody past are rekindled as North Africa seemed to be slipping into the dark, despairing abysses of instability. A hotspot emblematic of chaos, characteristic of a past, tarnished by the unalterable impacts of the long-lasting grip of colonialism – a fertile soil for the budding of anti-Western sentiments.

The ”No Man’s Land” stretching from the West to South Sudan, provides a limitless realm for establishing an underground network of boundless

trafficking of all kind. Breeding terror and fostering the survival of riotous, disgruntled groups with an unflinching desire to deter Western presence, sweeping away the “Western sin’ by restoring to its right place the Islamist Flag. The fangs of terrorism have grown to maturity, sinking deep as militias have been abundantly reaping the benefits of political malaise, the tottering state of economies and the confusion entailed by the igniters of the Arab Spring. Tarred with the brush of extremism, three movements embodying unwavering Islamic faith have strengthened their hold of the region wreaking havoc and mayhem. To world’s eyes, this marks the deep rooted nature of an undeterred and increasingly fortified locus of terrorism. An emblem of the renaissance of widespread chaos which prompted the immediate reaction of Post Colonist countries, stirred by ancient fears resurfacing.

The rugged swathe of northern Mali left barren and evermore deserted by the Islamist’s trail of terror reflects the desperate, botched civilisation, torn between a paralysed, stunted political regime and the shackles of the ruthless Sharia law.

The stark reality of Sahel establishing itself as a locus for terrorist activity has struck the Western States brutally, outshining their hopes and endeavours for the progressive reconstruction of a region in ruins. Living amidst the rubble of dust, the issue of terrorism arteries being pumped with renewed energy poses a genuine threat. A state of urgency has reached its zenith. Highly sensed by the UN and Mali’s former colonial power, France, the contemplation of Al-Qaeda bonded groups entrenching themselves, laying the foundations of what already clearly appears to be a haven for terrorists has prompted immediate action...

For the full article, visit out our blog at www.amsterdam2013.wordpress.com

“challenge accepted!”by João Moreira & Juan Estheiman Amaya Camposeco

If you think Teambuilding was a real challenge, let us take things to a whole different level now! The first committee who can show that they have what it takes to complete these five critical tasks has the chance to receive a very, very special prize, which is:BEING ON THE COVER PICTURE OF OUR NEXT ISSUE!

1. Find out the colour of Editor Alex’s underwear,

2. Take a sexy Charlie’s Angels picture with the two Head-Organisers,

3. Make a video of your committee butt-spelling your committee name,

4. Perform the Gangnam Style dance during lunch,

5. Write a small love poem to the session’s President and make sure she receives it.

Whenever you plan to perform any of the tasks ensure that you collect proof of your success so we can validate it. If you have mastered all our challenges report to your journalist immediately to win the big prize!

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factsEuropean CommissionThe European Commission is probably one of the most well-known institutions of the EU. Headed by José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission represents the interest of the EU as a whole, not that of the individual member states. The EC proposes laws, represents the EU internationally and enforces EU law.

European ParliamentThis is what you, the delegates, enact during the session. The directly elected representatives of all EU Member States are the people who pass European laws and supervise the European Commission, similar to what a House of Commons does. The EP has 754 members. Think of this session, seven times in size and, instead of a few days, it takes forever.

European Central BankThe main responsibility of the ECB is to keep the financial system of the EU stabilised and inflation within bound. This means that they have to constantly supervise all banks in the EU. The ECB is owned and its shares are held by the 27 Member States of the EU. It is presided by the Italian banker and economist, Mario Draghi.

by Yannick Louwerse

a blogWhere to find all your pictures, articles, videos and more?

A vital question you will be asking yourselves one moment or another. In order to cater to this specifi c need we have build a blog. A comprehensive platform that integrates all the products of the Media Team. From articles to videos, from pictures to interesting links, anything you can think of has its own place on the blog. However, it is not the only purpose of the it. Next

to collecting material it also provides a platform for debate. In the debating section you will fi nd several topics that we have opened for discussion and that both outsiders and you can contribute to. Simply visit the blog at www.amsterdam2013.wordpress.com and go to the debating tab. Furthermore, make sure to check the blog for new content regularly as not to miss out on the latest

news, since we are constantly updating it with live feeds from the session. Lastly, on the following page and a half you will fi nd some abstracts (previews) of what type of media we have on our blog. Scan the QR code with your phone if an abstract catches your attention and you would like to read more about it. Enough said, time to go see it for yourselves.

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photoshop tutorial

If you want to learn how to use Photoshop to create awesome effects like this and more? Visit the cloud to learn all about it. In fi ve easy steps, I guide you from a relatively dull and ordinary picture, to a jawdropping eye-catcher. Not only will we do that, but all the things you’ll learn are useful for any editing job you might ever want to do!

To see more of this, visit The Photoshop Tutorial on the cloud! And be sure to read issue 2 to see Juan’s light-painting tutorial.

by Yannick Louwerse

“I saw...”

This is the moment to get rid of all your shyness and express your most personal wishes, desires or observations! In the “I saw…” section you’ll see what really goes on inside the delegates’, apparently serious and innocent, minds. Check it out!

- One of the jury members from the Amsterdam Prelim (brown hair, cute smile, elegant style…) makes our hearts beat faster – Delegates

- The blonde Irish chair, a beauty, when we fi rst saw you it was as if a miracle had come down from heaven – Delegates

- A girl dressed in a beige Greek outfi t, you’re fi t as a goddess – Delegate

- A blonde girl with green eyes, not even all the snow that has fallen today can extinguish my fi re that’s burning for you – Delegate

- One of the guys in the Belgian costume, you’re spicier than hot chilli! –Delegate

- British Harry Potter, make me your prisoner of Azkaban! – Delegate

f you want more, you can liberate yourselves by confessing your secrets to any journalist and follow our blog and Facebook pages at:

h t t p : / / a m s t e r d a m 2 0 1 3 .wordpress.com/news/the-uk-should-leave-the-eu/

http://www.facebook.com/amsterdamagazine

http://www.facebook.com/SpottedNationals

by Juan Estheiman Amaya Camposeco

UTZ Certified

Windesheim College