The Praha Pages

TeambuildingTeambuildingOpening CeremonyOpening Ceremony

Belarus InsightBelarus InsightYouth of TodayYouth of Today

April 8 2008 - Issue 2April 8 2008 - Issue 2

THE PRAHA THE PRAHA PAGESPAGES

2 | The Praha Pages

EDITORIAL

Sometimes communication needs to be taken to the extreme. Whether it involves putting your mobile phone in a plastic bag and lifting it up to the top of a flag pole in order to improve connectivity – as Head Organiser Klara (CZE) was recently seen doing – or just a simple shouting-at-each-other session at the male toilet facilities, a message is passed, information is exchanged. Then again, sometimes one is forced to deliver important messages in secret in a fear of severe punishment.

EYP sessions generate vast amounts of information of which only a fraction can be recorded. Thousands of photographs, ground breaking ideas and personal experiences emerge. This second issue of The Praha Pages aims at offering in-depth features of people and events at the session, free of constant supervision. Shockingly, not everyone in today’s Europe is guaranteed this freedom of expression. We hope you gain as much from reading these pages as we did in producing them.

“May we have a word?”

Campbell and Henna

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4 YOUTH OF TODAY

5 A MOMENT WITH THE PRESIDENT

6 BELARUS

7OPENING CEREMONY

8 “WHY DON´T WE UPGRADE IT?”- DROI

10 GLOBAL WARMING? REALLY? - CLIM

12 DEVELOPING A TEAM - DEVE

14 DRIVING WITH TRAN

15 LIEBE AUF DEN ERSTEN BLICK - LIBE I

17PRACTICAL LESSONS OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY

18 TALENT SHOW - ITRE II

19 A PROFITABLE DAY - BUDG

21 OVERCULTURED?

22 AN USUAL START

23 SUICIDAL DELEGATES WORKING FOR ONE PURPOSE

25 THE ECO-WARRIORS

26 THE AGRI JOURNEY

27 MISSION EMPLOSSIBLE - EMPL

28 ECONOMIC GROWTH - ECON

29 HERCULEAN TASKS - INTA

CONTENTS

“The youth of today, the leaders of tomorrow”- this is a saying that has been stalking us even before we referred to ourselves as the youth. But what do people really mean when they use this expression? Does it actually live up to its part as some kind of encouragement or is it simply just becoming one of those many clichés we do not even bother to question?

The truth is that we live in a reality where not everyone can benefit from this expression. Not only are dictatorships hindering populations from expressing themselves but the majority of young people that live under better circumstances seem not to care anymore. EYP is only one of the initiatives that have been taken in order to consider the opinions of the youth. However, even in such a small organization like EYP, we face a lack of transparency in the hierarchy where the people with most power get the final say.

Although this is happening it is safe to say that walking away is never the solution. If we go back in history we can find many examples of things that would not even exist if the people behind them would have chosen the easy way out. Think about it. What if Martin Luther King would have walked away? What if women would still not be able to vote? What if yours and my role in the society would be in the hands of someone else?

Whether you are exclusive or excluded, hang in there. The past generations have cleared the way for you, but now it is left in your hands.

Cliché or truth? Step up or Step away? Whatever your decision is, one

YOUTH OF TODAY

4 | The Praha Pages

Maria Chalhoub

Neglected Cliché steps into the light

”I am positive about this although it might come off as a cliché at times. The truth is that if you want to be heard, chances are that you will. You just have to believe in what you do and not let other people slow you down.” Eoin Rogers, IRL

”We have to take action ourselves and not always expect people to provide us with opportunities like EYP. EYP is a great start though and it is a real eye-opener. It teaches us to think European rather than just ”local” which is useful in all ways.” Hessam Mobasser, BEL

”I believe that it is possible but it is not something that is easy to achieve. It is not one of those things that is going to happen to you, but You have to put an effort into it for it to happen. The good thing about EYP is that it makes you aware of so much more and gets you thinking which is what you do before moving into actions.” Milda Sabunaite, LTU

thing remains true; you are a part of the youth, no matter what. However, it is only up to you if you want to make yourself heard and only you can decide if you want to become a leader of tomorrow. <<

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A MOMENT WITH THE SESSION PRESIDENT

Chris Drews and Leonie Wahjudi

How do you feel?Dace: Great! Fantastic, I’m loving this, I’m loving EYP, and especially Prague 08.

What do you think about this session so far?Dace: It’s absolutely amazing, it’s been great fun. So far, there have been no problems. I’m very much looking forward to Committee Work and heated discussions.

What makes this session unique?Dace: Unique? Every session is unique. There are always different delegates. They define the session and the delegates here have been great.

Could you briefly outline your EYP history?Dace: (sigh) Well, my first International Session was in Germany – Weimar, in 1999. Some people here weren’t even born back then (laughs). I was only fifteen years old. Since then, I’ve been in nearly all the roles that an EYP session has to offer: I’ve been a Journo, Chair, International Organiser, Head Organiser and Vice President. I enjoyed all of them. EYP is a very emotional learning experience.

Would you have imagined that you’d be a session’s president when you were still a delegate?Dace: No, I still can’t believe that. As a delegate, I was too shy to speak up. I had never thought that I’d be

presiding at a session one day.

What influence did the EYP have on you?Dace: I’ve learned an awful lot from the EYP: speaking up and giving speeches, many facts about Europe and its different cultures. I got to know friends for a lifetime and I could apply the EYP approach to my everyday life.

What do you do in your everyday life?Dace: I’m working for a broadcasting company in London. It’s a Business Development Analyst Project focusing on East Europe and the Balkan states. I’ve recently finished my studies in International Management.

What was the best EYP experience you’ve had?Dace: Being a Head Orga in VeRi ‘06. It was the hardest job I have ever done in my life, but at the same time it was the most rewarding one.

And your worst EYP experience?Dace: Staying in a nuclear bunker at the Swiss nationals a couple of years ago. We slept in this enclosed room with about 100 people – and I’m claustrophobic! I was freeking out...

Your funniest EYP experience?Dace: The Swiss bunker again. If a situation is really horrible, you can always turn it into a laugh.

Will this session mark the end of

EYP for you? And how do you feel about it?Dace: Yes, this will most probabaly be my last EYP session. Before I came here, I felt relieved and happy. But probably I’ll be very sad at the end of the session – it’s been so great so far.

What are your hobbies outside of EYP? Dace: Snowboarding and other outdoor sports such as hiking, reading and being lazy.

What three things would you take to a deserted island?Dace: My iPod, a lipgloss and sunglasses

What is your favorite endangered species?Dace: Polar bears – and especially the little Knut who lives in the Berlin zoo.

If you had only one more day to live – what yould you do with it?Dace: I’d invite all my friends and have a big party.

How come everyone calls you “Jill“ although your real name is “Dace“?Dace aka Jill: Marcus Pollard (GBR) could not pronounce my name and called me Jill. This would become my new name.

Do you have a message for the delegates?Dace: I hope you’re having as much fun as I am!<<

Dace Neimane (25), is the President of our session. She was born in Latvia, but now in lives and works in London. Although her role at this session does not leave her a lot of free time, she took some minutes to answer a few questions.

“anything with political undertones is wading into dangerous territory”

“The phones of the National Committee are tapped. Pin numbers and login passwords have been transferred to the possession of the KGB “

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BELARUS

“When you become too dangerous for us we will close you down”- the words of the KGB addressing EYP Belarus. A Belarusian delegate shares the realities of Europe’s last dictatorship.

Anna O´Leary and Ruben Wagenaar

are tapped. Pin numbers and login passwords have been transferred to the possession of the KGB (Belarussian Intelligence Agency) through inexperienced newcomers, who were continually threatened until they released this information. The idea of improving spoken English remains a key aspect which is used to draw in newcomers, however, the ever-increasing presence of the KGB often overshadows their efforts. With representatives of EYP in each city, information is spread through a network of friends . Recently the chair of the National Committee of EYP Belarus resigned following interrogation involving her emails and phone conversations being screened by the KBG, leaving her with no option but to resign.Crucially, there is no law to arrest EYPers for participating in EYP events. The KGB do not want the negative press associated with such

an arrest. It would involve too much scandal, provoking them to state: “When you [EYP] become too dangerous for us [KGB] we will close you down”. Expressed by this delegate, EYP Belarus would involve mass media and opposition parties if closure was to happen. Upon returning to Belarus, the delegates will hide resolution booklets under their clothes to conceal their activities. At the border they will

be searched to such an extent that even the photos on their cameras will be checked.>>

Olga has been involved with EYP for two years. She first came into contact with EYP at the Olympiad forum where EYP was explained as a ‘nice organizat ion where you can improve your English’. As time went on she began to realise that EYP is not only about improving language skills. As she stated, ‘You are free here, you can speak free here, and meet the kind of people, you would not meet anywhere else’.People in Belarus are usually shy. Why is this? They are afraid to speak out, to criticise, fearing punishment. The Belarusian delegation claims that EYP offers the opportunity to see real people. By this they mean people who are not afraid to speak their minds: people who will discuss current European issues – in other words, people who are not persecuted and oppressed.How does the Belarusian delegation make it to international sessions of EYP? After becoming involved in the initial process, the student must seek the permission of the Dean of the University to be able to leave the country to participate in an event. There are various excuses given for this purpose. For example, some claim that they are attending an ecological conference, others, a wrestling

competition, as anything with political undertones is wading into dangerous territory. Olga’s situation

is somewhat extraordinary, in that she does not need to guard the truth as closely as some others. She explained to the Dean of her University that she is a good

student who always studies well and was going to attend a debating conference. When no more questions were asked, no more information was volunteered. Olga is an active member of EYP Belarus and serves on the national committee. There are seven members of this committee. EYP Belarus operates through word of mouth, where nothing is communicated in print. The reasoning behind this is

that internet groups offer a safer territory for communication. The phones of the National Committee

“delegates will hide resolution booklets under their clothes to conceal their activities”

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One of the major obstacles posed to EYP Belarus is their legal status. National authorities refuse to officially register EYP Belarus as an organisation, although the Committee have tried three times. EYPers participating in activities of this unregistered organisation could consequently be arrested. Punishment would include higher taxes levied against them and their families, and expulsion from university.

OPENING CEREMONY“EYP is about the power of individuals acting together to bring about change.” Thus Dace Neimane (LVA), Session President, summarised why we are all here. Yesterday’s Opening Ceremony challenged us all to make the most of the opportunities presented to us at Prague 2008.

Mark Sheridan and Oscar Schonfeld

To conclude, a message from a Belarusian EYPer: “Everybody should know, there is a dictatorship in Belarus. Nevertheless, there are people who are ready to change this situation. They are ready to fight for a better future. The mood remains a revolutionary one.” What we must do is applaud their courage and strength and begin to support their efforts through every means possible. <<

Opening ceremonies at EYP are odd beasts. Typically an opening ceremony is intended to open an event and set the tone for the rest of proceedings. Yet, at EYP, by Monday morning we have already had over two days of Prague 2008. Teambuilding is an intense period of bonding by the end of which each committee and the session as a whole have already created their own atmospheres, their own tones. Yesterday’s Opening Ceremony then signalled a shift in the emphasis of the session towards the serious issues we have come here to discuss.

Yet, aside from the issues themselves, another clear theme resonated in many of the speeches. “What makes a great session?” Petr (CZE) asked.

“It is the people”, he concluded. Yet when you break it down, the group is composed, as Dace said, of individuals acting together. Behind the topics and behind the resolutions are the “motivated people” to whom Adrian (IRL) referred. These individuals have great abilities and huge promise, but two days into the session there is still much potential to be realised. Pavlina (CZE), President of EYP Czech Republic,

encouraged delegates to “step out from the shadows” and take full advantage of the opportunities the session affords.

“Let us not be islands anymore but unite to create poignant resolutions, lasting friendships and enduring memories,” Carlene (GBR) urged. Adrian pointed out that the delegates

of EYP are at the root of something which spreads its branches across Europe. The fruits of this tree are our resolutions, our hopes and dreams for the future. Dace listed some of the pertinent issues facing the world today for which the young people of Europe should be seeking the answers. She spoke of a lack of democratic transparency in Zimbabwe, the possibility of an Olympic boycott in China, an anti-Islamic film in The Netherlands and a large amount of baggage lost at Heathrow airport. When we come together to voice our opinions about the complex issues which Dace challenged us to address our views will be heard. Phillip Scharff (DEU), Executive Director of the Heinz Schwartzkoff Foundation, explained that some of the topics for Prague 2008 had been suggested by members of the European Parliament who are now eagerly awaiting the opinions of Europe’s youth. A greater opportunity to make an impact could not be wished for. As Dace concluded, “It’s up to you to actively seek the solutions and challenge yourself.”<<

The first issue of The Praha Pages reminded us of the CCC that we face at every session; a chance, a challenge, a choice. The first two days have already proven this to be true. Meeting by the “forest-ish thing,” the teambuilding of the Committee on The Human Rights (DROI) had officially begun. Starting with simple games to jog their grey cells, the committee was given a chance to express their personalities. Discovering that we have heroic Helina (CYP) and ambitious Ana (ESP) on board, with a mad Mike (POL) as Captain, the good ship DROI was ready to set off from shore and confront the restless EYP waters.

C H E - C H E D I - C H E D I D O -NONONONO AhmedEveryone knows that the best way to warm up in the wintry weather is to play energetic ball games. However, due to the ball shortage, an alternative had to be found. An apple as the most suitable substitute soon grew close to their hearts so ‘Ahmed the Apple’ became a mascot of the committee. The next step was to come up with a committee shout and it was obvious that Ahmed must be included. You have surely heard “CHE CHEDI CHEDIDO NONONO Ahmed” resounding around the session and you have probably been wondering what it means. To reveal you the secret, the shout actually represents the beginnings of the names of our five musketeers, Ahmed included.

The first day of the teambuilding was in the spirit of fun and joy. Learning about their cultural backgrounds, their differences and similarities, what they like or dislike. Behind the obvious reason for playing silly games, more important is the creation of a positive atmosphere in order for everyone to feel comfortable among the committee members. It was surprising how effortlessly the committee managed to build the team spirit and remain energetic until the very end of the day.

Four inches/ten centimetres on 1, 2, 3With the foundations of the team being set, the committee’s next challenge was to tackle more>>

“WHY DON’T WE UPGRADE IT?”

8 | The Praha Pages

Albina Stimac

DROISo what could a group of complete strangers be doing in inaccessible Borovice? Could it be more than trying to make a perfect square in the rain while blindfolded?

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demanding tasks, namely problem solving games. The first one on the list was The Magic Stick. What seemed easy at first, turned out to be just the opposite. The DROI dream team faced their first problem. After a short debrief, it was concluded that the lack of communication and not listening to Natalya (UKR)’s leads made it impossible to finish the game. However, being a team with an unbreakable spirit, DROI didn’t surrender. On the contrary, they were highly determined to overcome the obstacle. The second try was, unsurprisingly, a 180 degree turn in comparison to the first one. Moving the stick “four inches, ten centimetres on 1, 2, 3” the team successfully lifted the stick up into the air and put it back on the ground. The game pushed the committee to move and breathe as one. It forced them to listen to each other and trust one person to lead the entire team. After being additionally motivated by a promised reward, DROI enthusiastically proceeded with the trust games.

Why don’t we upgrade it?The spider web is a perfect combination of both a trust and problem-solving game. It is probably one of the most difficult games to be played at the teambuilding. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop chair Mike to make it even tougher. Being used to his favourite phrase “Why don’t we upgrade it?”, the committee was not surprised with having to play the

game blindfolded. With a carefully planned strategy and mutual trust, by taking into account everybody’s ideas and compromising, the dream team l u c r a t i v e l y a c c o m p l i s h e d the mission impossible. This naturally boosted the committee’s confidence and proved to them that they can work together as a constructive team. Throughout the weekend, an e x t r a o r d i n a r y t r a n s f o r m a t i o n occurred. A group of complete strangers has become a circle of dear friends. Given such a short time frame, the achievement is, least to say, remarkable. The first part of the session is behind us, but the unpredictable EYP waters most surely have many challenges in store. As Michal stressed, “two days of teambuilding are over but the building of the team is not.” The obstacles are inevitable, but also necessary for the further development of the team. Finally, the committee on Human Rights has made a choice

to make a difference and this is why they are here. They are about to embark upon the controversial issue of human rights violation in Pakistan. If the creativity and dedication they have shown continue, the DROI ship will, without a shadow of a doubt, sail triumphant into the right harbour. <<

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Borovice is cold in the morning. Nonetheless, in true EYP fashion, the delegates failed to let the chill numb the atmosphere at the beginning of their session, putting on a good show for all with their rousing country songs. Understandably, CLIM’s spirits were somewhat lifted after the first coffee break when the sun finally burnt off the last of the morning mist and broke forth upon Prague 2008. Only Simon (NOR) was immune to the cold. Indeed, such hardy souls as Denis (CHE) and Mikaela (FIN) were heard exclaiming their dismay at frozen feet and hypothermic hands. However, Arctic conditions aside, CLIM continued with warm

hearts and willing minds.

RevelationsRebecca (IRL) has seven brothers and two sisters. Family holidays were reminiscent of the old clown cars with child after child emerging from an impossibly small back seat. Frighteningly, Denis (CHE), Julian (DEU), Georgi (BGR) and Simon (NOR) all revealed that they are ‘very lazy’…which bodes well for the rest of the session, but thankfully all agreed that they had a ‘burning desire to tackle climate change.’

The committee outlined how climate change affected their countries and

it seems that across Europe climate change has a variety of impacts. Drought in Cyprus is matched by flooding in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Glaciers melt in Norway and Switzerland while polar bears suffer from dwindling ice cover on Norwegian islands in the Arctic Circle.

Successes, Worries and Lessons LearnedMost chairs (and indeed journos) like to see their committees do well, solve problems, complete games and work successfully as a team. Sometimes it can go a little too well. Sam (CHE), to put it kindly, is an experienced

chair, but even he was scrambling to come up with games after CLIM rattled through game after game without breaking a sweat. Rarely has a Human Knot been solved so quickly. The Swamp all but dried up to provide the committee rapid and safe passage. For a time, Sam’s repertoire of teambuilding exercises was in serious jeopardy of being exhausted, but finally the team met a challenge.

We have probably all spent time in traffic jams, but we should all thank our lucky stars that we have never needed to cross a single-lane bridge in non-reversing Skodas. Needless to say,>>

The Committee on Climate Change blew teambuilding away. Flooded with talent, they rained successes across Borovice. In the aftermath, a torrent of friendship washed away any lingering worries about the looming threat of Committee Work. Things will only get hotter!

GLOBAL WARMING? REALLY?

CLIM

Oscar Schonfeld

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the Traffic Jam Game was far from trivial. It might have been thought impossible for CLIM to raise its game again after a stupendous Saturday, but the arrival of Antonio (PRT) for teambuilding on Sunday bolstered its analytical arsenal. Distancing himself from the rest of the committee and working over a coffee break (Yay! A non-lazy CLIM delegate!) Antonio meticulously planned out a solution for the game and successfully led the group in its implementation.

CLIM likes to work as a team of equals, but the Traffic Jam Game was a valuable lesson in the importance of effective leadership in certain situations as well as the need for proper planning to solve complex problems. The Red Blue Game Theory Game was their only failure, but perhaps we can blame that on the toxic influence of the committee on Civil Liberties II. They realized the worth of listening carefully to one another and to instructions, working with rather than against each other. CLIM took these lessons to heart and will doubtless apply them to Committee Work over the coming days.

Trust and FriendshipCLIM are not a big committee, but over the past few days they have become an exceedingly closely-knit one. Despite the cold, the wet and most of all the mud, CLIM

persevered in their last teambuilding game. The Spider’s Web brought levels of trust to the fore. Elie (GBR) was initially unsure about being lifted through one of the higher gaps – not because of a lack of trust of her fellow delegates but because she worried for the safety of her lifters (oh alright, and herself) on the slippery mud. Ieva (LVA) was equally uneasy about the prospect of becoming the Drunken Bottle the day before but overcame her nerves and trusted herself to the group.

‘How confident do you feel working in this group in the next few days?’ The answer: t w e n t y - t w o thumbs up!<<


It was a cold, misty morning when the Committee on Development first met on the soft, soggy football pitch. Still sleepy, huddled and freezing the delegates were standing in a circle wondering what to expect from this first day of Teambuilding.Most members of DEVE already had some EYP experience, giving them a vague idea of what to expect. However, an International Session is always a little different and the large amount of people can be quite overwhelming initially. All the new faces from so many different countries seemed to have intimidated each other a little.But this situation did not last for long. Still having slow reactions during the first name games (it is hard to imagine how hard it is to catch a tennis ball), the committee finally awoke by playing Cat and Mouse. They were chasing each other so passionately that it was hard to believe that these were the very same people that were standing in this circle so shyly just twenty minutes before. Matthew (IRL) proved himself as a “perfect mouse”, driving all the girls mad by escaping capture again and again. Being warmed up and energized now, DEVE was very enthusiastic and ready for each of the new dances and songs.

Overcoming StrugglesThe first challenging task for the group was the Human Knot. They were twisted together tightly and it seemed as if whenever they

dissolved one section of the knot, another twist would appear within seconds. But DEVE had to get used to these sorts of situations. Their committee topic is the EU-Africa-China relations. They will have to deal with questions such as whether the EU should loosen its restrictions towards African governments in order to profit economically. This would mean risking more internal quarrels inside Africa and neglect human rights? The questions that will arise during Committee Work will be just as twisted as the Human Knot.

The committee was actually on the verge of giving up when George (GRE) asked if it was possible to cheat. Of

DEVELOPING A TEAM

Chris Drews

course it was not! But DEVE was still smart enough to solve the situation without any tricks. After a period of some concentration and revision of the strategy, they even managed to solve the knot without talking!

The next game was even more challenging and also had some parallels with the committee’s topic. All the DEVE members had to stand on a tiny blanket and flip it around without losing contact with it. The general atmosphere in the committee was already so positive that they did not mind the physical contact at all, as they were cramped really closely together. Sexy, sexy DEVE! The blanket can actually be seen>>

DEVEDeveloping is a process. The Committee on Development went through such a process on the first two days of the session. Trust, Technique and Tennis balls were a winning combination for this international bunch.


as a symbol for the over-populated world we live in. China especially is a country with enormous needs for energy and resources. The DEVE members had to shift and to step back, letting others pass in order to flip the blanket. This might have been a useful lesson for Committee Work.

The Blanket Game was exhausting but, together with Ramses’ (NLD) ingenious strategy and Helena’s (BGR) jumping technique, it was

finally mastered so that DEVE could proudly go to Eurovillage and relax.

“Now I can understand how it feels to be in another person’s place!”On the next day, Miguel (PRT) was introduced as a new member to the group. He was quickly integrated without any problems. No wonder! How could you not feel welcome in such a nice committee?!Having learned from the last day’s struggles, DEVE worked with impressive efficiency on the next

tasks. They developed strategies beforehand and succeeded instantly in the Spider’s Web and The Number Crunch. “It is important not to panic!”, Iryna (UKR) rightly concluded. It was good to see how everybody was participating in discussing the strategies and how the whole committee was listening to one another. Lovely Chair Milda (LTU) has certainly done a great job in bonding them so closely together. “We trust each other now”, said Evija (LVA) while everyone nodded.<<

How do you feel when you hear the European Anthem?

Monika(ROU)

George(CYP)

DON´T SAY A WORD


Imagine yourself as a carpenter that expects mountains of work carving rough pieces of wood to create a masterpiece, and actually you discover these pieces already polished and refined. This was what it was to encounter the TRAN committee. It was just adorable to watch these parts come together during teambuilding. One of the best things about EYP is that you get to know various personalities, and with this committee it was all about diversity.The teambuilding “party” started with the “name” game. Everyone was a bit withdrawn, but the ice was soon broken. Özden Kinik’s (TUR) name was a real challenge for most

of the people because of its unique pronunciation. Then, everyone began getting to know each other through the “two truths and one lie” game. This inspired the TRAN committee to bring out their early childhood drama. Scarlett Benson (GBR) stated that she experienced her first murder as a kid, by killing a pigeon. The feeling of guilt has not emerged yet. When it comes to challenging your body, Erics Varpahovskis (RUS) is the man: allegedly he has broken both of his legs at the same time… Jenna Ruohonen (FIN) is trying to trick people with the innocent blond hair (she is not a natural blond… shush!). Looks can be deceiving -

this TRAN blonde knows how to hit the drums. Human knot is usually the biggest problem for the most EYP committees. Organization, interaction, communication were all greatly in evidence during this game, which is why the TRAN triumphed in this game. Passing the ball was one of the most enjoyed games, which was no problem for Beatrice van Tornout (BEL) who passed the ball with tremendous enthusiasm, like a real EYPer. When you get involved with the spider‘s web, things heat up by a few degrees. Everyone was a bit confused. Morten Moum (NOR) decided to clarify it for Scarlett >>

TRAN

DRIVING WITH TRAN

“Transportation is the finest committee you’ll find, we in TRAN are the best you’ll find”

Aleksandar Tosovic


Benson (GBR): “this is your hole, you should use it”. This comment was (unsurprisingly) understood in a slightly different way. Beloved chair Sonja Weicker (DEU) decided to mix things up with another committee by the name of AGRI using the “dwarfs, giants, wizards” game. The committees accepted the challenge right away. Conor Hamil (IRL) provoked AGRI with the line “Let me see you now….FARMERS”. As expected, “the drivers” battled “the farmers”. Could you actually build a team without the “Honey tell me that you love me” game? Well, not exactly. According to the performance, Liene Skorodere (LTU) is an “Ice Lady” since no one managed to melt her frosty face and make her smile. Alex Mettraux (CZE) and Eftychia Spyridaki (GRE) tried to win each other’s smiles in a rather passionate and seductive style.Throughout the whole first day

of teambuilding the lovely TRAN committee was missing one member. Ines Aguiar Branco (PRT) graced us with her presence on the second day of teambuilding. It was just amazing how she fitted in almost immediately. After the all-weather extremes, the team bounced to their committee room. Inside the warm and cozy room the group was on a mission to ensure

the safety of the white egg. Jelena Jaksic (CRO) was quite shocked by the albino egg, since they have eggs with more melanin in Croatia. Apparently.The teambuilding was undoubtedly filled with a tremendous amount of fun and joy. The Most essential thing is that the team TRAN is more than ready for the committee work challenge. <<

LIEBE AUF DEN ERSTEN BLICKA meaningless pun? No, it is not just about love at first sight, but about a loving atmosphere in the Committee on Civil Liberties I. Welcome to LIBE I.

Julia Khurchakova

LIBE I

doubt that they will succeed in their pursuit. Teambuilding is a process that gives answers to questions which may seem impossible: how can team spirit be created in 2 days? If you still do not believe in the efficiency of teambuilding, visit room 30 and watch LIBE I at work.

The beginning of these two unforgettable days was unusual and

Teambuilding is a part and parcel of every EYP session. It’s a background which forges relations within the committee and provides fundamentals for inspired committee work, fruitful discussions, a successful and appreciated resolution, and finally it helps to establish friendship and communication which crosses all borders. This is what LIBE I has already started to implement, and there is no

exciting as though mysterious socks were selected as a place of meeting. In order to relieve the tension of this initial meeting, the committee, lead by Mike (Chair, GBR) played name games. Imagine their surprise when they realized there were three girls named Julia! LIBE became a family for Mirella (GRE), smiling broadly all the time, Sofia (PRT), examining deeply what she said, >>


delicate that web can be and how easily the thread can be touched. To make the task even more intricate, Mike challenged them and asked them to speak their native languages.

Although the weather was dull, the girls took off their “spare” clothes in order to not graze the net and ultimately to fulfill this task. Of course every task requires its sacrifice and so they were hands, faces, trousers and jackets which got dirty with mud in the thick of the struggle.

What means more than fun is that these delegates are not strangers any more. They confronted difficulties, disputed, and learnt how to find a compromise. Now they are more than a committee, they are a Team, ready for further challenges. The obstacles are inevitable and the challenge is to overcome them. What’s next? Now, it is time to tackle committee work. LIBE I does not have any flash points, limits or borders anymore – they can

Henni (FIN), encouraging others in discussion, Lisa (SWE), open-minded and joyful, Angela (ITA), very conclusive, Laura (FRA), radiating French charm, Delia (ROM) with a lot of optimism, Ingrid (ESP) cheerful and energetic. Then come the boys, also constantly in action. Daniel, (NOR), a person of considerable talent, Christian ( D E U ) , c o n f i d e n t l y discussing his points and Lyon (BEL), intelligent and well-mannered.

After everyone felt more comfortable with names, they went on to Magic Stick, the game where one has to move a stick up and down whenever the chair likes. Behind the scenes, the delegates confessed to cheating… Strategy became an point of discord, but LIBE didn’t give up. What they learnt is that making decisions in one circle rather than in different groups brings consensus and understanding. After the exhausting morning it was time to have a short break with energizers. Who could

possible be against playing Pass The Orange??? LIBE I is definitely in favour…

The next day the silent forests of

Borovice were awakened with the battle cry “Borovice!” and “Amoeba!” No, war had not been declared, nor it was an invasion of Indians. It was LIBE I playing an entirely new game invented by Mike. Then the Committee on Civil Liberties solved the tricky game Spider Web. They started with quick but precise preparation and took the plunge straight towards the web. Subsequently they found out how


PRACTICAL LESSONS OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY

If The Russian National Ballet saw the Romanian country presentation they might die of envy.

Stanislav Korshunov Photos: Aleksandar Tosovic

A silent, peaceful Saturday evening in Borovice is filled with singing and shouting. Young ladies and gentleman in national costumes were presenting their countries through song and dance. The performances, starting from the German video presentation and ended by the Bulgarian dances, electrify youth from all over Europe. Besides the traditional, but nevertheless exciting Italian, Spanish and French singing, one had a chance to know the secret of cooking Swiss fondue. Romanian and Cypriot dancing warmed up the audience. The professionalism of the event was highlighted by Portugal’s singing and a breathtaking folk dance,

performed by the Polish delegation. The apogee of the performance was the appearance of the “all mighty” Irish delegation, preceded by a new

rendition of good old Abba. “The Green team” impressed their hard-to-please audience through a fascinating display of athletic and vocal skills and added a touch of informality to the proceedings. Throughout the whole evening it was impossible to be a passive spectator. Those not involved in country presentations were invited to the stage by Cypriot, Greek and Italian delegations. Even our beloved orgas could not stand aside and threw themselves into a stunning, Czech folk-rock song. The ceremony

concluded with the revolutionary Bulgarian girls, who showed how diverse European countries are. At the same time collective singing of the Macarena, Champ d’Elysees, and Volare proved that participants from numerous different countries know and share the cultural values of their neighbours.<<

“We were excited with the feeling of being tied up”


Unless you are from Sweden, you would probably not know what this means. ITRE II does! Following a series of workshops that were led by this committee’s members, they learned a whole lot from each other. This c o m m i t t e e has so much talent! Ioannis (GRE) could probably give a complete lecture about body language – this boy knows a whole lot about how to understand the others’ gestures, posture and stance! Thanks to Slawomir (POL) and Mariam (RUS), ITRE II now knows all about the Polish and Georgian letters, and Quentin (FRA) has shared his impressive artistic talents with us.

However, this committee has not only proven to consist of very talented individuals, its members have also shown to be very capable of working as a group. Already on their first day of teambuilding (TB), they built a beautiful house (though I cannot deny that it was not resistant enough to survive the blowing wind of Borovice... some of you might have seen our house ). They are all brilliant streetfighters; Mariam (RUS) has by now perfected to defend the “Sonic Boom“ - “Iiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeee!“. The game “Berlin Ball“ was further developed thanks to Gustaf (aka “Good Stuff“) and

right in the beginning ITRE II took up the challenge of playing “Giants, Wizards, and Dwarfs“ against another committee. I am not sure if they understood the game, though.

I had the impression that they t h o u g h t they were p l a y i n g “ G i a n t s only“...

Finally, at the very end of TB, ITRE II set themselves a task. You might think that they chose a simple exercise, but no, they came up with a truly complicated p u z z l e which they c o m p l e t e d easily. Five bl indfolded “horses,“ with the other delegates on their backs, had to reach the football goalpost. In order to do so, they had

to cross about fifty meters of slippery and dirty ground. It was impressive with how much trust and bravery they took the challenge.

In the upcoming days, Anna, Ioannis, Quentin, Slawomir, Hrvoje, Gustaf, Andrea, Kjell, Tomáš and Mariam will discuss the very controversial topic of nuclear energy. Their first discussion has already been very fruitful. Brainstorming the issue of nuclear energy, they came to >>

ITRE II

TALENT SHOW

“Ole dole doff Kinke lane koffKaffe bane binkeLane ole dole doff!“

Leonie Wahjudi


several significant conclusions. First of all, it is a hot topic that is on the agenda. Many of the EU member states are currently discussing the issue. Moreover, as Hrvoje (HRV) put it, “Energy gives power“ and the aspect of reliance on energy imports are closely linked to ITRE II’s topic.

The political decisions being taken now will effect future generations. That’s us, the youth of Europe; and it will be our children and grandchildren one day. It is us who must choose the right path. Moreover, the energy mix we decide to use has a huge impact on the environment. The pros and cons of nuclear energy and their effect on our world have to be taken into consideration.But to what conclusion will this committee finally come? <<

A PROFITABLE DAYBUDG

Mark Sheridan

“At the core of us all, there is a need to communicate.” – Adrian Clarke (IRL)The Committee on the Budget put on a master class in information exchange, learning an awful lot about one another and about the dynamics of a successful, efficient team.

Communication is the currency of teambuilding. The delegates of Isabella (Chair, SWE)’s Budget committee certainly had a wealth of information to impart. Upon reflection, it is clear that their success later on was due, in a huge way, to openness and cooperation. So cohesive was the team dynamic, that the group could pass a small teddy bear to each and every member of the committee, while saying their name, in an astounding four seconds. The practical applications of this skill may be unclear to some, but it is an impressive feat nonetheless. The enthusiasm of the group was commendable. In order to become closer, they willingly fulfilled the roles of polite acquaintances, arguing siblings and old companions.

Each committee member was capable of sharing a substantial amount of information. Georgina (GBR) and Melissa (TUR) were effectively finishing each other’s sentences in listing the many things they had in common. They expressed a common approval of skinny jeans, British music and smores. It was Marius (DEU) and Cirri (NOR) who displayed a real ability to innovate in this task. They discovered the effective method of listing the most obvious facts possible. For example, they established that they are both Europeans. Even more innovative was the decision to list everything that didn’t apply to them. For example, did you know that neither of them plays the trombone? This strategy carried them to victory, with

over forty things in common. >>


This ability to communicate and innovate ensured success in just about every game that was played. The river game posed few problems as they developed an ingenious way to transport “Little Ben” – Isabella’s British bear – across the dangerous abyss. While creating a series of linked scarves, they tied another to Ben and were able to slide him easily from one side to the other. This was just one of many creative schemes formulated to overcome the obstacle. The scarves could certainly be seen to represent the social, political, and cultural ties between the citizens of Europe, and their common aspirations of peace, prosperity and progress (*gag* – ed.). Your correspondent was truly impressed with the speedy completion of this game.

Communication does not necessarily have to have to be practical. The committee proved this point in their vigorous versions of Street Fighter, Machimba and The Banana Song. They screamed, shouted and jumped about; expressing themselves in a way that only a fruit-related sing-along can stimulate. The physical nature of these songs and games enables a unique form of communication. The message can be complex, or simply one of fun. And the members

of BUDG were certainly enjoying themselves.

A kind of impaired communication was also explored. The committee was asked to draw images on each

other’s backs while blindfolded. They then had to silently identify themselves and divide into groups accordingly. This game demonstrated the potential for information loss and the problems of miscommunication. For all the committee’s success, they did face some challenges in this regard. The blind square was initially a problem. Issues in the planning stages complicated matters

and resulted in a distorted shape. But eventually, after extensive planning, they managed to solve the puzzle in equilateral fashion.

Planning was certainly a strong suit for this committee. They navigated the Marsh with a very effective system. Siri (NOR) drew up a grid and each committee member ventured across the squares, using a method of trial and error. However, his extensive planning carried with it some consequences. The committee certainly faced some challenges with timing and efficiency. The

monster game was illustrative of this. The committee’s determination was admirable though, and they certainly learned from their experience.

After a very intense game of “The Murderer,” the committee evaluated

the decision-making process by discussing, at length, the merits of voting and consensus. On the one hand, there was the efficiency of voting, but on the other, there were diplomatic consequences for not taking all views into account. They eventually agreed to strike a balance between the two, striving to achieve consensus where ever possible.

Once again, the skills of communication and innovation meant that the committee could take a practical, yet creative approach to any situation. This will surely stand to their credit in committee work and if they launch into the discussion with

the same vigour as with their cries of “Go Banana! Go, Go Banana!” they will definitely produce something special. <<


“multicultural populations are here to stay”

OVERCULTURED?The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue is here. Naturally, for EYP, encouraging cultural exchange is second nature, but as you enjoy Eurovillage, Country Presentations and Euroconcert do you ever stop to think about what these events are for? The theory behind cultural events such as these is less than clear. With the increasing mobility of populations within Europe resulting from the freedom of movement enshrined in the Treaty of Rome and the ever-growing numbers of migrants entering the EU from around the world, multicultural populations are here to stay.

Oscar Schonfeld

We live in a globalised world where individuals can hold multiple identities without contradiction or clash of values. It is not possible to identify oneself as, for example, a Turkish German Muslim European or a Scottish Indian British Hindu without implying an inherent conflict of cultures or beliefs. Europe’s culture, rather than becoming a single McDonald’s culture is diversifying. In the past, cultural contrasts followed ethnic if not political boundaries, with neighbouring towns displaying related but distinct cultures. Today cultural exchanges happen within communities and families. Children learn about the cultures of their fellow students and carry home their knowledge. Neighbours exchange cultures across the garden fence.

As such Europe’s culture is becoming a highly variegated spectrum where clear boundaries can no longer be defined. The type of cultural exchange typified by Eurovillage and Country Presentations is, therefore, somewhat outmoded in a modern Europe. The coherent national cultures displayed on the stalls at Eurovillage no longer reflect the variety of the cultures of most European countries. That is not to say that there is no value in such displays of traditional national cultures. The

dances and traditional dress that are ever-present at EYP cultural events are important representative symbols that tie countries and cultural groups together, separating them

visibly from the ‘other’ with their different cultural symbols. It must be acknowledged though that they form only an element of the cultural identities

of European citizens.

The next International Session of EYP in Liverpool this summer will be centred around the theme of multiculturalism. The session slogan for LivEYP is ‘Many Faces, Different Spaces’. In the context of a diverse and mobile Europe this seems particularly a p p r o p r i a t e . However, the challenge for the Liverpool session will be to reflect a nuanced theme with cultural events that display the same appreciation of multifaceted European culture.

We must also question what

is meant by cultural dialogue as opposed to cultural exchange. Cultural dialogue is not a dialogue about cultures imagined or real as at Eurovillage and Country Presentations; these are better classed as cultural exchange. Instead Committee Work and General Assembly are better models for cultural dialogue as it should now be defined. Cultural dialogue is a dialogue between cultures about global issues that affect us all, such as terrorism, climate change and the other issues that will be discussed over the coming week. Therefore, it is perhaps to the more academic aspects of the session that we should be looking for the real cultural content of Prague 2008.<<


On Saturday morning, the 5th of April, fourteen strangers and one wise man met each other on a cold and wet field under three bare flag poles. And then they met each other again and again and again, each time under different circumstances. They shared hysterical laughs at unknown jokes, grieved together over the loss of a relative, they saw one another after long years of separation and met some people along the way they rather they hadn’t met. Needless to say, after having shared all these experiences they were no longer strangers and were already starting to look like a group named AFET 1.

Balloons with questionsThe wise man, who had identified himself as Hadrien (DEU), the Chairman of AFET 1 during the series of meetings, subsequently handed out 14 balloons to his new followers with a question on each one. The team then exchanged them to find out new things about each other such as their favourite colour, their idol and their hopes for the session.

Pouring ProblemsAfter having gotten sufficiently acquainted with each other, the Committee on Foreign Affairs was ready to face it’s first big challenge: to build a 14-meter bridge between a tree and a lamp post with five hands and six feet on the ground. They went over dozens possibilities and had a very thorough discussion

on how best to tackle this problem. Because of the extreme length of the bridge they needed a lot of time to come up with a solution. This was not helped by the pouring rain which drove them to end the long discussions and give it a few hurried tries. Unfortunately the long bridge was very hard to erect by 14 people simultaneously and they had to give up and run for shelter and warmth. A game of “Street Fighter” brought some new energy and courage into their bodies and made them hungry for more.

The second challenge the wet warriors faced was “The Sheep and Shepherd game”. In this game a designated “shepherd” tries to bring his lost sheep back to the barn without using his voice. This game turned out to have hilarious results as nearby committees who had agreed on the same method of finding sheep (by clapping hands), were drawn to the signals of AFET 1 and came to the AFET barn with their arms stretched in front of them in a zombie like fashion.>>

AFET I

AN UNUSUAL START

Hessam Mobasser


A new day, a new face, a new project.On the second day the committee welcomed Pedro (PRT) into their midst. Despite having missed an entire day of teambuilding, Pedro was integrated into the team in a surprisingly smooth and quick way.

When the AFET 1 faced off with CLIM for a game of “dwarfs, wizards and giants” they showed their cunning by developing a method for spying on the opposing committee. This method will of course not be disclosed in this article for security reasons. The session theme was not forgotten during Teambuilding, as the delegates were asked to develop a project for using renewable energy.

At the end of the day the members of AFET 1, who had started under three bare flag poles, were ready to fly the flags of AFET 1, EYP and the European Union high and proud.<<

SUICIDAL DELEGATES WORKING FOR ONE PURPOSE

Maria Chalhoub

AFET IIIn their third day as a team and first day as a committee, this group are celebrating diversity while discussing its loss.

The 57th international session of the European Parliament is taking place somewhere in the middle of nowhere. The weather remains chilly but AFET II is not complaining, as they are already on their way to the

Middle East. Entering the third day together as a team and the first day of committee work, these confidant delegates were eager to get started. While their Chair, Ece (TUR), was somewhere else bumping into things

while tracking down her contacts, the delegates got right down into the problems.A tense debate quickly developed as soon as religion was mentioned. One part of the committee claimed that religion has a greater impact on the Middle Eastern conflicts than the rest, who disagreed and made it clear that religion cannot be considered as a problem – as it is one that has no solution. Although this committee is busy playing politicians at the moment, these guys come from a background that involves everything from running into trees to being punished with butt-spelling. To quote the charming chair of this>>


Spending too much time socializing with each other and thus leaving too little time to carry their plan out, the outcome of some of the games came as a surprise to us all. While the knot game resulted in three circles comparing to the ideal of one, the humming game proved that the majority of the delegates were suicidal. As if this was not enough evidence confirming that any game involving blindfolds is not suitable for this committee, Ece decided to give it another shot, unfortunately. Without going into any further details, this committee learned from its mistake after watching Florian (DEU), flying into a tree at full speed. As day three draws to a close, this compatible group of people have just entered the desert. They have a long road ahead of them and while many things might change along the way, their memories will remain. After all, memories never die. <<

committee >-“Teambuilding is a process that continues all the way through the session”. So how far have they actually gotten in these adventures process and what did teambuilding teach them? “We are here to discuss serious political things and act like a team with complete strangers. So being able to just work with people that you do not even know and actually succeeding is a great thing. It was also quite fun to be dragged in the mud! ”- Aldo Sari, (FIN)“I really enjoyed one game where we had to communicate with each other while speaking our native language. It showed me that even though we are from different countries we can all interact together.” – Anja Nedremo (NOR)Starting off with name games, the biggest committee of the session consisting of six ladies and eight gentlemen, got along a bit too well.

“With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union”

“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.”


THE ECO-WARRIORS

Without wasting any time, the chairperson, Ian Millar (VP, GBR), started the ball game in order to learn the names. After a naturally unsuccessful first round, the names started to match the faces, and an apple was thrown in to add some extra difficulty. Beata (POL) sadly dropped the apple on the concrete ground because of her warm gloves, a compromise she was willing to make. That apple was later found in Ian’s bag, giving a light apple-scent to the few things he still possesses after losing his luggage in London’s chaotic Heathrow Airport. Now that the names were more or less known, it was time to found out interesting facts about the members of ITRE1. As the committee was split into pairs who went for a walk, Ian continued to perfectly plan the rest of the day’s teambuilding. At the end of this activity, we learned a few startling facts about the delegates. Naomi (GBR) is neighbors with none other than Rod Stuart. John from Greece has a pet crocodile, but for some reason his mother does not want him have snakes. Jaromir (CZE) even claims to have been into outer space and almost made it to Mars. The game also had a rule saying that one of the facts must be false, and it is up to the delegates to figure out which one. This loophole cleared things up a bit. It was then time for a quick

energizer. The chosen activity was Street Fighter. After initially explaining the rules and terms, the game finally started. Apparently not every word was understood correctly, and by the end Enrica (ITA) was shouting “How do you come?!” while Michael (BEL) was answering with “Heineken!”.Now that all the fabulous ITRE1 delegates were bursting with energy, they were made to use that energy in a creative way. Next up was the Monster Game. At first they found it challenging to create a monster. There were some good ideas involving a bench from Ivan (HRV), but on a logistical level it wasn’t the best idea. The committee ended up putting Morgane (FRA), Ilyana (UKR) and Enrica (ITA) on Jaromir (CZE), Ivan (HRV) and Mikhail’s (RUS)

shoulders. They managed to walk a solid 10 meters, all the while singing the Tetris song. It was without a doubt one of the scariest monsters to ever rear its ugly head at an EYP teambuilding session.In order to relate the teambuilding activities to the committee topic, it was ITRE1’s next and final task to create a mechanism that would capture and store carbon dioxide. They went off in the forest to gather eco-friendly materials for their machine. The ended up with a very original idea: a house of the future. After two intense, creative and satisfying days of teambuilding, ITRE1 is now a well oiled machine. They are ready to tackle all the challenging problems of committee work.<<

ITRE I

Damian Iordanov

After the brief country presentations on Saturday morning, the committee on Industry and Research (ITRE) finally emerged into the light of day. Five girls and six boys, from vastly different countries, came together to form ITRE1.


THE AGRI JOURNEY

From the beginning of their time together, this group has been a strikingly strong team. It began in a hut on a cold and foggy April afternoon in the Czech countryside. In the very capable hands of their Chair, Elizabeth (GRE) they began to learn and trust one another through games and strategy challenges. Emre (TUR) definitively stated from the beginning that he is a ‘cat man’, and he makes no excuses for this; Claire (GBR) is an aspiring fencer and ‘Ben the Irishman’ is the sixth fastest boy under the age of nineteen in his country. Interestingly this committee has also learned challenges which have been overcome by some members of their committee. Daniel used to play water polo but due to injury had to change his sport. Ieva faces

challenges in her driving skills as she has already crashed her car four times in the past five months. She escaped unhurt, however this was not the case for her unfortunate car! Some in this committee have risen to the challenges posed to them. Yohann (CHE) has crossed the length of his country on a bicycle. Now that’s some challenge!Street Fighter seemed to be a strong favourite with many of the members of the committee. They competed with pride and strength against other committees. As teambuilding drew to a close the hopes and fears of the committee were revealed. Many agreed that for

them EYP is all about friendship and that this is such an integral part of the EYP experience. To stay positive and avoid the stress which many associate with committee work. Although this committee has already

faced challenges such as learning to effectively listen to one another and prevent reaching a dead end, they have adopted a contingency approach by highlighting methods such as exploring their creative side. As Daniel puts it ‘when I have no exit, I must imagine one. To have a little pressure is not a bad thing’. As outlined by the committee themselves, a good and strong team needs to learn how to achieve a balance between fun and hard work. AGRI have learned the art of compromise; let’s hope that they will now begin to apply this to their committee work and rise to the challenges posed by the Common Agricultural Policy.<<

AGRI‘Don’t worry, be happy.’Agriculture has embarked on a journey. They have set sail from the shores of safety and are currently heading into the unknown. With the enormous task of the reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy ahead of them, to build a successful team was a very necessary task. Did they achieve this? Is the Committee on Agriculture a functional, cohesive and happy team? of them, to build a successful team was a very necessary task. Did they achieve this? Is the Committee on Agriculture a functional, cohesive and happy team? Anna O´Leary


If you want to reach the goal there is a crucial need to pick a good team up. That was exactly what these delegates did. So, the story begins. The agents of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs found themselves somewhere in a place named Borovice located in a middle of the Czech forest. From the start they felt an urge to combine the theoretical knowledge about each other with practical experience. They used the unique technology of name games to create a reliable way of remembering code names. Afrer having remembered all the names, the agents-delegates started to seek an opportunity to figure out each others age. Being active EYP-agents they shared the information with a help of an Order Challenge. It should be mentioned that it worked out successfully.Later came the time for the Numbers Game. The result the agents achieved

turned out to be a vivid example of team cooperation. This taught agents to be ready for challenges at any time and helped prove to themselves that they can overcome any obstacle. One could easily notice how different

individuals, little-by-little, became one team. They were lucky to have friends joining. What was missing was a Spider Web. Delegates came to have a chance of practicing. One by one, working together closely, the agents managed to appear on the other side of the web. Being enthusiastic

and following master-spy Gillian’s (Chair, IRL) instructions, delegates further developed their skills and continued to build a strong team. After two days they have become a real EYP-team, which is able to solve any problem.Everybody has put a lot of effort into this work. Teambuilding is not simply about playing funny games, it is about the ability to motivate strangers to work together in order to achieve a common goal. This experience along with other ones had proven that the committee is not afraid to take responsibility for the outcome. And that is the most important.

The mission is possible. Sorry Tom Cruise. <<

EYP PICTURES PRESENTS:MISSION EMPLOSSIBLE

Kateryna Opanasyuk

Exceptional people came from different corners of Europe for a challenging mission: to change Europe for the better. At first sight it seems to be impossible. Had they even the slightest idea on how were they supposed trust and cooperate with strangers, who do not even speak their languages?

EMPL


The first part of the session is behind us now and the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs has most certainly undergone rapid (economic) growth. Realizing that time is money, the committee quickly got passed the stage of name games, diving straight into activities that made them challenge their minds to the extreme. Serious questions such as “What to expect from EYP?” or “What to expect from the committee?” helped the committee shape their expectations for the days to come even from the very beginning of the weekend.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Ruben Wagenaar

ECON

Teambuilding would not be Teambuilding if it were not for the silly games. Being transformed into Big Fat Ponies, or playing highly entertaining games such as ‘Blip Blap Blop’, the committee sacrificed their dignity, in order to become a close-knit team. When ‘Sheep and Shepherd’ was next on the programme, a highly amusing situation occurred. Both ECON and another committee came up with the same solution to the challenge of the game. Naturally, it caused some (hilarious) confusion – when blindfolded Max (NLD) accidentally started to play the game with the wrong committee…

Rules and ExcusesThat the road to success is an eventful one, was highlighted by games such as ‘Spider Web’. Although the committee excitedly applauded each

time after one of its members managed to get through one of the holes of the web, they did in fact not always stick to the rules. When the game was analyzed afterwards, Niamh (VP, IRE) decided to play devil’s advocate by posing them a series of mind-wrecking questions. “What would you think if I said excuses, excuses,” asked Niamh. The general consensus was that ‘helping each other out’ is the way to go forward, even if that means breaking the rules. “When is it actually ok to break the rules?” An interesting issue was raised, that marked the beginning of a deeper analysis of the team’s dynamics. Back inside (it’s supposed to be warm – it’s April!!), the committee

went on to play the ‘Plane Wreck Game’ followed by yet another activity that proved to be really motivating. A rather shocking story, revolving around Abigale and four other characters who were all involved in violence, adultery and moral questions, was presented to

the committee. The delegates were challenged to make a list ranging from one to five, in which number one would be the character that was the most to blame, and the person that occupied spot number five, the least. Particularly intriguing to see was that among the nine delegates of ECON, there were no two committee members with an identical top-five. Opinions were really different, or even opposite – an excellent opportunity to start a discussion about the reasons behind the choices and the implications that they bring about. The committee realized that forming an opinion about a story like the one they had been discussing, involves lots of factors such as upbringing, perceived norms, values and culture. These differ from country to country and are ultimately responsible >>


for the differences in their opinions.

What’s next?Linking it back to Committee Work that was soon to come, the committee tried to get the most out of their newly gained knowledge and came to a number of conclusions that would help them in future days. The topic that they were about to discuss involves many countries, and therefore many different needs. It was concluded that thinking with emotions is logical, yet disastrous if you want to be able to come up with a pan-European resolution. Indeed, the topic that ECON is now discussing is vast in scope, yet a truly rewarding one. Will they succeed to write a

HERCULEAN TASKS

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but we have promises to keep and hours of work before going to sleep...” (Robert Frost)

Stanislav Korshunov

One beautiful morning, somewhere on a football field, stood a group of a very diverse young people. Trying to overcome oppressive silence they were making attempts to start a conversation, but after two or three phrases they had not talked themselves out. They glanced here and there avoiding each other’s eyes. Thus was the beginning of INTA’s voyage. Carefully chosen name games served their turn. Apart from breaking the tension and helping them get

to know each other better they helped beloved delegates. Under the guidance of respectable chairperson Effie Mantrali (CYP) a group of individuals started to take collective decisions and work as a team. First attempts looked promising and the results of the “Wizards, dwarfs and giants” game against the LIBE committee showed that nothing was impossible for our team. They were competing desperately, persistently and mercilessly. Step by Step, second by second, passing all >>

resolution about a topic of this size? Judging from what they showed during Teambuilding, there is no doubt about it. Managing every game they were faced with in such a relaxed and humorous way, eager to be challenged and develop themselves and the group, it has become evident that ECON is ready for some real

INTA

Financial Fireworks. <<


stages of evolution from amoeba to lions, we were slowly moving towards the building of a really good unit, that would be able not only to solve the teambuilding tasks but also to decide what measures should be taken in order to improve EU – Asia cooperation. The quality of INTA’s cooperation was improving with every finished task. Successful and quick passing of the Swamp persuaded even the most sceptical and envious spectators from other committees that the INTA team worked like one, whole mechanism. They looked pretty tired but nevertheless were ready to do whatever it would take to finish all the teambuilding exercises. One could be impressed by INTA’s creativity while completing the “blind square” task. One of the most difficult tasks that usually calls for heated discussions was solved in a minute, by means of creativity and perfect teamwork. Their ability to find unusual ways of coping with difficulties helped them in designing a huge and horrific monster with eight legs, one tail and one head. When other committees were too tired to do anything, INTA carried on working. The only source of their energy was the “Street Fighter” game,

which appeared to be one of the most energetic moments of teambuilding. Frankly speaking, while watching them trying to climb the tree in order to pass the “spider web” one might even assume that their batteries were overcharged. Not to mention their activity in discussion of Abigail’s story. Their judgements were based on sound logical assumptions and well-formed conclusions. At the end of teambuilding, members of the committee on international trade were going to dinner as a group of old friends. No tasks remained unsolved and not a single person was

left without having a chance to show their worth. With the help of their Chair, a group of totally different people became one huge family, where each member is a small brick in one huge and firm wall that will defend the resolution during the General Assembly. <<

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