EYP LUXEMBOURG NEWSLETTER March 2018
SURVEY ABOUT THE WORK OF THE BOARD OF EYP LU As the board has been working hard on making EYP Luxembourg run like a well-oiled machine, we have also been thinking about how we can improve this process ourselves. A survey was sent out to our alumni, asking for feedback on board presence, EYP events and other improvements that can be made. Having obtained responses from some members, we have taken them into account to improve our work and, maintaining the transparency that we value as the board of EYP LU, we are now sharing the evaluations we received with you. A considerable number of responses emphasized their appreciation for the board’s online presence. The consistent newsletters, updates about the alumni going abroad, announcements of future sessions and public interactions, mainly via our Facebook page, were wellreceived. In regards to improvements the board can make, helpful suggestions included a demand for more updates from the board, as well as more posts on Facebook by every board representative. Alumni could be given more of a floor to communicate both with each other and the board. Concerning alumni events, some members believe more should take place, though visibility of existing events was praised. Taking this feedback into account, ideas to improve current board work and EYP Luxembourg overall include going live with our Facebook page - during pre-session work as well as actual sessions. This could potentially include parts of board meetings where alumni can directly interact with and participate in decision-making and interviews with members coming back from sessions. Tackling the shortage of alumni events, could be an application-writing training for alumni in order to encourage and benefit those having trouble applying to sessions; this idea was supported by around half of the survey’s replies. The board highly appreciates all the beneficial and supportive feedback received via the survey; members are always encouraged to reach out and share their opinion. In the case that you want to add anything to the list above or would like to share an idea about a future alumni event, feel free to contact us through the Facebook page or through messenger.
OUR UPCOMING SESSIONS Luxembourg may be a small country but EYP Luxembourg knows best that, that does not take away from the charm and comfort that Luxembourg has on offer. With our thorough belief that we can branch out to locations other than our lovely capital, we took it upon ourselves to organise this year’s NSC in Esch-sur-Alzette. Esch 2018 will be the second time EYP Luxembourg is committed to put on a National Selection Conference somewhere outside of Luxembourg City, the first time being in Schengen, our 1st National Selection Conference. So, it seemed quite befitting to follow that same principle for our 5th Anniversary. Esch 2018 is all about going back to what the essence of EYP really is. It's about breaking free from our daily routines in order to reflect and take a moment to be in a moment that is encapsulated as this one memory of being surrounded by new faces, new ideas and possibly even a new purpose. With Esch 2018, academically led by Hannes Ahlvin from Sweden, what we hope to show is that there are opportunities to cut ties with a monotonous, routine life, that there is much more to be seen and there are many other people to meet. Human interactions shouldn't be limited to being physically present in someone's life. For Esch 2018, we have motivated and active young people from Sweden, Turkey, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom and so many other countries coming all the way to rejoice in European diplomacy in our capital of the south. Let's show them why we were picked as one of the Capitals of Culture for 2022. So, do yourself a favor, break free from whatever is holding you back as some things are just more important and more valuable than letting yourself be bound by routine or be bound by what is considered "the norm" and join us in Esch!
„ Each participant will be a piece of a puzzle, unique in his or her own right, and all together we will make up to the beautiful picture that will be Luxembourg 2018" – Armine Khamoyan, President of the 1st IF of EYP Luxembourg
OUR UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENT Since we haven’t had an alumni event in a long time, we decided to plan an alumni day for April 2018. Shortly after our National Selection Conference, we will dedicate an entire afternoon to bring together our members. Part of this day will be dedicated to team-building with the aim of getting to know each other. More serious matters are also to be expected: we will hold an extraordinary general assembly that day in order to vote on two new policies. These two new policies will enable us to remain in harmony with existing International policies but also prevent negative influences on our events. These policies will be on Membership in EYP Luxembourg and a
Session Participant Code of Conduct. So far we have defined a member as someone who has participated in an event organised by EYP Luxembourg and either lives or studies in Luxembourg. However, in light of many applications of foreign individuals that want to become members of our NC, we thought it necessary to add a clause to this definition, namely that the NC Board can grant exceptions to the residency requirement if exceptional circumstances can be proven. Furthermore, we are considering to invoke a clause that is already in the existing definition of a member which has been voted through by you at the Council of Members in June 2016, reading: "Every young person living or studying in Luxembourg (...) [who] has paid its annual membership fee is considered a member of the European Youth Parliament Luxembourg a.s.b.l." This would mean that in order to stay a member of EYP Luxembourg, you would need to pay 15€ annually! However, I want to point out that we have not taken any definitive decision on this last point. Concerning the Participant Code of Conduct, we will draw up some basic rules that need to be followed by every participant (both delegates and officials) to our sessions including, among others, clauses about a limitation on alcohol intake and smoking at certain times and a strict no drug policy concerning any other illegal substances. Naturally, we will keep you updated and you will have the opportunity to discuss and vote on these proposals at our next Alumni Day.
EYP LU GOES EUROPEAN YOUTH EVENT The EYE is an initiative for the youth of Europe hosted by the European Parliament to promote active citizenship. Sounds a bit like EYP doesn’t it? Well, in fact, many more EYPers will be attending the event than just Luxembourg. National Committees, such as Cyprus, Spain and many more are taking part in this opportunity. Furthermore, the EYE has similarities to any EYP session in the sense that a media team will report of the event (make sure to follow the EYE’s facebook page, twitter and instagram to see the output). The EYE tries to encourage knowledge exchange and impactful dialogue with European MPs. Pitt Sietzen, a member of EYP LU’s EYE delegation shares this vision in his opinion on the EYE: ‘I am excited to meet youth from all over Europe who are engaged in different ways than I am. It is also interesting to see how the European Parliament makes it possible (for everyone) to explore the institution and is a platform for crucial exchange.’ But, for now, we can’t get too much ahead of ourselves before having even attended the event. The 10 of us (Blanaid O’Hara, Killian Tranchat, Mathieu Lohr, Pitt Sietzen, Felix Reding, Maura Lehmann, Allesandro Orellano, Camille Kohn, Ben Stemper, and myself Leonore Zutter) are looking forward to the event and are excited to share everything we have learnt once we’re back. For now, if you want more information on this initiative, go to: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/european-youth-event/en/take-part!.html And if you, yourself, are interest in taking part in this event, apply here as a volunteer! http://www.europarl.europa.eu/european-youth-event/en/news/volunteers.html Or, wait until next time, and keep your eyes open to call launched by EYP Luxembourg!
EYP LUXEMBOURG A.S.B.L Leonore Zutter Alina Khan Celine Schaus Yannick Mertens Edvin Ceman Noel Lessinger