Salo 2017 - Resolution Booklet

Resolution Booklet Salo 2017 – Regional Session of EYP Finland 17th–19th of November 2017

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

Programme of the General Assembly 08:15 08:30 09:15 10:00 10:30 11:15 12:00 12:45 13:30 14:15 14:45 15:30 16:15

Opening of the General Assembly Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Culture and Education Coffee break Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs II Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs Lunch Break Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs I Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Human Rights Coffee Break Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Transport and Tourism Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs Closing Ceremony

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

Procedure of the General Assembly General rules The wish to speak is indicated by raising the Committee placard. Each committee may use only one Committee placard.

The authority of the Board is absolute.

Procedure and time settings 1. Presenting of the Motion for a Resolution 2. Presenting of the Friendly Amendments 3. Reading out the operative clauses 4. Three minutes to defend the Motion for a Resolution 5. Three minutes to attack the Motion for a Resolution 6. One minute to respond to the Attack Speech 7. General debate 8. Three minutes to sum up the debate 9. Voting procedure 10. Announcing the votes Friendly Amendment A last-minute modification to the Motion for a Resolution by the Proposing Committee. Amendments are to be handed in to the Board at least two Resolutions before the Resolution in question, or as soon as possible for the first Resolutions of the General Assembly.

Point of Personal Privilege Request for a Delegate to repeat a point that was inaudible. Failure to understand the language being spoken does not make for a Point of Personal Privilege.

Direct Response Twice per debate, each Committee may use the Direct Response sign. Should a Delegate raise the sign during the open debate, he/she will immediately be recognised by the Board and given the floor as soon as the point being made is concluded. A Direct Response can only be used to refer to and discuss the point made directly beforehand. If two or more Direct Responses are requested at once, the Board will decide which Committee to recognise. In this case, the second Direct Response shall only be held if it can be referred to the first Direct Response, so on and so forth.

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

Point of Order These can be raised by the Chairperson if a Delegate feels the Board have not properly followed parliamentary procedure. Ultimately, the authority of the Board is absolute.

Defence Speech One member of the Proposing Committee delivers the Defence Speech from the podium. It is used to explain the rationale of the overall lines of the Resolution and convince the Plenary that the Resolution is worthy of being adopted. This speech can last a maximum of three minutes.

Attack Speech An individual Delegate from a Committee other than that proposing the Resolution at hand delivers an Attack Speech from the podium. It reflects an individual opinion and is used to point out the flaws of the approach taken by the Proposing Committee and should propose alternative solutions. This speech can last a maximum of three minutes.

Summation Speech One or two members of the Proposing Committee deliver the Summation Speech from the podium; the microphone can only be passed once. It is used to summarise the debate, respond to main, selected criticism and to once more explain why the chosen approach is the most sensible. This speech can last a maximum of three minutes.

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY THE

C OMMITTEE ON E CONOMIC AND M ONETARY A FFAIRS

The neverending Eurocrisis: After hitting rock bottom, Greece is finally showing signs of recovery that will allow it to exit the Excessive Deficit Procedure. Bearing in mind that the Eurozone still has a long way to reach financial stability, what steps should the EU take to protect the future of its common currency?

Submitted by:

Vasily Balagurov (Turun normaalikoulun lukio), Sandra Haltia (Kerttulin lukio), Helmi Lipiäinen (Halikon lukio), Anastasia Makeeva (Kuopion lyseon lukio), Aki Nurmi (Raision lukio), Eevi Paasivaara (Ressun lukio), Tõnis Pärtel (Luostarivuoren lukio), Katie Eitler (Chairperson, LU), Mikael Mauranen (Chairperson, FI)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Alarmed by the difficulties of Eurozone governments and the European Central Bank (ECB) in effectively supporting Greece in recovering from its fiscal debt crisis, B. Concerned by an imbalance in influence over ECB governance, which favours the centralised bureaucracy of the ECB headquarters over national central bank representatives to the ECB, C. Deeply concerned by the fact that the majority of Eurozone member countries do not meet the criteria of the Excessive Deficit Procedure1, D. Keeping in mind that the deeply interdependent nature of global market trends render it very difficult for monetary-policy institutions and regulators to fully avoid periodical financial volatility and economic downturns, E. Recognising that a lack of transparency when devising and implementing measures to enhance Eurozone stability and recovery from financial crises has aggravated public distrust towards the Eurozone and its governing entities, F. Noting with regret the increasing discontent towards EU economic institutions in public opinion, G. Anxious at the lack of understanding among EU citizens concerning the functioning, mandate, and the aims of the ECB;

1

Source: European Commission Convergence Report 2016

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

Governance and stability 1. Encourages the ECB to invite more representatives of the national central banks of Eurozone countries to participate in discussions concerning policy in order to promote institutional balance; 2. Supports the ESM in its mission to provide a clear regulatory framework and criteria for investment and funding in credit loans; 3. Further encourages the European Investment Bank (EIB) to invest in struggling Member States’ economies, even if they have relatively high GDP-to-debt ratios, as a means to further the region’s economy in the long term; Transparency and credibility 4. Recommends that EU bodies strive to enhance their credibility as financial regulators to reduce insecurity over the stability of the Eurozone and the common currency; 5. Invites representatives of the ECB and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) to participate in regular fora organised by the European Parliament to discuss, analyse, and solve the difficulties deriving from the debt crisis and its consequences, and thereby to enhance inclusion of EU public debate in the ECB governance process; 6. Proposes regular press conferences targeted at the general publics in order to enhance transparency and accessibility of European monetary institutions; 7. Suggests that Member States support the creation of further platforms for education in EU and Eurozone economic policy.

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

FACT SHEET European Central Bank (ECB): The central bank for the Eurozone. The ECB is responsible for implementing the Eurozone’s monetary policy. The main objective of the ECB is to maintain price stability, which is defined by them as keeping inflation at 2% or lower. The current President of the ECB is Mario Draghi.

Eurozone: A group of EU Member States that are part of the European Monetary Union – an area sharing a common currency, governed by a common central bank. There are currently 19 Eurozone members: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.

European Stability Mechanism (ESM): An intergovernmental organisation established in 2012 to provide financial assistance, mainly in the form of loans, for Eurozone countries with struggling economies. The maximum lending capacity of the ESM is €500bn. The ESM receives its funding from investors by selling stocks and bonds and does not work with money received in taxes.

Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP): The EDP was established by the European Commission to assure the stability of European national economies. The procedure entails two criteria: The budget deficit cannot exceed 3% of the national gross domestic product (GDP), and the public debt may not exceed 60% of GDP. European Investment Bank (EIB): EU-established investment bank with the Member States as its key stakeholders. It was created with the mission of furthering European integration through investment loans and other financial.

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY THE

C OMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION

Linguistic diversity as a resource: With at least 130 languages across Europe at risk of extinction, what measures should the EU take in order to protect the multilingual heritage in Member States?

Submitted by:

Vilja Huttunen (Karjaan lukio), Mette Hämeenaho (Turun normaalikoulun lukio), Fanny Kokki (Kokemäen lukio), Sofia Laskorski (Turun normaalikoulun lukio), Vanamo Lindroos (Kaarinan lukio), Cameron Merelle (Kannaksen lukio), Aida Nikunlassi (Salon lukio), Tikhon Starodumov (Luostarivuoren lukio), Anni Taitto (Kuopion lyseon lukio), Elena Vela (ES), Veera Walls (Salon lukio), Alfred Wingate (Salon lukio), Ella-Kaisa Luoma (Chairperson, FI), Anna Venchiarutti (Chairperson, IT)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Deeply alarmed that 139 languages in Europe have already become extinct1, with 130 more being critically endangered, B. Aware of the lack of public knowledge among Member States concerning the existence of minority languages, C. Supporting the Erasmus+ programme2, which provides an important contribution towards the preservation of minority languages, D. Noting with concern the rapid decrease in the use of minority languages in Europe due to the widespread use of English, German, Russian and French in education and workplaces, E. Bearing in mind the European Parliament’s commitment to language diversity as a fundamental expression of identity, culture, and history for European citizens; Labour and social politics

1. Asks Member States’ Ministers for Workers’ Affairs to express appreciation to enterprises offering services in minority languages by creating national recognition awards;

“The 24 most endangered languages in Europe”, The Telegraph, November 21, 2014.

The Erasmus+ is a programme set by the European Commission with the aim of promoting collaboration and exchange between different cultures, creating professional and educational chances across the European Union for EU citizens.

1 2

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

2. Calls upon The Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity3 and national institutions to collaborate on a media campaign promoting and raising awareness of minority languages; 3. Encourages the European Commission to continue funding programmes preserving minority languages, such as Erasmus+; 4. Recommends that the European Centre for Modern Languages4 cooperates with local governments in order to preserve the history and culture of minority languages through museums, landmarks, and exhibitions.

5. Requests the school boards of each Member State to amend national curricula allowing for students to be educated in their own minority languages; 6. Asks EU Education Programmes to further provide funding for linguists to record and document the alphabet, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar of minority languages.

The Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity is a language policy initiative active across Europe. Its main goal is to raise awareness about the importance of linguistic diversity and to facilitate the interchange in supportive measures among governments, EU institutions and international organisations.

4 ECML is a body of the Council of Europe based in Graz, Austria. It is a foundation promoting excellence and innovation in language teaching across Europe.

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Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY THE

C OMMITTEE ON C IVIL L IBERTIES , J USTICE AND H OME A FFAIRS II

Consequences of the refugee crisis: Taking into account the current systems for relocation of refugees arriving into the EU, loudly contested by Member States as faulty and ineffective, what changes should the EU implement to create functioning policies that share the burden fairly among Member States whilst also respecting the rights of refugees?

Submitted by:

Rebecca Bergholm (Ekenäs gymnasium), Nella-Kaneli Hautala (Turun klassillinen lukio), Jose Maria Juaristi (ES), Karoliina Kondylis (Kannaksen lukio), Nella Lehto (Luostarivuoren lukio), Anni Lähteenmäki (Kokemäen lukio), Emma Paavola (Utajärven lukio), Tiitu Peltola (Turun normaalikoulun lukio), Optatus Pirkkanen (Kuopion lyseon lukio), Aino Rasmus (Jyväskylän lyseon lukio), Maira Santalahti (Paraisten lukio), Ellen Vainio (Salon lukio), Giorgi Beroshvili (Chairperson, GE)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Deeply concerned by the fact that EU-level agreements on the sharing of burden from immigration flows, and on the refugee relocation system, are not being followed by all the Member States, B. Disappointed that certain Member States are resisting current migration policies for their own benefit, C. Realising that several Member States lack the tools needed to sufficiently control the influx of refugees, D. Alarmed that refugees are often unable to exit their states of entry due to border controls of neighbouring countries, E. Deeply concerned that migrants face language barriers, cultural differences, and discrimination in Member States, F. Noting with deep concern that the dissatisfaction with current EU immigration policies has led to a rise in the support of radical movements, G. Fully aware that a lack of resources and economic capacity lead to an insufficient response by Member States to the immigration issue,

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

H. Noting with regret that the Dublin III Regulation1 exposes the already struggling frontline states to even more pressure, I.

Fully alarmed by the amount of time the processing of refugee applications requires;

United efforts from by all Member States 1. Calls upon the European Commission to negotiate a united stance on the Emergency Relocation Scheme between all Member States2; 2. Recommends fines to be imposed on Member States that are not collaborating in the Emergency Relocation Scheme; 3. Urges the Member States capable of providing aid to share resources and humanitarian support with states under disproportionate pressure from mass immigration; 4. Urges every Member State to carry out further migrant integration programmes including language lessons, financial support, and offering temporary jobs; Efficiency of EU institutions and measures 5. Encourages an increase in the funding of the European Asylum Support Office3 and FRONTEX4, both of which can work to support the states receiving the largest influx of refugees; 6. Urges Member States to cooperate with FRONTEX and EURODAC5 in order to improve existing databases of personal information and fingerprints, thereby hastening the application process; 7. Calls upon the European Commission to accelerate the implementation of the Dublin IV Regulation6, which is a part of the Common European Asylum System.

This instrument of EU law, also extending to certain other European states, determines that asylum seekers must be registered for asylum application in the first European country they enter and that this country carries responsibility for examining these applications.

2 The Emergency Relocation Scheme was intended as a burden-sharing mechanism to support Italy and Greece, suffering a large influx of refugees from the Middle East.

3 European Asylum Support Office provides temporary support to Member States with significant refugee influx by offering consultation on asylum policies with particular reference to the prevailing circumstances within the Member State in question.

4 The main tasks of FRONTEX are strengthening the external borders of the EU in cooperation with national Border Guards, and to facilitate and strengthen the application of existing and future Union measures in management of the external borders.

5 European Union Fingerprint Database.

6 Dublin IV Regulation aims to reform the Dublin System and make it more transparent while enhancing its effectiveness.

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Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY THE

C OMMITTEE ON C ONSTITUTIONAL A FFAIRS

The future of EU-UK relations: After the start of the Brexit negotiations in June 2017, what measures and legal frameworks should be put in place to minimise the impact of the UK’s exit from the Union and how should the EU ensure a favourable outcome in the negotiations?

Submitted by:

Nea Alopaeus (Mynämäen lukio), Helena Kellomäki (Virtain lukio), Carl Lagerstam (Luostarivuoren lukio), Inkeri Lipasti (Turun normaalikoulun lukio), Nikolas Serentill (ES), Kira Tuominen (Kuopion lyseon lukio), Vilma Vaarapuro (Salon lukio), Kārlis Logins (Chairperson, LV), Saskia Marks (Chairperson, BE)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Recalling that the referendum on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU resulted in a vote in favour by 51.9%1, B. Emphasising that Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) provides a two-year timeframe for the completion of the negotiations, C. Recognising the negotiation guidelines set out by the European Council and the negotiation directives presented by the Council of the European Union, D. Affirming the importance of the Irish border in maintaining peace, as achieved by the Good Friday Agreement, E. Deeply regretting the uncertain future of the rights of EU citizens living in the UK, as with those of UK citizens living in other Member States, F. Keeping in mind that the ongoing negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal require increased clarity from the UK regarding its aims for future immigration arrangements, G. Concerned by the reluctance of the UK to finalise a financial settlement covering the current obligations of the UK as a Member State, H. Asserting that a financial settlement providing the UK with concessions from its obligations would threaten the cohesion of the Union, I.

Welcoming the interest shown by the UK towards continued collaboration with the EU in security and intelligence-sharing,

J. Alarmed by the decrease in the collective military arsenal of the EU following the upcoming withdrawal of the UK from the Union,

1

EU referendum results, Electoral Commission, 23 June 2016

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

K. Noting with satisfaction that the UK will continue to contribute to European defence within the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), L. Taking into account that a Hard Brexit would result in: i)

increased prices in consumer goods, due to the levying of import/export tariffs2,

ii)

increased labour costs in UK industries being heavily reliant on an immigrant workforce,

M. Believing that access to the Single Market implies acceptance of the four freedoms; Free movement 1. Urges the European Commission, the Republic of Ireland, and the UK to preserve the open and invisible land border between the Republic of Ireland and the UK; 2. Requests that UK outlines the main features of their immigration policy ahead of the negotiations on the future EU-UK relationship; Financial and security arrangements 3. Invites the UK to present a detailed proposal of a comprehensive financial settlement releasing them from further obligations to contribute to the EU budget; 4. Asks the UK to further develop the exchange of intelligence with the EU; 5. Instructs Member States to set out measures on further EU military integration; EU-UK trade relations 6. Expresses its hope that the UK is in favour of a Soft Brexit in the form of continued membership of the Single Market; 7. Urges the European Commission to minimise the economic impact of a potential Hard Brexit by seeking to negotiate a comprehensive, bilateral free trade agreement with the UK, to enter into force on 29 March 2019; 8. Calls upon the European Commission and the UK to prepare the implementation of an interstate arbitration mechanism, to settle on a case-by-case basis any disputes arising from an EU-UK free trade agreement.

2

The Economic Effect of Tariffs, ThoughtCo., 18 February 2016

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

FACT SHEET Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union The Treaty on the European Union is one of the two main treaties describing the legislative framework of the European Union. Article 50 TEU outlines the procedure to be followed when a Member State wishes to withdraw its membership of the European Union.

Good Friday Agreement The Good Friday Agreement is a peace agreement. It creates a power-sharing assembly to govern Northern Ireland by cross-community consent. The Good Friday Agreement brought an end to 30 years of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) NATO’s purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members by political and military means. It is a transnational organisation that coordinates military efforts and unites the national militaries of 29 countries.

Hard Brexit Following the terms of a Hard Brexit, UK would no longer be incorporated in the Single Market and Customs Union. If no other, bilateral agreement is found, future trade between the UK with the EU would take place in compliance with WTO guidelines, resulting in extensive trade tariffs.

Soft Brexit The main conception of a Soft Brexit designates that the UK retain its membership in the Customs Union, in the Single Market, or in both. Any deals that follow one of these forms would be considered a soft approach, as all existing rules would remain in place, along with the European Court of Justice (ECJ) jurisdiction over all Single Market legislation.

Four freedoms The four freedoms are the free movement of goods, capital, services and people, and are among the founding principles of the EU. These four freedoms need to be applied by any state to gain access to the Single Market.

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY THE

C OMMITTEE ON C IVIL L IBERTIES , J USTICE AND H OME A FFAIRS I

Cross-border working endangered: With various Member States reinstating border controls and suspending the Schengen Agreement due to the on-going refugee crisis, what steps should the EU take to secure the free movement of workers and a fully functioning internal market?

Submitted by:

Siiri Holappa (Utajärven lukio), Leevi Hyvärinen (Kuopion lyseon lukio), Tuukka Into (Turun normaalikoulun lukio), Sandra Kallio (Virtain lukio), Jasper Kurjenniemi (Suomen Liikemiesten Kauppaopisto), Seppo Laitinen (Salon lukio), Olivia Landén (Ekenäs gymnasium), Maija Maunu (FI), Meri Mentula (Turun normaalikoulun lukio), Tinka Särkiniemi (Salon lukio), Karoliina Tuomainen (Kuopion lyseon lukio), Noel Lessinger (Chairperson, LU), Julia Michalczyk (Chairperson, PL)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Aware of the current unstable condition of the Schengen Agreement1 due to Member States reintroducing temporary border controls, B. Alarmed that some Member States want to retain strong border controls and therefore risk the future and functioning of the Schengen Agreement, C. Recognising the need for coherent legislation on internal2 and external border controls, D. Further recognising that current legislation on migration and civil security within the EU is disparate and thus inefficient in dealing with sudden shocks such as increasing migrant flows, E. Concerned that the reintroduction of border controls within the Schengen Area could prolong commuting times for people traveling across an internal border from their place of residence, F. Bearing in mind the negative impact internal border controls could have on the smooth functioning of the European Single Market, G. Observing the unequal economic conditions that inhibit some Member States from managing to fully control their borders,

The Schengen Agreement establishes the Schengen Area - an area within which unhindered freedom of movement of people is guaranteed. This means that there are no checks at internal borders, one harmonised set of rules for crossing the external border, one visa system, and improved police and judicial cooperation.

2 Internal borders are the borders between countries within the Schengen Area; external border are the borders between countries of the Schengen Area and non-Schengen countries.

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Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

H. Noting with deep concern that recent terrorist attacks in Europe have created an atmosphere of insecurity within Member States; Internal borders 1. Calls upon the European Commission to propose legislation lowering administrative hurdles for cross-border commuting workers, such as special identity cards, in order to grant commuters the smooth crossing of internal borders in the event that border controls are implemented in their countries; 2. Recommends that the European Commission proposes legislation to ensure free mobility of commuters in case of a state of emergency; 3. Emphasising that a Union-wide policy for external border controls must be set in order to avoid that internal border controls continue to be implemented by Member States as a measure against unsustainable migrant flows; 4. Suggests the Council of the European Union sets a budget to help secure the external borders of the Schengen Area; 5. Urges the European Commission to support external-border protection by increasing the working capacity of Frontex3; 6. Reaffirms the importance of the use of databases such as EURODAC4 or the Schengen Information System (SIS)5 when performing background checks at external borders; 7. Encourages the improvement of the SIS in order to improve border surveillance and lawenforcement, with the aim of reducing the risk of possible terror attacks.

3 Frontex is the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which aims at promoting, coordinating, and developing European border management.

4 EURODAC is an EU asylum fingerprint database making it smoother for Member States to examine asylum applications by comparing fingerprint datasets.

5 The Schengen Information System (SIS) is a database system that coordinates external border controls, law enforcement, and the sharing of registered data between members of the Schengen Area.

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY THE

C OMMITTEE ON H UMAN R IGHTS

Marriage for everyone: Following the recognition of same-sex unions in Finland, Germany and Malta in 2017, how should the EU protect the rights of sexual minorities in its Member States?

Submitted by:

Katri Amper (Työväen Akatemia), Laura Barry (Salon lukio), Joel Hakala (Kuopion lyseon lukio), Elli Hanhivaara (Paraisten lukio), Emmi Häkkinen (Mikkelin lukio), Laura Hänninen (Jyväskylän lyseon lukio), Rosanne Rehn (Ekenäs gymnasium), Salla Rounamaa (Salon lukio), Adeliina Silvola (Uudenkaupungin lukio), Susanne Siuro (Kokemäen lukio), Elena Tissari (Turun normaalikoulun lukio), İpek Can (Chairperson, TR), Suzanne van Spijker (NL, Chairperson)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Deeply concerned by the lack of public understanding regarding the diversity of sexuality in the EU, B. Regretting that certain politicians use their platform to spread hate speech about the LGBTIQ+ community, C. Alarmed by hate speech and discrimination towards the LGBTIQ+ community in many Member States, resulting in: i)

harassment towards transgender citizens when accessing gender segregated restrooms,

ii)

prevalence of bullying in educational institutions,

D. Deeply disturbed that out of 28 Member States, only Malta has criminalised conversion therapy, E. Further noting that legal documents, such as passports and birth certificates, often lack a third gender option, F. Noting with deep concern that adoption legislation varies between Member States, thus denying same-sex couples equal adoption opportunities, G. Disappointed by the lack of LGBTIQ+ inclusive education concerning sexual orientation and the gender-identity spectrum, especially in sexual education, H. Fully aware of the lack of acceptance for LGBTIQ+ children by their authority figures, such as their parents and teachers, I.

Noting with regret that children often imitate intolerant and discriminatory behaviour towards LGBTIQ+ people,

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

J. Observing the lack of non-stereotypical representation of the LGBTIQ+ community in the media; Implementation 1. Reminds Member States to alter the legislative definition of hate speech in accordance with the definition provided by the European Court of Human Rights; 2. Proposes gender-neutral bathrooms to be installed in EU institutional buildings, providing a leading example for other institutions; 3. Requests Member States to ban and criminalise conversion therapy; 4. Invites Member States to add a third gender option in legal documents, following the example of Germany; 5. Encourages Member States to legalise adoption for same-sex couples in their national adoption laws; Education 6. Strongly encourages Member States to add LGBTIQ+ inclusive sex education onto their national education curricula; 7. Urges the European Commission to fund non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as Amnesty International and Seta ry, to co-operate with schools in organising and offering LGBTIQ+ workshops to students regarding sexual orientation and the gender-identity spectrum; 8. Suggests organising seminars for teachers through the Erasmus+ platform, in order to: a)

raise awareness about the struggles that LGBTIQ+ students face at school;

b)

spread understanding about reactions to and proper teacher support in such situations;

c)

advise in how to teach with inclusiveness and acceptance, and to support the normalisation of societal perceptions regarding the LGBTIQ+ community;

9. Calls upon the European Commission to fund NGOs in order to produce media campaigns representing the LGBTIQ+ community in a positive and non-stereotypical way.

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

FACT SHEET

LGBTIQ+: The abbreviation LGBTIQ+ refers to the group of people who are sexual minorities or genderqueer. The abbreviation stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and other, such as asexual, sexual orientations.

Conversion therapy: Conversion therapy is the act of trying to change sexuality through a variety of methods. This can include behavioural and cognitive therapies, but also more cruel methods such as shock therapy. These therapies often leave patients with psychological trauma. It has not been scientifically proven that sexuality can be changed through conversion therapy.

Adoption: Joint adoption for same-sex couples is legal in 14 out of 28 Member States. Step parent adoption, where a person adopts the biological or the adoptive child of their same-sex partner, is legal in 18 out of 28 Member States. The remaining Member States do not have any legislation allowing same sex couples to adopt children.

Definition of Hate Speech according to the European Court on Human Rights: “All forms of expression which spread, incite, promote or justify hatred based on intolerance”.

Erasmus+: Erasmus+ is an EU programme created to support education, training, youth, and sport in Europe. It provides opportunities for over four million Europeans to study, train, gain experience, and volunteer abroad. Set to last until 2020, Erasmus+ does not merely provide opportunities for students, but also for a wider variety of individuals and organisations.

Amnesty International: Amnesty International is a non-governmental organisation that focuses on human rights. They have an estimated 7 million supporters and members around the whole world.

Seta ry: Seta is a Finnish national human rights organisation. Seta promotes efforts to achieve a society of equality and individual welfare that includes everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY THE

C OMMITTEE ON T RANSPORT AND T OURISM

Changes in the air: A proposal for a common Aviation Strategy was initiated in 2015 to generate growth for the aviation industry and to tackle growing CO2 emissions. How can the EU smoothly implement proposed legislation that would prioritise the upkeep of environmental standards and affordable air travel, without compromising the global competitiveness of European airlines?

Submitted by:

Taneli Heiskanen (Kuopion lyseon lukio), Ahmad Hosseini (Turun ammatti-instituutti), Leevi Ketonen (Raision lukio), Franseska Kärkkäinen (Salon lukio), Daniel Lopez Mängel (Luostarivuoren lukio), Taina Lötjönen (Paraisten lukio), Heidi Pullinen (Salon lukio), Veera Tuominen (Kerttulin lukio), Henry Ward-Raatikainen (Turun normaalikoulun lukio), Tom Suelmann (Chairperson, NL), Zeynep Begüm Ulufi (Chairperson, TR)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Aware of the fact that the aviation industry is not environmentally sustainable in its current form, B. Noting with regret the unpopularity of nighttime flights, leading to overcapacity in daytime aviation, C. Alarmed by the correlation between high levels of noise pollution, and mental and physical health, D. Recognising past experiences from the use of supersonic jets, with the emphasis on unfavourable consequences such as: i)

noise pollution,

ii)

excessive fuel usage,

E. Emphasising the high costs arising from, and the subsequent lack of technological innovation in ecological air travel, F. Having considered the usage of electrically-powered airplanes to be highly inhibited by:

i)

lack in research and development,

ii)

limited technological capacity to replace current commercial fleets in aviation on an industrial scale,

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

G. Noting with deep concern the direct environmental impact of air travel as a result of the utilisation of fossil fuels, with 4% of total man-made emissions being caused by the aviation industry, H. Disheartened by the lack of consumer knowledge regarding the Regulation (EC) 261/2004 on Air Passenger Rights, I.

Alarmed by the increasing security risk caused by the use of civilian drones in the proximity of airports,

J. Concerned by the lack of competition between: i)

airlines at certain airports, providing the airline with a substantial negotiation leverage to minimise tariffs,

ii)

airports on a more general basis;

Environment 1. Encourages airlines to increase the efficiency of flights and to reduce their carbon footprint per passenger by making nighttime flights more appealing via subsidies in the form air miles bonuses; 2. Endorses Member States to support non-urban airports by implementing and developing transportation infrastructure to and from the city centre, as favouring non-urban airports reduces urban noise pollution and improves air quality1; 3. Designates Member States to support and fund research into: a)

the effectiveness and cost reduction of biofuels;

b)

hybrid and electrically-powered aeroplanes;

Competitiveness 4. Requests that the European Commission initiates a media campaign informing consumers about the Regulation (EC) 261/2004 on Air Passenger Rights, 5. Supports Member States in subsidising low-capacity airports in order to increase competitiveness and to avoid an industry monopoly by larger airports; 6. Calls upon the European Commission to initiate a directive compelling Member States to secure air spaces near airports from the usage of civilian drones; 7. Requests the European Commission to further implement the Common European Aviation Strategy within the EU, which consists of: a)

an 430 million EUR investment each year, until 2020, in the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management (ATM) Research project;

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For instance, London Stansted Airport, which is not within the city limits of London.

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

b)

the deployment of SESAR Solutions, potentially supporting the creation of over 300,000 new jobs.

FACT SHEET Civilian drone is a propellor-powered unit meant for recreational use.

Supersonic jet is a jet that flies faster than the speed of sound.

Ecological flights are flights that (partially) use biofuel.

Common European Aviation Strategy aims to improve the economy of the EU by strengthening its industrial base and reinforcing its global leadership position in the area of aviation, whilst also addressing environmental issues.

Regulation (EC) 261/2004 on Air Passenger Rights of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union establishes common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights.

Biofuels are fuels that are made out of non-fossil, energy-carrying organic materials (biomass), including manure (animal waste) and plant material. Important characteristics of biofuels include that they do not freeze, that they are of high quality, that they have a low risk of explosion, and that they are low in contaminants.

Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research is the mechanism that coordinates and concentrates all EU research and development activities in ATM, pooling together experts in the field to develop a new generation of ATM.

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

M OTION FOR A R ESOLUTION BY THE

C OMMITTEE ON E MPLOYMENT AND S OCIAL A FFAIRS

Revolutionary tool for social benefits: In 2017, Finland started a trial to provide basic income as a source of social benefits for the unemployed, with the Netherlands also among those showing interest in the concept. What stance should the EU take in the introduction of the basic income within its Member States?

Submitted by:

Riialiina Fagerström (Turun normaalikoulun lukio), Marian Fontanilla (Turun normaalikoulun lukio), Aletta Kemppainen (Luostarivuoren lukio), Joonas Linna (Salon lukio), Stella Miettinen (Turun normaalikoulun lukio), Inkeri Oja (Salon lukio), Johannes Pusa (Tammerkosken lukio), Iakov Skoblov (Kuopion lyseon lukio), Emilia Taimen (Karkkilan lukio), Raakel Tervonen (Tampereen yhteiskoulun lukio), Niklas Vaulanen (Kerttulin lukio), Jake Virtanen (Salon lukio), Maria Hirvelä (Chairperson, FI), Vojtěch Sůva (Chairperson, CZ)

The European Youth Parliament, A. Deeply concerned with the possibility that 30% to 60% of current professions will become fully automated by 20801 due to technological advancements, B. Taking into consideration the uneven distribution of wealth, with 10% of households holding 50% of the world’s total wealth, and with the bottom 40% owning as little as 3%2, C. Observing the different competences of the Member States and EU bodies in financing and implementing the universal basic income (UBI), emphasising in particular that the Member States have the exclusive competence to enforce any UBI schemes, D. Bearing in mind the difference between current social welfare programmes within Member States, as a result of differing: i)

cultures,

ii)

social welfare,

iii) economic situations,

McKinsey & Company, “Harnessing automation for a future that works”, https://www.mckinsey.com/global-themes/digitaldisruption/harnessing-automation-for-a-future-that-works, accessed on November 18, 2017.

2 Oxfam (2017), “An Economy for the 99%: It’s time to build a human economy that benefits everyone, not just the privileged few”, https://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/an-economy-for-the-99-its-time-to-build-a-human-economy-thatbenefits-everyone-620170, accessed on November 18, 2017.

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Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

E. Taking into consideration the possibility of individuals deciding to live solely on the UBI rather than seeking employment, F. Deeply concerned by the poverty traps3 generated by current social benefit systems within the EU, potentially discouraging people from seeking a job, G. Noting with approval that, based on a survey collected in 2017, 68% of the European public would vote in favour of a basic income being implemented4, H. Alarmed by the fact that UBI trials, such as the Finnish Basic Income Experiment5 in 2017-2018 consisting of 2,000 randomly selected individuals, have only been conducted on a small scale, and have produced inconclusive results; General benefits of the UBI 1. Appreciates the ongoing UBI trails and implementations worldwide, resulting in increased equality of opportunities and freedom of choice for all EU citizens; 2. Welcomes Member States to implement the UBI in the future, motivated by the expected increase in vocational and educational freedom resulting from its implementation; National UBI trials 3. Encourages Member States to further enforce national UBI trials; 4. Further encourages Member States to design UBI trials on the basis of the Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend6; 5. Recommends Member States carry out polls in order to determine public opinion and increasing public knowledge on the UBI; 6. Suggests Member States regulate the value of the basic income for each citizen according to basic living costs in each country; Future implementation 7. Invites Member States to create a common database for sharing the results of national UBI trials with the aim of: a)

better distributing information regarding the UBI,

3 Poverty trap: Level of social security that provides an income equal to or higher than income from employment, thus potentially discouraging people from seeking a job.

4 Dalia research, “The EU’s Groving Support For Basic Income”, basicincome.org, http://basicincome.org/wpcontent/uploads/2017/05/DR-2017-survey.pdf, accessed on November 18, 2017.

5 Kela, “Basic income experiment 2017-2018”, kela.fi, http://www.kela.fi/web/en/basic-income-experiment-2017-2018, accessed on November 18, 2017.

6 Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend: dividend from the State's revenue paid to every Alaskan citizen.

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

b)

gathering more reliable data to guide the implementation of the UBI within countries’ national benefits schemes;

8. Calls upon the European Commission to offer financial subsidies to Member States implementing UBI trials; 9. Requests the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs, and Inclusion (DG EMPL) of the European Commission to create a primary-model framework for the UBI with the cooperation of Member States; 10. Further invites Member States to work on the implementation of the UBI as their primary form of social benefits provision in the long term.

Salo 2017 – Regional Session of European Youth Parliament Finland General Assembly, 19 November 2017

Partners of Salo 2017 – Regional Session of EYP Finland

Waldemar Von Frenckells Stiftelse