Åland 2022 - Vision Booklet for Officials

VISION BOOKLET CALL FOR OFFICIALS

Åland 2022 - 28th National Session of EYP Finland

THE SESSION Host city: Mariehamn, Åland Session dates: 2.–7.8.2022 (2.8. being the CMOJ day held in Turku)

ÅLAND The Åland Islands (Åland in Swedish and Ahvenanmaa in Finnish) are a number of smaller islands located between the coast of Finland and Sweden.

Although Åland belongs to Finland, its mainland is actually closer in proximity to Sweden. Åland was granted autonomy and declared a demilitarised zone by the League of Nations in 1920. In addition to allowing the citizens of Åland to primarily govern themselves, with little intervention from the Finnish government, Åland also has its own post stamps and anthem. Åland only has one official language, Swedish, as opposed to the Finnish mainland where both Swedish and Finnish are official languages.

This year Åland will celebrate its 100th anniversary between July 9th and 12th.

The Åland Islands are a largely unexplored region for EYP Finland, which is why Åland 2022 will be the first ever Session to be held on the island. Due to the remote nature of the island, recruiting and establishing a members base on the island is challenging. Åland 2022 - 28th National Session of EYP Finland will allow youth from Åland to more easily take part in the event and engage in the organisation.

THE THEME

“

Islands of Peace: Fostering intergovernmental cooperation and maritime sustainability in the Baltic Sea Region

The theme of the session revolves around the Baltic Sea, the unique region around it as well as the cooperation between different states and different actors.

The Baltic Sea is the most polluted sea in the world. In addition to an abundance of waste, other key problems include drug and hormone residue as well as blue green algae. In order to tackle these problems the countries in the region have to work together to reach a common solution. Furthermore, the Baltic region has a huge potential for growth, development, and innovation in other areas which can be enhanced by cross-border cooperation.

AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SESSION As the Session theme will highlight the Baltic Sea, one of the most polluted seas in the world, we want to consider our environmental footprint when organising the Session. In order to limit our carbon footprint as much as possible we encourage participants to refrain from any kind of printing and use of paper. To implement this we would wish that the Academic Team would consider executing Committee Work entirely through online tools such as Flinga and Miro.

Other measures planned to be taken to limit our carbon footprint during the Session is to only serve vegetarian food, recycle, as well as limit the usage of disposable containers and cups as much as possible.

A UNIFIED OFFICIALS TEAM During EYP Sessions, conflicts between different Officials Teams easily occur, leading to a tense atmosphere in the whole Session. At Åland 2022 we want to focus on integrating all Officials with each other which we hope will lead to less conflicts, a deeper understanding of each other’s unique needs, and a truly unified Officials Team where Officials of all roles will bond. The Officials Team will aim to conduct most of their team modules online pre-session. This will allow us to organise inter team modules and integration activities during the CMOJ day.

PRESIDENT’S VISION

William Eddershaw (IE) President

“

“Building and enjoying the common and public good”

Here we can think of the cultural, ecological, and social benefits of a cleaner Baltic Sea Region that all residents can enjoy without fear of destruction.

These benefits extend more globally when we think of the impact of climate change on indigenous comFrom a chairs team’s perspective, there are a lot of munities, in archipelagos like Åland, whose lives important ideas here for the delegates to engage and actual land are at risk of disappearing. with at the session. Sustainability in the Baltic Sea and the need for fostering intergovernmental co- Again, I think these principles of the session theme operation are very clear issues that relate to the extend to the special designation that Åland has “tragedy of the commons”, a natural resource that as a demilitarized zone, along with the Peace Inappears plentiful to each individual, but with time stitute being based there. Again we can conceive of and improper management is depleted and perma- peace among states as both a common and public nently damaged. I can think of a no more appropri- good. The former, more cynical definition of peace, ate real life example than the case of the Baltic Sea is present today in Europe and other parts of the and the challenges it imposes. Equally, while we world where actors seek to gain competitive advancan look at the environmental stewardship of areas tages over its neighbour as well as to frustrate and as common goods that need coordination, com- weaken them in the process without fear of retalipromise, and good governance to preserve what is ation, as the other seeks to preserve some level of there, one can also see them as public goods to use stability. Sadly, with the ongoing humanitarian criand abuse, as seen with levels of pollution twinned sis as a direct result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with heavy industry, but public goods that provide we see this peace as all but permanent. without needing exploitation, as part of the natural system that we co-exist in.

So right from the outset, this vision stems from the session’s theme “Islands of Peace: Fostering intergovernmental cooperation and maritime sustainability in the Baltic Sea Region”.

Here again, we can see this in action not just between defence forces but also in the international economy with ongoing vaccine nationalism with Covid-19, as well as how refugees are treated differently in one state compared to another, based on their nationality. Each of these issues can be addressed with the motivation of better governance and cooperation amongst states, and societies with differing interests that need to be maintained over time.

The more optimistic interpretation of peace is as a public good, where the benefits of this state of

nature are unlimited and accessible to all. Here people are free from fear and enjoy a security that enables more connected states, societies, communities. Again with the examples listed above, this understanding applies, where all states are less fearful of these global challenges and are similarly closer to one another than they were before. Both these outlooks of peace are something to strive for as they offer everyone a safer and better outcome, yet achieving peace as a public good ensures that it is better protected for future generations.

VISION FOR THE BOARD I want us to work at an even level with one another, where we all have significant input as to how we make decisions. Here is where you would be a real help for me by analysing and discussing how we are functioning as a board and chairs’ team as well as the direction we are heading in, delivering the session vision. In my mind, session boards benefit most from this environment where there is this dialogue and it equally benefits each individual members’ growth and enjoyment over the course of the event.

My goals for the board’s output prior to the session is to provide the chairs’ team with ample opportunities to prepare themselves for this event so that they can arrive confident, with a sense of purpose, and feeling supported. To me the three areas of work the board should pursue to offer this chance to the chairs’ team are Online Trainings, Personal Development Work, and Social Activities both amongst the chairs and the wider officials’ team. To be clear, these areas of work for us are open to your interpretation since the projects and methods you are most interested in will be the most As a board member, I also would like you to think successful. Likewise, if you feel I am missing an area and act as a session leader, with a wider perspec- of work which would further prepare the team to tive for this session and how our decisions impact come and enjoy Åland, I am all ears! both the officials’ team and delegates, as well as the chairs. In addition to this, I want you as a board member to have your own projects, responsibilities, and goals which you take the lead for the entire team. Here, my role is to support and assist you all along the way, as you see fit.

VISION FOR THE CHAIR’S TEAM Here I would like to stress that I and the NC would greatly welcome applications from those who have mostly had digital experience, looking to get back into fully in-person sessions.

Much like the board, I want to provide a space for each of you coming to chair at Åland 2022 where you take ownership for your commitment, progression, and accomplishments. Having been a part of many chairs’ teams, good and bad, the best ones have ensured each individual is the central reason for their own success, whilst the team supports them and helps them better understand their actions as a chair. I see this as developing an appreciation, and critical approach for the ins and outs of chairing, where you can exercise your own judgement.

Some of the best support, both technical and emotional, I have ever received in EYP has come from the people in teams who I have worked directly alongside with. Likewise, I would guess this is true for most of you reading this.

With that, we rely on you to get to know, engage, and be a pillar for the rest of your team, knowing you will receive the same back but in spades. Here we are looking for motivated people to be an active member of the team, regardless of experience, who are open to working with and learning from those around them. Simply put, we want our chairs team to respect, listen to and keep an eye out for one another in order for us all to have a brilliant time.

Finally, I want to address how we aim to establish a sustainable working environment as a team. Yannika, her Corgis and the NC are resolute in keeping a healthy balance of work, fun, and time to oneself at our session and I am firmly in agreement with them. You are doing EYP as a volunteer and your experience should be one that you look back upon fondly without any immediate sacrifices detrimental to your wellbeing. Whilst we want to provide you with formative pre-session trainings and activities, you choose what level of engagement is best for yourself and your decision will be respected. For the session itself, we will reach out to the officials’ team about the working hours and inter-team activities to ensure both are reasonable. Furthemore, we will Furthermore, we hope you can come to Åland with respect the provided down-time and will work to an enhanced sense of purpose and self-belief so that ensure each member has the space to decompress you can enjoy as many aspects of the session as you and have fun in and out of our team. please whilst achieving your goals. The board has a role to play in all of this but you as a chairs’ team member equally do.

That may seem daunting but we will almost exclusively run our pre-session preparation well in advance of the session. This is so you have time to think about and discuss with us how you can use the content you encounter and have the time to practice and put it into action. In tandem with online training we hope to organise digital social activities together so that we can develop a rapport with one another so that we all arrive already feeling part of the team. Equally, this should allow our CJO day to focus on officials’ team-building and give you a chance to iron out any small details or concerns before the session starts in full.

EDITORS’ VISION

Cameron Dunn Merelle (FI) Editor

Annelou Snippe (NL) Editor

Our vision for Åland focuses around utilising the strengths of each individual to create and foster space to learn and grow from one another. As editors, we are aware that we don’t know everything and that each member of the team will have their own set of ideas and skills. These ideas are what makes each member vital in shaping the media output, and these skills will give each participant opportunities to grow. In doing so, we aim to produce session output that each member of the media team can see themselves in and feel as if they have contributed to.

In taking inspiration by the unique setting of the session, media output will be equally inspired by Åland itself and the session. With Åland being riddled with culture, we want to encourage members of the media team to explore beyond the session and to get inspired by Åland. As a way to not limit any creative freedom, we want to give you as much material to work from and with a whole island to explore, the sky’s the limit!

In order to assure high quality output (and to make sure nothing is missed whilst half the team is adventuring), the team will be split into several focus areas, as to ensure quality over quantity of content.

These teams will divide into photography, videography, as well as social media. Each focus area will be led by a member of the editorial team, who will work closely to develop and produce high quality output. However, in keeping the unity of the team, we also recognise that each focus group requires the help of each other in order to succeed. For example, the social media focus group will need the help from both the videography and photography teams for their content.

Through these focus groups the media team will help each other to look and undertake opportunities for output. At the session, we want to place emphasis on project brainstorming and development as a team, rather than in individual groups. This way, we hope to have content that compliments each other and exhibits a variety of output. Team members will be pushed to work together on projects, making it possible to learn from each other.

We hope to facilitate opportunities for team members to experience the teaching of new skills to others and prepare them for taking on larger projects in the future. We want to support each member in achieving their goals within EYP or outside of it, whether that be to edit their own session one day or simply learn a new area of media.

We strongly encourage you to apply if you feel as if this is something you can contribute to, see yourself within and think that you can learn from.

See you in Åland!

VISION FOR THE EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS The Editorial Assistants for Åland will have the responsibility of leading their own focus group alongside the session output that falls under it. We want to assure that our EAs feel comfortable taking on a leadership role and are able to lead a team with confidence.

Whilst there is no limitation as to which focus group you would like to lead, please make it clear throughout your application the area(s) of EYP media you feel the most comfortable in.

HEAD OF JURY’S VISION

Jason Yu (UK) Head of Jury

The theme of the session is all about intergovernmental cooperation and sustainability, and I feel this is especially important for any jury team. We cannot create a good and fair overview of delegates if we do not have good cooperation with the other teams at the session, including delegates. This applies within the team too. Therefore, my vision is for a transparent and approachable jury team, where everyone’s opinions hold equal weight. There will be no hierarchy, but a focus on pre-session training and bonding to grow our confidence in our own abilities and in each other. I’d also love to be able to continually improve the way we do jury via new methods and activities.

should still always take it seriously. It’s important to remember the reason we are doing this in the first place. We are selecting delegates who we believe will positively contribute to EYP and who will develop from this opportunity. Every delegate is important and it is our responsibility and privilege to unbiasedly evaluate delegates, to provide them with constructive feedback.

As we have a good overview of the whole session, we also have a unique opportunity to help promote cooperation and bonding between all officials. I would be very interested in jury members contributing their own ideas to this, and to all the other aspects mentioned in this vision!

We should always be comfortable expressing our opinions to each other, and never be afraid of ask- If you are eager to help grow our network and give ing questions or voicing our problems. Whilst I aim others the opportunity to develop, then I will be to create a relaxed and informal atmosphere, we very excited to read your application!