6th National Selection Conference of EYP Slovenia
The President’s Vision “Crisis as a Moment of Reinvention” Ever since its foundation, the EU has experienced different crises along the way, each of them having the power to shape the future. Among the most recent and notable are the Eurozone crisis, the migration crisis and Brexit. However, not only the crisis itself shapes the future, but also our reaction to it. A crisis can be used as a moment to evaluate and reinvent the instruments that are in place to deal with it, resulting in a paradox often called “failing forward”. “Failing forward” means that even though the EU has often failed to respond appropriately to various crises, each failure can be seen as a chance to move forward and introduce more appropriate measures. The theme of the session is especially important during a time when we are collectively witnessing the detrimental consequences of the ongoing Coronavirus crisis and the crucial role that the EU has in combating it. I envision Ljubljana 2020 to be a platform where its participants can critically assess the response to different crises on a societal, governmental and intergovernmental level, as well as answer a pressing question - are we failing or failing forward?
The Structure of the Chairs’ Team The board will consist of myself and 2-3 vice-presidents with equally divided responsibilities, from the selection process of the chairs’ team to writing feedback/evaluations together. Vice-presidents are also expected to participate in leadership activities. All committees in Ljubljana 2020 will be single chaired, gathering a team of 8 chairpersons.
Improving Existing Practices Naturally, there are certain elements in every role, session or procedure that you dislike or think could be improved. To avoid repeating practices we do not find beneficial, I am looking forward to reinventing them together with the board. Just like the theme suggests, reinvention should not be an abstract term. Instead, I expect us to introduce small and feasible changes as a response to our previous experiences. Moreover, I believe that experiments, even if they don’t live up to our expectations, always bring value.
Prioritising Fun Taking into account different responsibilities that everyone carries throughout the session, my goal is to gather an officials’ team where each individual is aware of their role and has sufficient experience to execute it. But, above all, I aim to have a team that strives to have fun, taking off the immense pressure we often feel at EYP sessions. Your presence at Ljubljana 2020 should be enjoyable and I hope to work together with the leadership team to ensure there is a space for everyone to relax and enjoy themselves.
I look forward to reading your application if you feel like this is a vision you could contribute to and help bring to reality!
Sincerely, Rita Jevdokimova President of Ljubljana 2020