PRESIDENT

The role of the President of the Board of the European Youth Parliament Switzerland can be likened to the captain of a ship. Just as a captain and their crew are responsible for charting the course of their vessel, the Board is responsible for setting the direction and goals of the European Youth Parliament. They provide guidance and leadership to ensure that we as an organisation stay on track and achieve our objectives.

2022 was a year filled with stormy waters. A beacon of light at the start of spring 2022 were the Regional and Digital Sessions. EYP Switzerland continued with the digital session format as well as reintroducing in-person Regional Sessions with the organising team of Bern 2022, thanks to the courage, knowledge and dedication of a new generation of EYPers who embody the resilience and capacity for innovation of the organisation and the people who carry it.

In the meantime, due to complications within the organisation, the water remained turbulent and the Board of EYP Switzerland had to take over organising the National Selection Conference. This means the majority of funding, finding venues, patrons and a lot more were completed by a small group of individuals who dedicated countless hours to the event.

Thankfully they were joined by the know organising team, who were able to take the completed tasks and shape Basel 22 into their own event. Those of us who have been there from the beginning can not express in words how proud we are of your achievements and thank you for the wonderful session held in September. Many delegates have stayed committed to the organisation post their first nationals and it is due to your hard work. Furthermore, the majority have been able to travel abroad due to the excellent job done by Valérie Cafaro.

The storm continued to brew within the months following the session, however there have been many moments of sunshine with members events organised primarily by Louise Lange. As a volunteer-based organisation, EYP Switzerland relies on individuals stepping up to carry the organisation forward. Beyond the individual, however, it only functions if we come together and work towards our common goals as a team.

As For EYP Switzerland to continue in the future, we rely on new members to take up positions of responsibility in our events and on the Board, in order to shape the course of the organisation in the years to come.

After three years on the Board and almost seven years in the organisation, I am leaving my role of President, feeling excited by the changes we have been able to implement as an organisation and excited to see how future generations will continue to grow and mould EYP Switzerland.

My last words go to Johannes, Can, Louise, Valérie, Leonardo and Matthias. I am humbled by their strength, dedication and perseverance that have kept EYP Switzerland afloat. I owe you my thanks and my utmost respect. To end my sea analogy I’d like to quote Robin Sharma: “Rough seas make stronger sailors. Tough times build greater people.”

Thank you.