YEPP Summerschool 2010 Riga, Latvia
YEPP CHAIRMEN'S CONFERENCE PARIS, FRANCEHigh Speed Broadband Internet in Europe, The Banning of Ephedrine Mephedrone and the Regulation of “Head Shops”, Tightening Sanctions against Iran Concerning the Regime’s Nuclear Weapons Programme, a Union for the Mediterranean, and a Stronger EU with Stronger Partners. A very high level of speakers contributed to YEPP’s debates. The Conference opened with an address of Xavier BERTRAND, UMP National Secretary, who urged the youth to seize all topics with passion. Speakers over the course of the event included Dominique PAILLE, UMP Spokesman, who hoped that the Greek and Georgian crisis would show that Europe has never been so closed to establishing itself as a leader on the international scale; and Guillaume KLOSSA, President of the NGO Europanova, who predicted that the aging of the population will be at the center of the democratic debate. YEPP President Laurent SCHOUTETEN participated in a lively debate with Aloïs RIGAUT, of European Liberal Democrat Youth, and Pauline GESSANT, of European Federalist Youth. Their main point of agreement was to underline that Europe should answer European preoccupations and be closer to her citizens. Mr. RIGAUT underlined that, according to him, big coalition are counterproductive in the public debate. Pauline GESSANT added that implementing Europeans symbols would reinforce the spirit of cohesion. On the topic of internet and technologies of information and communication YEPP welcomed Nathalie KOSCIUSKO-MORIZET, Junior Prospective and Digital Economy Minister, Benoist APPARU, Junior Housing Minister, former youth conservative party, President and Karim LESINA, Executive Director EMEA Government Affairs of AT&T. They gave different perspectives which roused the participants and prepared them for a lively debate on the following day with Ravi Singh, CEO and Founder of Election Mall. He passionately presented the importance and potential of technology in election campaigning. This discussion was culminated with the interventions of EPP Secretary General Marta LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ and Kostas SASMATZOGLOU, EPP spokesman who appealed to the youth to lead in this wave of technology. They presented the new EPP website with all its new technology tools. Lastly, YEPP was honoured by the intervention of Hervé MORIN, Minister of Defence, President of Nouveau Centre. He spoke solemnly of the disparity between European interest and national interest. The Europeans have abandoned the idea of having an influence on important foreign policy matter, as representing Europe. Only France and Great Britain have a real defence policy; not only relying on the NATO alliance. Hervé MORIN considered that it was of utmost importance in the long run for Europe to rectify this situation. With these sobering thoughts, YEPP participants debated and signed their Joint Chairmens’ Resolution on Mobility of Youth in a state of renewed thoughtfulness. YEPP SEMINAR SOFIA, BULGARIA• “The role of Young People in the Legislative Process” with Ms. Tsetska Tsacheva – Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Republic of Bulgaria, • “Security Policies and Tackling Corruption in New Member States” with Mr. Tsvetan Tsvetanov – Vice-prime minister and Minister of Interior, • “Surviving the Economic Crisis – the Challenges in Front of Youth Entrepreneurship” with Mr. Simeon Djankov - Vice-prime minister and Minister of Finance, • “Europe of the Regions – strengthening regional cooperation” with Mr. Rosen Plevneliev – Minister of Regional Developmentand Public Works, • “The common European foreign policy after the ratification of the Lisbon treaty” with Mr. Nikolay Mladenov – Minister of Foreign Policy, • “Youth policies – challenges and perspectives. Developing strategy for youth. Establishing National Youth Councils” with Ms. Petia Evtimova – Deputy minister of Education, Youth and Science, responsible for Youth Policies. After this comprehensive overview and discussions YEPP participants went to the office of the Mayor of Sofia to discuss the challenges in youth policies from the municipal point of view. Ms. Yordanka Fandukova – Mayor of Sofia gave of her time and wisdom before going to attend an important celebration and ceremony at the main church. It was an extraordinarily well organized and welcoming seminar. Participants debated and learned from each other and from seminar speakers at very high levels. MGERB were perfect hosts and YEPP thanks them deeply for their efforts. YEPP SEMINAR TIRANA, ALBANIA
YEPP SEMINAR THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS
YEPP SUMMERSCHOOL NEPTUN, ROMANIAParticipants profited from a plethora of interactions in Neptune. The lectures provided by Romanian Specialists combined with the presentation of campaigning materials by our participants contributed to a high level of interest and variety. (Programme) It was a great occasion both for the organizations to introduce themselves to each other and for them to share their most up-to-date progress. YEPP was very impressed with the creativity of its delegates’ election campaign materials particularly in their use of internet and alternate media. YEPP thanks all its participants and organizers for this great effort. VIIth YEPP CONGRESS ROMEThe Congress serves not only as YEPP’s highest statutory body, but also as forum for getting to know like-minded centre-right young politicians. The programme contained several inputs from European political players including Mr. Gert-Jan Poëttering, Chairman of the European Parliament, EPP-President Wilfried Martens and many other high ranking guests. On Saturday, 4 April a new board was elected and several resolutions adopted. YEPP SEMINAR ATHENS, GREECEFor this seminar, YEPP Full Member Organossis Neon Neas Dimokratias (ONNED) was happy to host us. The seminar was also organised in cooperation with the European People's Party. Here you can find the adopted resolutions and the working paper. YEPP SEMINAR VILNIUS, LITHUANIAFor this seminar, YEPP Full Member Jaunieji Krikscionys Demokratai (JKD) was happy to host us. The seminar was also organised in cooperation with the European People's Party, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Eduardo Frei Foundation. Here you can find the adopted resolutions and the working paper YEPP SUMMERSCHOOL VARNA, BULGARIAAs this was a summer school, we did not deal with resolutions and the plenary session (Council meeting) was kept to the minimum. A summerschool event is also the perfect moment to introduce new youngsters to the European Platform as the programme was more relax than usual. YEPP CHAIRMEN'S CONFERENCE PORTO, PORTUGALThe Chairmen´s Conference is not a regular activity in our agenda, but quite a special event in which we have the opportunity not only to discuss about European politics but also to enjoy the participation of those who have been active in an important part of our short but intense history. YEPP invited people who dedicated much of their time and efforts to build up YEPP and make it become what it is today. Despite the real bad weather, this event was very fruitful thanks to the good and active participation of our participants as well due to the good cares of our hosting organisation JSD. (Programme) Here you can find the resolutions and the charter signed by all present presidents. YEPP SEMINAR CORK, IRELANDFor this seminar, YEPP Full Member Young Fine Gael was happy to host us. The seminar was organised in cooperation with the European People's Party, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Fine Gael, MP Burke, Ms. Creigton TD and Dr. Varadkar TD as well as Sen. JP. Phelan. Here you can find the resolutions and the working paper of the seminar and here the programme. YEPP SEMINAR STRASBOURG, FRANCEThe seminar took place in the European Parliament and in the Parliamentary Association of the Council of Europe. Many high-ranking guests were present, like Mr. Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED group in the European Parliament, Mr. Van der Linden, Chairman of the EPP-ED group in the Council of Europe and several experts in the field. The event was hosted by French full member Jeunes UMP. Please find the documents that were adopted here and the final programme here. |