Outreach Sessions
The European Youth Parliament in Germany (EJP) organises two to three-day-long German-speaking parliamentary simulations for schools from all over Germany. The events are suited to students from Year 9 onwards. The aim of these events is to sensitise as many students in all of Germany as possible for European political topics. Voluntary moderators from the EJP prepare complex political topics to make them accessible to the students, who then discuss them and develop their own solutions to the proposed political problems.
Usually the EJP coordinates with a number of schools and businesses within a given region to enable as many students from different school forms as possible to take part in our events. This type of event is especially tailored to students and trainees attending schools, that have not previously taken part in the National Selection Process.
Procedure
Just like most of our events the EYP@school events can be divided into three sections. Led by the experienced moderators from the EJP the event starts with teambuilding to increase the exchange between the participants and build a comfortable and constructive atmosphere.
Following teambuilding the participants gather in their committees, where they, guided by their experienced moderator, develop solutions to current European political questions. The participants develop their own ideas and visions, which result in a resolution, written by the participants, at the end of committee work.
The highlight of the event is the general assembly. The participants have the chance to present their resolutions to the other committees and also defend it against any criticism. In doing so they can discover how difficult but also satisfying it can be to reach a compromise in a political setting.
You have fun to debate? You want to experience political processes closely? And you want to meet other motivated young Europeans?
Apply now individually or with friends as a school delegation and we trying to organise an event in your region!
What happens at these events?
Before the event begins all participants have the chance to prepare research on an exciting committee topic. The events themselves consist of three main elements: teambuilding, committee work, and the general assembly. There will also be enough time to get to know eachother better during and after committee work and the general assembly.
Teambuilding
At the beginning of each event the delegates meet in their allocated groups, the committees, and engage in teambuilding to get to know eachother better. Guided by experienced chairpersons from our network the participants can overcome inhibitions, build trust, and create a team spirit. Additionally, joint consensus finding and problem solving are practiced and the participants are sensitised towards group dynamic processes.
Committee Work
During committee work each committee develops a resolution on a current and controversial topic. During this the participants exchange their knowledge and arguments on their particular topic. The chairperson supports the committee in finding a compromise that all the members of the committee can agree on. Each participant contributes their own opinion and ideas to the resolution.
General Assembly
During the general assembly the delegates discuss the resolutions they produced during committee work according to parliamentary procedures. The participants present their positions to the assembly and contribute their thoughts on the other resolutions. Lastly, the participants vote on the results of the committee work.
Results of our Work
As an informal educational project for young people by young people our events focus on exchange between people. Thanks to the diverse committees including both apprentices and students rich discussion arise which allow new perspectives on pressing political topics.
Besides the debates many young people experience for the first time the feeling to be involved in the democratic decision-making process and to hold their own parliamentary speeches.
We offer apprentices and student also the opportunity to stay active within the European Youth Parliament. They can voluntarily engage in the organisation or take part in more than 600 events across the continent. We gladly offer advice for financial support; especially regarding our travel grant.
Requirements
Generally, the programme is open to all types of Schorles. We want to particularly encourage apprentices and student from geographically remote regions to apply to our sessions. To the extent we can secure external funding no additional costs will arise for the hosting school. However, we depend on the support when it comes to the planning and execution of the event; especially regarding the availability of rooms. We gladly answer your questions during a meeting in person.
We work closely with companies who want to offer the apprentices the chance to take part in our events. Requests will be accepeted by our managing director Claudia Ardelean.
Currently, the project is supported by a donation of the Skala-Initiative.