Oulu 2013Regional Session of EYP Finland

Preparation Kit for Delegates

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

Welcome words

Dear delegates

With this greeting I would like to welcome you to the world of EYP and specifically to the regional session of EYP Finland in Oulu 2013 EYP is a challenge it is something you fall in love with it is a place where many finally find the opportu-nity to speak out and express our opinions EYP is full of opportunities and experiences and I am thrilled that you have decided to give it a try

In this topic preparation booklet you will find a topic overview written by the chairperson of your committee The overview is a brief outline of the issues and main questions you will be discussing with your committees The more you prepare the better you will succeed and the more fun you will have so I encourage you to take some time to get to know your topic and the links that have been provided to you

I really look forward to meeting all of you Welcome to Oulu 2013 and good luck

Sini HyytiaumlinenPresidentOulu 2013

---

European Youth Parliament (EYP)

The European Youth Parliament represents a non-partisan and independent educational project which is tailored specifi-cally to the needs of the young European citizen European Youth Parliament Finland established in 2011 is the National Committee of the EYP in Finland

The EYP encourages independent thinking and initiative in young people and facilitates the learning of crucial social and professional skills Since its inauguration many tens of thousands of young people have taken part in Regional National and International Sessions formed friendships and made international contacts across and beyond borders The EYP has thus made a vital contribution towards uniting Europe

Today the EYP is one of the largest European platforms for political debate intercultural encounters political educational work and the exchange of ideas among young people in Europe The EYP consists of a network of 36 European associa-tions in which thousands of young people are active in a voluntary capacity

The EYP is a programme of the Schwarzkopf Foundation

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

European Union (EU)

The European Union is an economic and political union of 28 Member States The EU was established by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993 upon the foundations of the European Communities With over 500 million inhabitants the EU gener-ated an estimated 21 of the PPP gross world product in 2009

The EU has developed a single market through a standardised system of laws which apply in all Member States and ensures the free movement of people goods services and capital including the abolition of passport controls within the Schengen area It enacts legislation in justice and home affairs and maintains common policies on trade agriculture fisheries and regional development Seventeen Member States have adopted a common currency the euro

With a view to its relations with the wider world the EU has developed a limited role in foreign and defence policy through the Common Foreign and Security Policy Permanent diplomatic missions have been established around the world and the EU is represented at the United Nations the WTO the G8 and the G-20

The EU operates through a hybrid system of supranationalism and intergovernmentalism In certain areas decisions are taken by independent institutions while in others they are made through negotiation between Member States

The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community formed by six countries in the 1950s Since then it has grown in size through enlargement and in power through the addition of policy areas to its remit The last amendment to the constitutional basis of the EU came into force in 2009 and was the Lisbon Treaty

The institutions of the European Union

The European Council is responsible for defining the general political direction and priorities of the EU It comprises the heads of state or government of EU Member States along with its President (currently Herman Van Rompuy from Bel-gium) and the President of the Commission

The Council of the European Union (commonly referred to as the Council of Ministers) is the institution in the legislature of the EU representing the governments of member states the other legislative body being the European Parliament The exact membership depends upon the topic for example when discussing agricultural policy the Council is formed by the 28 national ministers whose portfolio includes this policy area

The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the EU Together with the Council it forms the bicameral legislative branch of the EU The Parliament is composed of 766 MEPs The current president is Martin Schulz from Germany

The European Commission is the executive body of the EU It is responsible for proposing legislation implementing deci-sions upholding the Unionrsquos treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union The Commission operates as a cabinet government with 28 Commissioners The current President is Joseacute Manuel Duratildeo Barroso from Portugal

Other important institutions of the EU include the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Central Bank The EU also has several agencies and other institutions

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

Committee topics

1 Committee on Foreign Affairs ndash AFET

Chairpersons Lucie Meacuterelle (FI) Ella Palkoaho (FI)

With over 100 000 dead and millions of refugees the Syrian civil war has become one of the worst humanitarian crises of the decade As talk of the possibility of military intervention increases what stance should the EU take in international efforts to cease the violence in Syria

2 Committee on Culture and Education ndash CULT

Chairpersons Elsa Lund (SE) Lea Schiewer (DE)

Cross-cultural encounters as major construction projects bring large numbers of foreign workers to peripheral areas with traditionally homogenous populations the ensuing cultural encounters can potentially be difficult How should EU Member States facilitate the integration of foreign workers in peripheries so that the benefits of labour mobility can be maximised in these areas as well

3 Committee on Development ndash DEVE

Chairpersons Saumlde Kanervisto (FI) Hammu Varjonen (FI)

Dead aid Combined the European Commission and the EU Member States constitute the single largest donor of development aid but the effectiveness of development aid is frequently questioned How should the EU make sure that European efforts secure a better economic and political future for the developing world

4 Committee on Industry Research and Energy ndash ITRE

Chairpersons Ana Viitanen (FI) Henok Ghebrenigus (NL)

The post-Fukushima Europe with the challenge of balancing environmental sustainability security and the need for cheap energy what role should nuclear energy play in the EU Member Statesrsquo energy strategies

5 Committee on Regional Development ndash REGI

Chairpersons Hans Naumlsman (FI) Jenni Roumlynauml (FI)

Reviewing the Catalan Scottish and Flemish experience with breakaway regions sending the EU into legally and po-litically unmapped territory what should be the EUrsquos stance towards secession movements within its borders and the potential of newly emerging states within EU territory

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

6 Committee on Security and Defence

Chairpersons Maris Rutkis (LV) Sini Hyytiaumlinen (FI)

In the aftermath of the NSA spying scandal it has become clear that large-scale electronic surveillance is a global phenomenon How should the EU and its Member States respond to the threat foreign surveillance poses to information security of European organisations and citizens

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

1 Committee on Foreign Affairs ndash AFET

Chairpersons Lucie Meacuterelle (FI) Ella Palkoaho (FI)

With over 100 000 dead and millions of refugees the Syrian civil war has become one of the worst humanitarian crises of the decade As talk of the possibility of military intervention increases what stance should the EU take in interna-tional efforts to cease the violence in Syria

Link to the Video Presentation

Overview

In March 2011 a Civil war erupted in the middle-eastern country of Syria It is an on-going conflict between the long-serving Syrian government and those seeking to bring it down also known as the rebel forces With so many different rebel groups and governmental bodies involved this Civil war is said to be the worst humanitarian crisis of the decade resulting in thousands of refugees displaced and numerous people massacred The international community has failed several times in trying to forge an enduring ceasefire between the two sides Now recent proof of Syrian military using chemical weapons of mass-destruction against civilians in Damascus has evoked calls for a military intervention of the international community However governments all over the world demand alternatives on how to better handle the situ-ation Still Syria with its use of chemical warfare and thus violation of international law has gone too far to refrain from a military response Therefore it has come into light that there are no other substitutes

The media has recently exposed reports that the US will be ldquogoing to warrdquo with Syria and subsequent comments have informed that the US was ldquoready to gordquo should President Barack Obama order military action By ldquoready to gordquo the government means providing air support to the Syrian rebels as it did for the Libyan rebellion to oust Muammar Gaddafi from office two years ago In doing so President Bashar al-Assadrsquos next maneuver shall be intermitted

Al-Assad is seen as a genocidal leader who is intent on retaining power through any means necessary In order to achieve his aims he has committed a crime against humanity by murdering more than 1000 people including more than 400 children with chemical weapons Hence it seems that the US are determined to support the Syrian rebels obliging al-Assad to step down Furthermore they appear to be willing to take the responsibilities of the chaos and destruction caused by al-Assad President Obamarsquos proclaimed red line on chemical weapons has trapped his government On the one hand it does not want to militarily intervene but on the other hand it cannot stand idly after having been so explicit about what would trigger military action

The US government faces the challenge to convince a war-weary public that a possible intervention will not become a protracted mission while simultaneously gaining time to establish a broad coalition of support consisting of the United Nations the NATO and the Arab League At the same time Russia and China continue to veto all resolutions condemning President Al-Assadrsquos government in the United Nations Security Council Hence taking decisive action to cease the civil war becomes more and more difficult

Keywords

Syrian civil war worst humanitarian crises military intervention increases cease the violence

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

Welcome words

Dear delegates

With this greeting I would like to welcome you to the world of EYP and specifically to the regional session of EYP Finland in Oulu 2013 EYP is a challenge it is something you fall in love with it is a place where many finally find the opportu-nity to speak out and express our opinions EYP is full of opportunities and experiences and I am thrilled that you have decided to give it a try

In this topic preparation booklet you will find a topic overview written by the chairperson of your committee The overview is a brief outline of the issues and main questions you will be discussing with your committees The more you prepare the better you will succeed and the more fun you will have so I encourage you to take some time to get to know your topic and the links that have been provided to you

I really look forward to meeting all of you Welcome to Oulu 2013 and good luck

Sini HyytiaumlinenPresidentOulu 2013

---

European Youth Parliament (EYP)

The European Youth Parliament represents a non-partisan and independent educational project which is tailored specifi-cally to the needs of the young European citizen European Youth Parliament Finland established in 2011 is the National Committee of the EYP in Finland

The EYP encourages independent thinking and initiative in young people and facilitates the learning of crucial social and professional skills Since its inauguration many tens of thousands of young people have taken part in Regional National and International Sessions formed friendships and made international contacts across and beyond borders The EYP has thus made a vital contribution towards uniting Europe

Today the EYP is one of the largest European platforms for political debate intercultural encounters political educational work and the exchange of ideas among young people in Europe The EYP consists of a network of 36 European associa-tions in which thousands of young people are active in a voluntary capacity

The EYP is a programme of the Schwarzkopf Foundation

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

European Union (EU)

The European Union is an economic and political union of 28 Member States The EU was established by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993 upon the foundations of the European Communities With over 500 million inhabitants the EU gener-ated an estimated 21 of the PPP gross world product in 2009

The EU has developed a single market through a standardised system of laws which apply in all Member States and ensures the free movement of people goods services and capital including the abolition of passport controls within the Schengen area It enacts legislation in justice and home affairs and maintains common policies on trade agriculture fisheries and regional development Seventeen Member States have adopted a common currency the euro

With a view to its relations with the wider world the EU has developed a limited role in foreign and defence policy through the Common Foreign and Security Policy Permanent diplomatic missions have been established around the world and the EU is represented at the United Nations the WTO the G8 and the G-20

The EU operates through a hybrid system of supranationalism and intergovernmentalism In certain areas decisions are taken by independent institutions while in others they are made through negotiation between Member States

The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community formed by six countries in the 1950s Since then it has grown in size through enlargement and in power through the addition of policy areas to its remit The last amendment to the constitutional basis of the EU came into force in 2009 and was the Lisbon Treaty

The institutions of the European Union

The European Council is responsible for defining the general political direction and priorities of the EU It comprises the heads of state or government of EU Member States along with its President (currently Herman Van Rompuy from Bel-gium) and the President of the Commission

The Council of the European Union (commonly referred to as the Council of Ministers) is the institution in the legislature of the EU representing the governments of member states the other legislative body being the European Parliament The exact membership depends upon the topic for example when discussing agricultural policy the Council is formed by the 28 national ministers whose portfolio includes this policy area

The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the EU Together with the Council it forms the bicameral legislative branch of the EU The Parliament is composed of 766 MEPs The current president is Martin Schulz from Germany

The European Commission is the executive body of the EU It is responsible for proposing legislation implementing deci-sions upholding the Unionrsquos treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union The Commission operates as a cabinet government with 28 Commissioners The current President is Joseacute Manuel Duratildeo Barroso from Portugal

Other important institutions of the EU include the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Central Bank The EU also has several agencies and other institutions

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

Committee topics

1 Committee on Foreign Affairs ndash AFET

Chairpersons Lucie Meacuterelle (FI) Ella Palkoaho (FI)

With over 100 000 dead and millions of refugees the Syrian civil war has become one of the worst humanitarian crises of the decade As talk of the possibility of military intervention increases what stance should the EU take in international efforts to cease the violence in Syria

2 Committee on Culture and Education ndash CULT

Chairpersons Elsa Lund (SE) Lea Schiewer (DE)

Cross-cultural encounters as major construction projects bring large numbers of foreign workers to peripheral areas with traditionally homogenous populations the ensuing cultural encounters can potentially be difficult How should EU Member States facilitate the integration of foreign workers in peripheries so that the benefits of labour mobility can be maximised in these areas as well

3 Committee on Development ndash DEVE

Chairpersons Saumlde Kanervisto (FI) Hammu Varjonen (FI)

Dead aid Combined the European Commission and the EU Member States constitute the single largest donor of development aid but the effectiveness of development aid is frequently questioned How should the EU make sure that European efforts secure a better economic and political future for the developing world

4 Committee on Industry Research and Energy ndash ITRE

Chairpersons Ana Viitanen (FI) Henok Ghebrenigus (NL)

The post-Fukushima Europe with the challenge of balancing environmental sustainability security and the need for cheap energy what role should nuclear energy play in the EU Member Statesrsquo energy strategies

5 Committee on Regional Development ndash REGI

Chairpersons Hans Naumlsman (FI) Jenni Roumlynauml (FI)

Reviewing the Catalan Scottish and Flemish experience with breakaway regions sending the EU into legally and po-litically unmapped territory what should be the EUrsquos stance towards secession movements within its borders and the potential of newly emerging states within EU territory

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

6 Committee on Security and Defence

Chairpersons Maris Rutkis (LV) Sini Hyytiaumlinen (FI)

In the aftermath of the NSA spying scandal it has become clear that large-scale electronic surveillance is a global phenomenon How should the EU and its Member States respond to the threat foreign surveillance poses to information security of European organisations and citizens

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

1 Committee on Foreign Affairs ndash AFET

Chairpersons Lucie Meacuterelle (FI) Ella Palkoaho (FI)

With over 100 000 dead and millions of refugees the Syrian civil war has become one of the worst humanitarian crises of the decade As talk of the possibility of military intervention increases what stance should the EU take in interna-tional efforts to cease the violence in Syria

Link to the Video Presentation

Overview

In March 2011 a Civil war erupted in the middle-eastern country of Syria It is an on-going conflict between the long-serving Syrian government and those seeking to bring it down also known as the rebel forces With so many different rebel groups and governmental bodies involved this Civil war is said to be the worst humanitarian crisis of the decade resulting in thousands of refugees displaced and numerous people massacred The international community has failed several times in trying to forge an enduring ceasefire between the two sides Now recent proof of Syrian military using chemical weapons of mass-destruction against civilians in Damascus has evoked calls for a military intervention of the international community However governments all over the world demand alternatives on how to better handle the situ-ation Still Syria with its use of chemical warfare and thus violation of international law has gone too far to refrain from a military response Therefore it has come into light that there are no other substitutes

The media has recently exposed reports that the US will be ldquogoing to warrdquo with Syria and subsequent comments have informed that the US was ldquoready to gordquo should President Barack Obama order military action By ldquoready to gordquo the government means providing air support to the Syrian rebels as it did for the Libyan rebellion to oust Muammar Gaddafi from office two years ago In doing so President Bashar al-Assadrsquos next maneuver shall be intermitted

Al-Assad is seen as a genocidal leader who is intent on retaining power through any means necessary In order to achieve his aims he has committed a crime against humanity by murdering more than 1000 people including more than 400 children with chemical weapons Hence it seems that the US are determined to support the Syrian rebels obliging al-Assad to step down Furthermore they appear to be willing to take the responsibilities of the chaos and destruction caused by al-Assad President Obamarsquos proclaimed red line on chemical weapons has trapped his government On the one hand it does not want to militarily intervene but on the other hand it cannot stand idly after having been so explicit about what would trigger military action

The US government faces the challenge to convince a war-weary public that a possible intervention will not become a protracted mission while simultaneously gaining time to establish a broad coalition of support consisting of the United Nations the NATO and the Arab League At the same time Russia and China continue to veto all resolutions condemning President Al-Assadrsquos government in the United Nations Security Council Hence taking decisive action to cease the civil war becomes more and more difficult

Keywords

Syrian civil war worst humanitarian crises military intervention increases cease the violence

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

European Union (EU)

The European Union is an economic and political union of 28 Member States The EU was established by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993 upon the foundations of the European Communities With over 500 million inhabitants the EU gener-ated an estimated 21 of the PPP gross world product in 2009

The EU has developed a single market through a standardised system of laws which apply in all Member States and ensures the free movement of people goods services and capital including the abolition of passport controls within the Schengen area It enacts legislation in justice and home affairs and maintains common policies on trade agriculture fisheries and regional development Seventeen Member States have adopted a common currency the euro

With a view to its relations with the wider world the EU has developed a limited role in foreign and defence policy through the Common Foreign and Security Policy Permanent diplomatic missions have been established around the world and the EU is represented at the United Nations the WTO the G8 and the G-20

The EU operates through a hybrid system of supranationalism and intergovernmentalism In certain areas decisions are taken by independent institutions while in others they are made through negotiation between Member States

The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community formed by six countries in the 1950s Since then it has grown in size through enlargement and in power through the addition of policy areas to its remit The last amendment to the constitutional basis of the EU came into force in 2009 and was the Lisbon Treaty

The institutions of the European Union

The European Council is responsible for defining the general political direction and priorities of the EU It comprises the heads of state or government of EU Member States along with its President (currently Herman Van Rompuy from Bel-gium) and the President of the Commission

The Council of the European Union (commonly referred to as the Council of Ministers) is the institution in the legislature of the EU representing the governments of member states the other legislative body being the European Parliament The exact membership depends upon the topic for example when discussing agricultural policy the Council is formed by the 28 national ministers whose portfolio includes this policy area

The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the EU Together with the Council it forms the bicameral legislative branch of the EU The Parliament is composed of 766 MEPs The current president is Martin Schulz from Germany

The European Commission is the executive body of the EU It is responsible for proposing legislation implementing deci-sions upholding the Unionrsquos treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union The Commission operates as a cabinet government with 28 Commissioners The current President is Joseacute Manuel Duratildeo Barroso from Portugal

Other important institutions of the EU include the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Central Bank The EU also has several agencies and other institutions

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

Committee topics

1 Committee on Foreign Affairs ndash AFET

Chairpersons Lucie Meacuterelle (FI) Ella Palkoaho (FI)

With over 100 000 dead and millions of refugees the Syrian civil war has become one of the worst humanitarian crises of the decade As talk of the possibility of military intervention increases what stance should the EU take in international efforts to cease the violence in Syria

2 Committee on Culture and Education ndash CULT

Chairpersons Elsa Lund (SE) Lea Schiewer (DE)

Cross-cultural encounters as major construction projects bring large numbers of foreign workers to peripheral areas with traditionally homogenous populations the ensuing cultural encounters can potentially be difficult How should EU Member States facilitate the integration of foreign workers in peripheries so that the benefits of labour mobility can be maximised in these areas as well

3 Committee on Development ndash DEVE

Chairpersons Saumlde Kanervisto (FI) Hammu Varjonen (FI)

Dead aid Combined the European Commission and the EU Member States constitute the single largest donor of development aid but the effectiveness of development aid is frequently questioned How should the EU make sure that European efforts secure a better economic and political future for the developing world

4 Committee on Industry Research and Energy ndash ITRE

Chairpersons Ana Viitanen (FI) Henok Ghebrenigus (NL)

The post-Fukushima Europe with the challenge of balancing environmental sustainability security and the need for cheap energy what role should nuclear energy play in the EU Member Statesrsquo energy strategies

5 Committee on Regional Development ndash REGI

Chairpersons Hans Naumlsman (FI) Jenni Roumlynauml (FI)

Reviewing the Catalan Scottish and Flemish experience with breakaway regions sending the EU into legally and po-litically unmapped territory what should be the EUrsquos stance towards secession movements within its borders and the potential of newly emerging states within EU territory

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

6 Committee on Security and Defence

Chairpersons Maris Rutkis (LV) Sini Hyytiaumlinen (FI)

In the aftermath of the NSA spying scandal it has become clear that large-scale electronic surveillance is a global phenomenon How should the EU and its Member States respond to the threat foreign surveillance poses to information security of European organisations and citizens

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

1 Committee on Foreign Affairs ndash AFET

Chairpersons Lucie Meacuterelle (FI) Ella Palkoaho (FI)

With over 100 000 dead and millions of refugees the Syrian civil war has become one of the worst humanitarian crises of the decade As talk of the possibility of military intervention increases what stance should the EU take in interna-tional efforts to cease the violence in Syria

Link to the Video Presentation

Overview

In March 2011 a Civil war erupted in the middle-eastern country of Syria It is an on-going conflict between the long-serving Syrian government and those seeking to bring it down also known as the rebel forces With so many different rebel groups and governmental bodies involved this Civil war is said to be the worst humanitarian crisis of the decade resulting in thousands of refugees displaced and numerous people massacred The international community has failed several times in trying to forge an enduring ceasefire between the two sides Now recent proof of Syrian military using chemical weapons of mass-destruction against civilians in Damascus has evoked calls for a military intervention of the international community However governments all over the world demand alternatives on how to better handle the situ-ation Still Syria with its use of chemical warfare and thus violation of international law has gone too far to refrain from a military response Therefore it has come into light that there are no other substitutes

The media has recently exposed reports that the US will be ldquogoing to warrdquo with Syria and subsequent comments have informed that the US was ldquoready to gordquo should President Barack Obama order military action By ldquoready to gordquo the government means providing air support to the Syrian rebels as it did for the Libyan rebellion to oust Muammar Gaddafi from office two years ago In doing so President Bashar al-Assadrsquos next maneuver shall be intermitted

Al-Assad is seen as a genocidal leader who is intent on retaining power through any means necessary In order to achieve his aims he has committed a crime against humanity by murdering more than 1000 people including more than 400 children with chemical weapons Hence it seems that the US are determined to support the Syrian rebels obliging al-Assad to step down Furthermore they appear to be willing to take the responsibilities of the chaos and destruction caused by al-Assad President Obamarsquos proclaimed red line on chemical weapons has trapped his government On the one hand it does not want to militarily intervene but on the other hand it cannot stand idly after having been so explicit about what would trigger military action

The US government faces the challenge to convince a war-weary public that a possible intervention will not become a protracted mission while simultaneously gaining time to establish a broad coalition of support consisting of the United Nations the NATO and the Arab League At the same time Russia and China continue to veto all resolutions condemning President Al-Assadrsquos government in the United Nations Security Council Hence taking decisive action to cease the civil war becomes more and more difficult

Keywords

Syrian civil war worst humanitarian crises military intervention increases cease the violence

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

Committee topics

1 Committee on Foreign Affairs ndash AFET

Chairpersons Lucie Meacuterelle (FI) Ella Palkoaho (FI)

With over 100 000 dead and millions of refugees the Syrian civil war has become one of the worst humanitarian crises of the decade As talk of the possibility of military intervention increases what stance should the EU take in international efforts to cease the violence in Syria

2 Committee on Culture and Education ndash CULT

Chairpersons Elsa Lund (SE) Lea Schiewer (DE)

Cross-cultural encounters as major construction projects bring large numbers of foreign workers to peripheral areas with traditionally homogenous populations the ensuing cultural encounters can potentially be difficult How should EU Member States facilitate the integration of foreign workers in peripheries so that the benefits of labour mobility can be maximised in these areas as well

3 Committee on Development ndash DEVE

Chairpersons Saumlde Kanervisto (FI) Hammu Varjonen (FI)

Dead aid Combined the European Commission and the EU Member States constitute the single largest donor of development aid but the effectiveness of development aid is frequently questioned How should the EU make sure that European efforts secure a better economic and political future for the developing world

4 Committee on Industry Research and Energy ndash ITRE

Chairpersons Ana Viitanen (FI) Henok Ghebrenigus (NL)

The post-Fukushima Europe with the challenge of balancing environmental sustainability security and the need for cheap energy what role should nuclear energy play in the EU Member Statesrsquo energy strategies

5 Committee on Regional Development ndash REGI

Chairpersons Hans Naumlsman (FI) Jenni Roumlynauml (FI)

Reviewing the Catalan Scottish and Flemish experience with breakaway regions sending the EU into legally and po-litically unmapped territory what should be the EUrsquos stance towards secession movements within its borders and the potential of newly emerging states within EU territory

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

6 Committee on Security and Defence

Chairpersons Maris Rutkis (LV) Sini Hyytiaumlinen (FI)

In the aftermath of the NSA spying scandal it has become clear that large-scale electronic surveillance is a global phenomenon How should the EU and its Member States respond to the threat foreign surveillance poses to information security of European organisations and citizens

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

1 Committee on Foreign Affairs ndash AFET

Chairpersons Lucie Meacuterelle (FI) Ella Palkoaho (FI)

With over 100 000 dead and millions of refugees the Syrian civil war has become one of the worst humanitarian crises of the decade As talk of the possibility of military intervention increases what stance should the EU take in interna-tional efforts to cease the violence in Syria

Link to the Video Presentation

Overview

In March 2011 a Civil war erupted in the middle-eastern country of Syria It is an on-going conflict between the long-serving Syrian government and those seeking to bring it down also known as the rebel forces With so many different rebel groups and governmental bodies involved this Civil war is said to be the worst humanitarian crisis of the decade resulting in thousands of refugees displaced and numerous people massacred The international community has failed several times in trying to forge an enduring ceasefire between the two sides Now recent proof of Syrian military using chemical weapons of mass-destruction against civilians in Damascus has evoked calls for a military intervention of the international community However governments all over the world demand alternatives on how to better handle the situ-ation Still Syria with its use of chemical warfare and thus violation of international law has gone too far to refrain from a military response Therefore it has come into light that there are no other substitutes

The media has recently exposed reports that the US will be ldquogoing to warrdquo with Syria and subsequent comments have informed that the US was ldquoready to gordquo should President Barack Obama order military action By ldquoready to gordquo the government means providing air support to the Syrian rebels as it did for the Libyan rebellion to oust Muammar Gaddafi from office two years ago In doing so President Bashar al-Assadrsquos next maneuver shall be intermitted

Al-Assad is seen as a genocidal leader who is intent on retaining power through any means necessary In order to achieve his aims he has committed a crime against humanity by murdering more than 1000 people including more than 400 children with chemical weapons Hence it seems that the US are determined to support the Syrian rebels obliging al-Assad to step down Furthermore they appear to be willing to take the responsibilities of the chaos and destruction caused by al-Assad President Obamarsquos proclaimed red line on chemical weapons has trapped his government On the one hand it does not want to militarily intervene but on the other hand it cannot stand idly after having been so explicit about what would trigger military action

The US government faces the challenge to convince a war-weary public that a possible intervention will not become a protracted mission while simultaneously gaining time to establish a broad coalition of support consisting of the United Nations the NATO and the Arab League At the same time Russia and China continue to veto all resolutions condemning President Al-Assadrsquos government in the United Nations Security Council Hence taking decisive action to cease the civil war becomes more and more difficult

Keywords

Syrian civil war worst humanitarian crises military intervention increases cease the violence

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

6 Committee on Security and Defence

Chairpersons Maris Rutkis (LV) Sini Hyytiaumlinen (FI)

In the aftermath of the NSA spying scandal it has become clear that large-scale electronic surveillance is a global phenomenon How should the EU and its Member States respond to the threat foreign surveillance poses to information security of European organisations and citizens

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

1 Committee on Foreign Affairs ndash AFET

Chairpersons Lucie Meacuterelle (FI) Ella Palkoaho (FI)

With over 100 000 dead and millions of refugees the Syrian civil war has become one of the worst humanitarian crises of the decade As talk of the possibility of military intervention increases what stance should the EU take in interna-tional efforts to cease the violence in Syria

Link to the Video Presentation

Overview

In March 2011 a Civil war erupted in the middle-eastern country of Syria It is an on-going conflict between the long-serving Syrian government and those seeking to bring it down also known as the rebel forces With so many different rebel groups and governmental bodies involved this Civil war is said to be the worst humanitarian crisis of the decade resulting in thousands of refugees displaced and numerous people massacred The international community has failed several times in trying to forge an enduring ceasefire between the two sides Now recent proof of Syrian military using chemical weapons of mass-destruction against civilians in Damascus has evoked calls for a military intervention of the international community However governments all over the world demand alternatives on how to better handle the situ-ation Still Syria with its use of chemical warfare and thus violation of international law has gone too far to refrain from a military response Therefore it has come into light that there are no other substitutes

The media has recently exposed reports that the US will be ldquogoing to warrdquo with Syria and subsequent comments have informed that the US was ldquoready to gordquo should President Barack Obama order military action By ldquoready to gordquo the government means providing air support to the Syrian rebels as it did for the Libyan rebellion to oust Muammar Gaddafi from office two years ago In doing so President Bashar al-Assadrsquos next maneuver shall be intermitted

Al-Assad is seen as a genocidal leader who is intent on retaining power through any means necessary In order to achieve his aims he has committed a crime against humanity by murdering more than 1000 people including more than 400 children with chemical weapons Hence it seems that the US are determined to support the Syrian rebels obliging al-Assad to step down Furthermore they appear to be willing to take the responsibilities of the chaos and destruction caused by al-Assad President Obamarsquos proclaimed red line on chemical weapons has trapped his government On the one hand it does not want to militarily intervene but on the other hand it cannot stand idly after having been so explicit about what would trigger military action

The US government faces the challenge to convince a war-weary public that a possible intervention will not become a protracted mission while simultaneously gaining time to establish a broad coalition of support consisting of the United Nations the NATO and the Arab League At the same time Russia and China continue to veto all resolutions condemning President Al-Assadrsquos government in the United Nations Security Council Hence taking decisive action to cease the civil war becomes more and more difficult

Keywords

Syrian civil war worst humanitarian crises military intervention increases cease the violence

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

1 Committee on Foreign Affairs ndash AFET

Chairpersons Lucie Meacuterelle (FI) Ella Palkoaho (FI)

With over 100 000 dead and millions of refugees the Syrian civil war has become one of the worst humanitarian crises of the decade As talk of the possibility of military intervention increases what stance should the EU take in interna-tional efforts to cease the violence in Syria

Link to the Video Presentation

Overview

In March 2011 a Civil war erupted in the middle-eastern country of Syria It is an on-going conflict between the long-serving Syrian government and those seeking to bring it down also known as the rebel forces With so many different rebel groups and governmental bodies involved this Civil war is said to be the worst humanitarian crisis of the decade resulting in thousands of refugees displaced and numerous people massacred The international community has failed several times in trying to forge an enduring ceasefire between the two sides Now recent proof of Syrian military using chemical weapons of mass-destruction against civilians in Damascus has evoked calls for a military intervention of the international community However governments all over the world demand alternatives on how to better handle the situ-ation Still Syria with its use of chemical warfare and thus violation of international law has gone too far to refrain from a military response Therefore it has come into light that there are no other substitutes

The media has recently exposed reports that the US will be ldquogoing to warrdquo with Syria and subsequent comments have informed that the US was ldquoready to gordquo should President Barack Obama order military action By ldquoready to gordquo the government means providing air support to the Syrian rebels as it did for the Libyan rebellion to oust Muammar Gaddafi from office two years ago In doing so President Bashar al-Assadrsquos next maneuver shall be intermitted

Al-Assad is seen as a genocidal leader who is intent on retaining power through any means necessary In order to achieve his aims he has committed a crime against humanity by murdering more than 1000 people including more than 400 children with chemical weapons Hence it seems that the US are determined to support the Syrian rebels obliging al-Assad to step down Furthermore they appear to be willing to take the responsibilities of the chaos and destruction caused by al-Assad President Obamarsquos proclaimed red line on chemical weapons has trapped his government On the one hand it does not want to militarily intervene but on the other hand it cannot stand idly after having been so explicit about what would trigger military action

The US government faces the challenge to convince a war-weary public that a possible intervention will not become a protracted mission while simultaneously gaining time to establish a broad coalition of support consisting of the United Nations the NATO and the Arab League At the same time Russia and China continue to veto all resolutions condemning President Al-Assadrsquos government in the United Nations Security Council Hence taking decisive action to cease the civil war becomes more and more difficult

Keywords

Syrian civil war worst humanitarian crises military intervention increases cease the violence

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

Links for further research

1 Introductory material

A summary of the situation in Syria

A short video on how things escalated and who is involved

2 Official sources

The progression of the Syrian civil war

Information on Syrian refugees and their displacement

The EUrsquos goals in Syria

3 Newspaper articles and other materials

A blog post from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) concerning the outburst and the affects on the busi-ness community

A news article stating that the Syrian Civil war is the worst humanitarian crisis since the Cold war

An interview with Bashar al-Assad concerning the concern of a US military attack

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

2 Committee on Culture and Education ndash CULT

Chairpersons Elsa Lund (SE) Lea Schiewer (DE)

Cross-cultural encounters as major construction projects bring large numbers of foreign workers to peripheral areas with traditionally homogenous populations the ensuing cultural encounters can potentially be difficult How should EU Member States facilitate the integration of foreign workers in peripheries so that the benefits of labour mobility can be maximised in these areas as well

Link to the Video Presentation

Overview

In the 21st century migrants from third countries represent about four per cent of the total EU population This percent-age increases annually and thereby changes the composition of national societies who face the need to integrate the foreign workers in a way that is mutually beneficial Especially in peripheric areas which are characterized by their social homogeneity tailor-made solutions for a successful integration are necessary Thus the EU encourages Member states to exchange their knowledge and best practices about projects aiming at facilitating the daily of migrants in within the network of National Contact Points on Integration These projects obtain funding by the European Fund for the Integra-tion of non-EU immigrants (EIF) which seeks to promote cooperation between Member States in order to grant compa-rable rights responsibilities and opportunities for all The fund disposes of a budget of 825 million for the period 2007-13 and works both at Member Statesrsquo level and at EU level allowing so-called ldquoCommunity actionsrdquo

The Common Basic Principles for Immigrant Integration Policy in the European Union agreed in 2004 serve as the basis for the EIF and the entire policy-making in the area of integration They put into writing ia how crucial migration of foreign workers is for the EUrsquos long-term competitiveness and how both migrants and receiving societies are urged to commit themselves to the process of integration One has to bear in mind it is not the EUrsquos responsibility to determine integration strategies and implement measures however it can provide the coordinative and financial support for its Member States and monitor their efforts In 2005 the European Commission agreed upon the Common Agenda for Inte-gration which suggested several mechanisms and instruments to promote integration and facilitate exchange between integration actors

Further the Europe 2020 Strategy with its headline target to raise the employment rate of 20 to 64-year olds in the EU to 75 and the Stockholm Programme which defines priorities for the area of justice freedom and security set objectives for the immigration policy Both recognize the potential of migration for building a competitive and sustainable economy Whilst taking into account the legal framework Member States have to particularly focus on the local and regional level where eg poorly developed infrastructure impedes the realization of integration projects

Keywords

National Contact Points on Integration European Fund for the Integration of third-Country Nationals (EIF) integration projects community actions

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

Links for further research

1 Introductory material

European Commission about Immigration

European Commision about Integration

Legislative framework for migration

2 Official sources

List of integration projects throughout the European Union

Information about the European Fund for the Integration of non-EU immigrants (EIF)

Information about the Europe 2020 Strategy

Information about the Stockholm Programme

European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals

3 Newspaper articles and other materials

Viewpoints What should be done about integration

The ins and the outs Immigration and growing inequality are making the Nordics less homogeneous

Angela Merkel declares death of German multiculturalism

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

3 Committee on Development ndash DEVE

Chairpersons Saumlde Kanervisto (FI) Hammu Varjonen (FI)

Dead aid Combined the European Commission and the EU Member States constitute the single largest donor of development aid but the effectiveness of development aid is frequently questioned How should the EU make sure that European efforts secure a better economic and political future for the developing world

Link to the Video Presentation

Overview

Development aid is a long-term action for eradicating poverty and raising the standard of living in developing countries The European Union (EU) along with its Member States spent 531 billion euros1 in official development aid (ODA)2 in 2011 However it has been argued that this funding has not reached its goal ndash in some cases it might even have been an obstacle to development

A heated discussion has erected about whether development aid is actually beneficial or rather a burden to developing countries Case in point Zambian economist Dambisa Moyo has suggested that international development aid is the primary reason for African countries not being able to eradicate the poverty of their continent This is alarming as Africa currently receives a lionrsquos share of European ODA Moyo argues that development aid should be abandoned completely to make way for a more market-based solution

Development aid is often the main revenue in the developing countriesrsquo budgets The aid should aim at sustainable eco-nomic growth but if development aid is rather used to provide basic necessities instead of long-term investments the main purpose is not fulfilled Developing countries have become dependent on aid which makes it even more difficult to gain economic growth Furthermore the danger of corruption increases as the flow of money provides tempting opportu-nities for embezzlement

Even though action has been taken in order to make the development aid more effective enormous defects still occur Inefficiency is not only caused by corruption bad governance and aid dependency There are severe issues originating from the donorsrsquo side too Analysts estimate that a great amount of aid is ldquophantom aidrdquo which includes tied aid and vast transaction costs

Extreme criticisms aside the general discussion on development aid circles around whether direct budget support or project-based funding should be favoured Whereas budget support is considered to support the structures of govern-ance it is harder to monitor On the other hand project-funding is easier to monitor but it may have less impact in long-term

The European Union remains committed to giving development aid and it is constantly working to raise its ODA level in accordance with the United Nationsrsquo (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)3 The EUrsquos common development goals are set in the 2005 European Consensus on Development4 The main aims are to promote democracy human rights good governance and security as well as economic growth

Acting under the control of the European Commission EuropeAid5 is in charge of the EUrsquos development policy In 2011

1 httpdevelopmentdonoratlaseuinfographicsGlobal20Trends20-20Infographic20-202012pdf 2 httpwwwoecdorgdacstatsofficialdevelopmentassistancedefinitionandcoveragehtml

3 httpwwwunorgmillenniumgoals 4 httpeceuropaeueuropeaidwhatdevelopment-policieseuropean-consensus

5 httpeceuropaeueuropeaidindex_enhtm

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

the Commission issued the Agenda for Change6 which sets a more strategic approach to eradicating poverty including a more targeted allocation of funding

Many questions remain to be discussed during committee work Should development aid concentrate more on direct budget support or project-based funding What are the most effective ways to organise funding and should adjustments be made to current development aid systems Or should traditional development aid be abolished altogether in favour of a more efficient system

Keywords

Dead aid aid effectiveness aid dependency Agenda for Change budget support project aid phantom aid

Links for further research

1 Introductory material

The Wikipedia article on aid effectiveness

Video by Oxfam International Does aid work

Video ABC documentary criticising development aid

2 Official sources

Agenda for Change promotion video

Facts and figures of EU development aid

OECD website on aid effectiveness

Oxfam International 21st century aid

3 Newspaper articles and other materials

The Wall Street Journal Why Foreign Aid Is Hurting Africa

The Guardian on Pool development aid

Development aid news by The Guardian

6 httpeceuropaeueuropeaidnewsagenda_for_change_enhtm

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

4 Committee on Industry Research and Energy ndash ITRE

Chairpersons Ana Viitanen (FI) Henok Ghebrenigus (NL)

The post-Fukushima Europe with the challenge of balancing environmental sustainability security and the need for cheap energy what role should nuclear energy play in the EU Member Statesrsquo energy strategies

Overview

The issue of nuclear energy brings about a larger question that of an integrated European energy market On November 15 2012 the European Commission published a report on the current state of the Internal Energy Market which is to be completed by 2014 At the moment Member States are largely responsible for supplying their own energy demands a strategy which is less competitive and productive than the proposed EU-wide energy market By creating a common EU stance on energy production we will be able to face key issues such as dependency on foreign oil and gas sustainability and cost-effectiveness However if we are determined to create a market that supplies sustainable and cheap energy for the EU what role must nuclear energy play

The kind of nuclear reaction that is currently used for electricity generation is known as nuclear fission Nuclear energy currently accounts for 6 of global energy production a figure rising to 285 in the European Union However the role of nuclear energy varies largely between Member States with figures as high as 76 of total electricity generation in France On the other extreme electricity generation in Malta and Cyprus is based almost entirely on oil

Furthermore nuclear energy is an extremely controversial topic Nuclear catastrophes receive extensive media cover-age most recently in the case of Fukushima Considering that Japan is a developed country with the sufficient means to maintain safety checks on its nuclear facilities nuclear catastrophes seem extremely hard to avoid Also governments are wary of the potential for terrorist attacks on nuclear plants which could prove extremely severe However the danger of nuclear energy is not limited to discrete catastrophic moments seeing as nuclear power plants produce high-level nuclear waste the radioactivity of which poses a threat to life Currently there is no method for re-cycling or re-using nuclear waste which means that it must be stored indefinitely in secure facilities which can often prove costly Further-more radioactive waste can pose a serious problem to future generations who will in turn be responsible for its storage

When considering the adverse effects of nuclear fission it would seem obvious that it needs to be phased out as a method of energy production in the EU however is there currently a better alternative Diminishing the role of nuclear energy would mean increasing Europersquos dependency on foreign energy resources especially oil which can have serious consequences on the economy and population Though the EU is a global leader in the use and development of renewable energy such as solar wind and hydroelectric power currently these resources only contribute 18 of the EUrsquos energy production

Another alternative to nuclear fission is known as nuclear fusion a process which could potentially be much more ef-fective than nuclear fission without producing any form on radioactive waste Research into this field is currently spear-headed by the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) a project largely funded by the EUrsquos Fusion for Energy (F4E) programme and which plans to build a fusion reactor in the south of France Though nuclear fusion seems promising it is not currently viable for energy production

Thus taking into account the current challenges which the EU is faced with what is the best road towards a future in which energy will be available affordable and sustainable

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

Keywords

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster EU Internal Energy Market European Environmental Agency (EEA) ITER Fusion for Energy (F4E)

Links for further research

1 Introductory material

Wikipedia article on nuclear fission power

Fusion for Energyrsquos brochure on Nuclear Fusion

2 Official sources

European Commissionrsquos Internal Energy Market communication

European Energy 2020 Strategy

3 Newspaper articles and other materials

The Guardian on Fukushima

New Scientistrsquos special report The Fallout from Fukushima

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

Keywords

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster EU Internal Energy Market European Environmental Agency (EEA) ITER Fusion for Energy (F4E)

Links for further research

1 Introductory material

Wikipedia article on nuclear fission power

Fusion for Energyrsquos brochure on Nuclear Fusion

2 Official sources

European Commissionrsquos Internal Energy Market communication

European Energy 2020 Strategy

3 Newspaper articles and other materials

The Guardian on Fukushima

New Scientistrsquos special report The Fallout from Fukushima

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

5 Committee on Regional Development ndash REGI

Chairpersons Hans Naumlsman (FI) Jenni Roumlynauml (FI)

Reviewing the Catalan Scottish and Flemish experience with breakaway regions sending the EU into legally and po-litically unmapped territory what should be the EUrsquos stance towards secession movements within its borders and the potential of newly emerging states within EU territory

Overview

For many 911 is a date to be remembered as the day of sorrow in American history In Europe the date might have just recently gained a new stigma On September 11th a 400-km chain of people formed throughout the region of Catalonia in Northwestern Spain The protesters stood in favour of arranging a referendum to decide on the issue of Cataloniarsquos independence The people of Catalonia arenrsquot alone with these aspirations of independence Separatist movements thrive in other EU member states as well for example Scotland has arranged to hold a referendum in September 2014 on secession from the United Kingdom

Regions breaking apart and creating nations of their own is not new as a phenomenon Only ten years ago the EU member states the Czech Republic and Slovakia were a united nation Czechoslovakia Regions breaking away from current EU countries create extensive and complex problems The ideologies demands and amount of support for these separatist movements varies drastically Scots have long had a troubled relationship with the government in the south These issues have resurfaced recently and now calls for separation are coming from the Scots In Catalonia Spainrsquos most prosperous region economically the locals feel burdened and cheated by their rich contributions to federal governmentrsquos revenues and lack of repayment In Flanders Belgium where cultural and linguistic differences combined with economic issues rase the New Flemish alliance calling for the separation of the wealthier Flanders from the French-speaking Wal-lonia and securing EU membership

The reason separating from an EU country hasnrsquot been executed yet is mainly the the lack of clear legislation surround-ing the issue both on national and EU level In Catalonia the government in Madrid has deemed referendum as unconsti-tutional It also remains unclear whether a separated region could directly continue as an EU member state or whether it should go through the process of joining in and ensuring it meets the Copenhagen criteria Nations are usually built around a group of people share in common identifying with same language culture history etc building lsquonational identityrsquo A strong majority of Catalans consider their national identity being something else than Span-ish The same goes for Scotland Bearing this in mind the legislation becomes even more complex - what defines the different national identities Could the separation of eg Catalonia evoke a chain reaction causing several other breaka-ways especially now when the Eurozone crisis has tightened the relations of the areas with significant economic dispar-ity

Should the ideology of the separation movements affect the way the matter is handled by the EU Can Catalonia seceding with a referendum be handled the same way as Scotlandrsquos mutually agreed upon referendum What should be the EUrsquos stance towards newly seceded nations as potential member states

Keywords

Separatism Secessionism Self-determination Independence Autonomy EU-Membership

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

Links for further research

1 Introductory material

Regional independence Opening Pandorarsquos box

Is South Tyrol in northern Italy the next emerging separatist movement

The Catalan claim to independence may impact on the Scottish endeavour

2 Official sources

Conditions of EU membership

Joining the European Union explained

3 Newspaper articles and other materials

Arguments on independent Scotland

httprtcomop-edgescotland-independence-economic-advantage-186

httprtcomnewsspain-catalonia-independence-talks-886

httpsatwcomiccompart-of-the-gang

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

Links for further research

1 Introductory material

Regional independence Opening Pandorarsquos box

Is South Tyrol in northern Italy the next emerging separatist movement

The Catalan claim to independence may impact on the Scottish endeavour

2 Official sources

Conditions of EU membership

Joining the European Union explained

3 Newspaper articles and other materials

Arguments on independent Scotland

httprtcomop-edgescotland-independence-economic-advantage-186

httprtcomnewsspain-catalonia-independence-talks-886

httpsatwcomiccompart-of-the-gang

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

6 Committee on Security and Defence ndashSEDE

Chairpersons Maris Rutkis (LV) Sini Hyytiaumlinen (FI)

In the aftermath of the NSA spying scandal it has become clear that large-scale electronic surveillance is a global phe-nomenon How should the EU and its Member States respond to the threat foreign surveillance poses to information security of European organisations and citizens

Overview

Ever since June of 2013 when Edward Snowden started releasing what became perhaps the most significant leaks of government information in the history of the United States the world has been left in shock and awe by the ever-growing amount of revelations about the NSA and other agencies intruding the privacies of organisations businesses and civilians worldwide The most recent wave in the scandal involves allegations of outlandish breaches of privacy within Europe ndash the tapping of Angel Merkelrsquos phone the tracking of millions of phone calls in numerous countries and the revelations that EUrsquos very own intelligence services in Britain Germany France Spain Sweden and others all work closely with the NSA

The leaks have raised some legitimate concerns for Europeans regarding the strength of the information security of Eu-ropean institutions The documents Snowden revealed also contained information of agencies within the EU engaging in the same kind of spying endeavours as the NSA meaning that the issue at hand is much wider than merely the condemn-able actions of the NSA

These disclosures have also reignited the age-old debate of how much privacy should citizens give up in exchange for security Many do not believe the NSArsquos assurance that their work is authorised necessary and carried out in accordance with a strict legal framework At the same time others say that it is a necessary evil and the best practice of security is early prevention The agency itself claims it has thwarted 54 terrorist plots including 25 in Europe but it has yet to provide any evidence

All of this comes in the midst of the EU and the United States holding negotiations regarding the proposals of the larg-est bilateral free trade deal in history Without a shadow of a doubt the leaked documents have strained the relations between the two powers and some think it has put the deal itself in jeopardy

So as the United States Congress is weighing new legislative proposals that could limit some of the NSArsquos programs what steps can the EU take to ensure the provision of both individual right to privacy of European citizens and guarantee-ing their safety How much intrusion should be tolerated in pursuit of counter-terrorism and the prevention of crime Furthermore what stance should the EU take against the United States ndash does the disparaged trust rationalise an inde-pendent solely European solution or should Europe collaborate with the United States to reach common solutions

Keywords

NSA PRISM information security cyber-terrorism bilateral trade agreementLinks for further research

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

1 Introductory material

Wikipedia article on SMEs

The NSArsquos defence and a recap of the scandal

The reaction of European leaders and media

As many of the news surrounding the issue are ongoing the latest occurrences can be followed here

2 Official sources

The EU-US Trade Agreement

EUrsquos Cyber Security Strategy

The NSA

3 Newspaper articles and other materials

TED talk by Mikko Hypponen on the issue

US Secretary of state urges Europe to not give up on trade talks

The colonizing of the Internet and the extension of realpolitik

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ryUudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinkihttpwwweypfinlandorg ndash eypeypfinlandorg

1 Introductory material

Wikipedia article on SMEs

The NSArsquos defence and a recap of the scandal

The reaction of European leaders and media

As many of the news surrounding the issue are ongoing the latest occurrences can be followed here

2 Official sources

The EU-US Trade Agreement

EUrsquos Cyber Security Strategy

The NSA

3 Newspaper articles and other materials

TED talk by Mikko Hypponen on the issue

US Secretary of state urges Europe to not give up on trade talks

The colonizing of the Internet and the extension of realpolitik

Oulu 2013 ndash Regional Session of EYP Finland is supported by

European Youth Parliament Finland has received funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture and

the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 2013

European Youth Parliament Finland ndash EYP-Finland ry

Uudenmaankatu 15 A 5 00120 Helsinki

httpwwweypfinlandorg

eypeypfinlandorg