UNYP joins European Youth Parliament CZ

A platform to discuss current issues, a place to find friends for life, the perfect environment to develop yourself and to prepare for your future job and all kinds of life situations – these are just a few ways to describe the European Youth Parliament (EYP). EYP is hard to describe in a single phrase or sentence, because it encompasses many things. Everybody gains a different experience from EYP, but nobody who participates is left empty-handed.

If you want a description of EYP in objective facts, it is a non-governmental educational organisation, which was founded in 1987 in Fontainebleau, France. Today, it works in 40 different countries in and outside Europe, including the Czech Republic, and engages about 35 000 young people every year in its activities, which are mainly four-day conferences. EYP CZ holds at least three conferences a year, two Regional Selection Conferences, and one National Selection Conference.

This year, UNYP participated in both of the Regional Selection Conferences, which took place in Kutná Hora and České Budějovice. These three-day sessions each brought together about 160 young Europeans. About 90 students from the Czech Republic came to spend their weekend playing silly team-building games, getting to know the cultures of other regions and countries, and most importantly, voicing their opinions on current European issues and discussing them with their peers. Led by an experienced international team of officials, they got to talk about topics like sexual harassment in the workplace, safety on the Internet, or defending European borders. In the end, they presented the fruits of their discussions at the General Assembly.

But EYP is more than just discussions. It is an active way of learning that differs from what students experience at school. Whether they participate as delegates or officials, everyone can learn things from their role, from factual knowledge to soft skills like project management, communication, and teamwork – not to mention all the great friendships you create along the way. When you get home from EYP, you often feel emotional or strange, with normal life suddenly weirdly unsatisfying after your unusual experience.

The more people can benefit from this experience, the better. Therefore, EYP CZ is now offering UNYP students the chance to participate. If you wish to apply for any of our upcoming events, go to www.eyp.cz where you can find more information and also check us on Facebook  to keep up with all the news and opportunities!