The Daily Newspaper of EUROsimA 2012

Volume 8, Issue 2

27 April 2012

The most waited simulation EUROsimA 2012 started today with the very first speech of Prof. Özgehan Şenyuva. In his speech Mr. Şenyuva was very kind to share his favorite EUROsimA moment, his favorite Europe moment and his favorite movie. He has shared our enthusiasm to dress formally in a mocking way and said it is the few days that student overdress their professors. We must admit Mr. Şenyuva that we also love how we dress:) The speaker continued with his favorite Europe moment. Who doesn't have a favorite Europe moment? When he was studying in the University of Aberdeen in a debate a girl said him " I don't care how you do it in Europe?" . It was undoubtly surprising for a Turkish person to be called " european". He has confessed that he thought " wait for a minute but that's my line". He hasn't felt more European ever again in his life. Mr. Şenyuva observed that there are people who know who are Europe-ans but especially who are not Europeans. His favorite Europe film was " one day in Europe " which con-veys the message of " Europe is now and here". In his closing remarks he has inspired us by saying that " a united Europe was a dream and young people will carry this dream further." He advised that we should get ready for a future Europe but at the same time design and shape it. The second guest speaker who was given the floor was Nicolaj Helis, the Deputy Head of Mission of Den-mark to Turkey. His speech was structured on the EU- Turkey relations, their priorities during their EU presidency and how they see negotiations. He stated that Lisbon Treaty of 2009 answers a long time un-answered question which is also given voice to the USA by Kissinger as " If I want to call Europe who

Have a look at the opening ceremony and the mock session!

By Zeynep Azizoğlu & Mehmet Sabuncu

PAGE 2

should I call". Therefore, speaker appreciated the change in the framework of the conduct of presidency. Today, EU Action Service is responsible of carrying out many of the tasks that the presidency used to carry out. Mr. Helis mentioned that what we do in this Conference is mainly what takes places in this Action Service, also claimed that the biggest challenge that they have faced during their presidency was the debt crisis. The audience is informed that Denmark works with four main headlines which are a re-sponsible, green, safe and dynamic Europe. He further stated that Denmark supports Turkey's aim of EU membership if Turkey fulfills the criteria. Moreover he has expressed his belief in economic and social reforms in Turkey that are encouraged by the accession process. He concluded as increasing awareness on EU is what we are doing today and what should be supported by all sides, and interest in Europe is still vibrant and young people should be aware that they represent the future of the negotiations. The breath taking opening ceremony continued with the speech of Burak Erdemir who was also gradu-ated from METU. He stressed that from one perspective EU is going down the drain. Thus, Turkey's EU accession is not going very bright. Mr. Erdemir elucidated that the accession is mainly about the cam-paign issue, and since most of the negotiation chapters are politically blocked right now the process is not in its best time. The speaker complained about how EU member states still think Turkey is too big, too poor and too Muslim. Mr. Erdemir emphasized that the visa issue is one of the priorities of Turkey since 92% of Turkish people believes that EU has double standards about the visa usage. Mr. Erdemir asserted that anti-EU rhetoric is rising in Turkey correspondently to the anti-Turkey rhetoric in Europe. Moreover, the speaker justified the reason why Turkey still should be a part of EU under 5 headlines. Since EU represents highly standards ( like higher income, democracy, stability, human rights per cap-ita), and is a leverage of Turkish democratization Turkey should still be a part of EU. İn addition to this economic and commercial reasons, opportunities for youth, opportunities of single market ( free flow of goods, services and people) are also among the unregardable reasons why Turkey should still be optimis-tic about engaging with Europe. On the other hand, Mr. Erdemir has also stressed that EU also needs Turkey. According to OECD forecast, in 2050, Turkey will become the second largest economy in Europe. Mr. Erdemir says if Germany continues subsidizing falling economies maybe Turkey would be the first by 2050. We must admit that we also share the same hope with the honorable speaker. Mr. Erdemir contin-ued his speech by sharing his disappointment about the lack of political leadership in EU. He said that, politicians care about next elections, whereas leaders care about next generations. His speech is con-cluded with an inspiring quote: ' leadership is about disappointing your people in a level they can ab-sorb'. In the words of the Director General Levent Kızılbağlı the 'best opening ceremony of the best EUROsimA which has taken place with the presentations of Okyanus Akın and Feyza Sapçı has ended and after a delicious dinner under the beautiful weather in open air the participants are accompanied to the mock session followed by the first committee sessions. The mock debate started with the rules of procedure of the European parliament and continued with the topics that are going to be discussed in the committees of the Eurosima 2012. The briefing was held by The Academic Director Erman Aksut. Because of his unfortunate encounters with the microphones dur-ing the opening ceremony and the mock debate, Mr. Aksut gave a quick warning that he has serious is-sues with the microphones. The information in the briefing was short but full of information. I think that was why the committees had no questions about the procedure nor the subjects which means that the delegates understood everything (oh how hard working delegates they are...). After all of these, the house moved to the mock debate, which Mr. Erman Aksut and Ms. Esra Sergi took the honour of being a chair. If I have to describe the synergy of the crowd in a colour (I don't know why am I describing the mood in a colour either), that would be definitely gray and the reason is most of the people in the hall were thinking that the topics of the debate will be about current problems of the European Union. However in a sur-prising way, one of the delegates calling herself as delegation of France (chrysa) proposed the topic "Is blind date a dangerous act?". After that agenda topic proposition, the conference had an unbelievably col-ourful mood and more funny topics started to pop out. Like setting the agenda on, "Human Rights viola-tion conducted by Bayer Munich against Real Madrid." and in my opinion most of the participants are definitely has a huge place in their heart for Barcelona instead of Real Madrid. The reason why say that is because of the agenda was set on the topic states "Human rights violation against Barcelona con-ducted by Chelsea". During the speakers list all of the delegates were fascinating and active but there was ONE which rallied the whole conference hall and proved that he will be an awesome delegate in the future. The delegate named himself as "Delegation of Real Madrid" but we all know him as "Mr. Yahya Gulgec". During his speech he mentioned that it was the work of god which led the Chelsea to the victory. Not long later delegation of Levent claimed that they are in this session representing The Galatasaray S.K. and had a counter claim which states The "Professional" football player Sabri Sarioglu is a "thing" which is the work of god, not the Chelsea's victory . After few brilliant ideas like using Sabri as an artil-lery gun against possible alien attacks, the chairs end the session and give the participants a break in the name of preparing for their following committees.

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The day started with the opening ceremony. Okyanus

Akın, The Director of Public Relations and Delegate Affairs

introduced EUROsimA2012 and several people who are

involved with the European Union. One of the professors

of METU shared his memories and thoughts about the

conferences he attended. Then Mr. Helis came up to the

stage to give his speech. He was very kind and thoughtful

about not making us get bored. He talked about the im-

portance of this conference and how smart it is to make a

simulation of the European Union. Without stopping Mr.

Akın introduced the head of METUFPIRC to the floor. She

mentioned about how she came to the point she is now

and how these conferences are very important. The direc-

tor of the academic team, Erman Aksut came up to the

stage to talk about the committees. But there was a small

problem with his microphone, but the problem was solved

eventually. This problem made the crowd relax. He dis-

cussed about all 6 committees, gave us all the topics: the

historical and the daily topics. After he finished his speech

the room watched a video that Mr. Özgenç made. It con-

sists small videos of all committees. It was obvious that

everyone was dazzled by the video and it made everyone think about how big this conference is. At last

the director of the organization team, the guy who made everything work for this conference, Mr. Kızıl-

bağlı came to the stage to give his speech. He outlined the

important people who gave all their effort into making this

conference spotless. It’s when the conference officially

started. But this was just a start of the day. Director of

academic team Mr. Aksut had a problem with the micro-

phone once more during the mock session. I guess it’s not

meant for him and the microphone. Mr. Aksut informed us

about the EU and then told everyone the rules of proce-

dure. We were all bored at this time. After this the mock

debate started. The first moderated caucus was Chelsea

against Barcelona, even Torres scored. We all laughed a lot

to this subject. Then someone said what Fenerbahçe to Ga-

latasaray was wrong too. That wasn’t funny for me because

ı support Galatasaray. After a moment people tried to do

jokes about moderated caucus. But it started to be stupid

after a point. This is it for the day. It was a fun day. People

met people. A new and a better day awaits us.

A funny day

By Ahmet Gürbüz

PAGE 4

The conference began with the opening ceremony. The ceremony was introduced by Okyanus Akın. He

invited one of the academicians Özgehan Şenyuva to the stage. He was mention about group of people

who is in European? Who is Turkish? What kind of Europe do we live in? Following this speech, he

talked about a memory of his experience on a conference in EUROsimA 2012. Özgehan Şenyuva share

his own ideas with us. His thoughts were for the clothes to be formal and the people not to wear t-shirts

because it wouldn’t be appropriate. It may be tough for the girls like us to wear high heels everyday but ı

like this change. Following the ceremony, the director public relations and delegate affairs invited Aca-

demic Team director Erman Aksut. He mentioned about the aims of this conference and understanding

of each committees: European council, European parliament, general affairs council, foreign affairs coun-

cil, and justice and home affairs council, economic and financial affairs council. Then, he stated about

the general structure of the European Union, people who is in the union, information about the EU and

etc. He also talked about each committee, their historical and current topics and their purposes. One the

other hand, he mentioned about exchange problems and capital services. He mentioned about the or-

ganization team and academic team working so hard and trying to talk to the some delegates. We saw

that they all agree that this conference will be great. I want to mention about a problem that has oc-

curred during the conference when he was reading his speech he couldn’t talk for a while because of the

funny problem with the microphone. After his speech, the crowd watched a video that Adil Özenç made

this video about 250 delegates coming from their own countries and 6 committees that look and are bet-

ter than each other. I like it very much. I was impressed. Then, Levent Kızılbaglı came up to the stage.

When he is talking, ı gave all my attention to his accent, then ı realised that ı forgot to take notes. At the

mock session, Erman Aksut mentioned about a plan and he had a short summary about all committees

that include core points, core institutions, dress code, points, and motions. Thanks to Erman Aksut,

every delegate on the room gained a lot of information in the room. Even I was very enlightened by this

presentation. Following the mock session, we animated a session and we have a funny motion. They

talked football, but at the beginning of the session I couldn’t understand because I’m not interested. For

today, that’s all for me.

An impressive accent

By Tuğçe Balcı

PAGE 5

Opening ceremony of the EUROsimA 2012 was started with registration from 9 o’clock in KKM, while on

the other part participants of EUROsimA were chatting in small groups about recollections of Istanbul

Trip at 24-25 April. Some challenges such as high heel shoes, tight ties, hustle and bustle made people

thirsty and there wasn’t any “water” at KKM or even near around, all let people to live difficult moments.

Meanwhile, there were hosts and others in organization team who were going on their rehearsals in KKM

A hall. Participants were gotten into the hall in company with the Turkish desert “Pişmaniye”. With start,

first of all, Ozgehan Senyuva Vice Chairperson of department of IR in METU came to the stage and

pointed the way participants dress with ties, suits are fancier overdress than their professors. Then he

asked for delegates to get back to their usual t-shirt and jean the humorous way. He especially focused

on very common used question that “Who are Europeans?” Let it ask this way, “Who are not?”. Many of

Europeans answered it with “Turks not!” Ok then Who is?” That is worth to think on it. Danish Em-

bassy gave attention to the crucial role of EUROsimA which simulates foreign affairs basically what today

happens in Europe and the youth’s support to increase awareness of the EU-Turkey relations, to form

safe, green and dynamic Europe. Third speaker, Deputy of Under Secretary the EU Ministry, stated that

bad and wrong reputation of Turkey in Europe, Visa issue and finally the fact that the EU needs Turkey

as much as Turk does them. As what happen all day, Erman Aksut-general director of academic team-

had a microphone crisis, and then showed a video in order to give 6 different committees’ deadlines in

EUROsimA 2012. The final speaking was made by Levent Kızılbaglı who gave positive energy to guests by

his voice, accent and smile. Also, he made a long speech on EUROsimA’s diligent, full of action members

one by one. After his saying “Together anytime, anywhere and anyway!”, he just started the EUROsimA

days from 26 to 29 April. After Lunch, Our chairs Erman Aksut and Esra Sergi gave brief history of the

EU and necessary information and points of EUROsimA and its Rules and Procedures, during the mock

session. Mock Session passed really funny, thanks to our delegates entertaining motions. The most fa-

vourite one of them which made delegates laugh very much, is on Sabri Sarioglu.

A critique of the organization

By Sultan Erbaş

EUROsimA 2012 which is an annually held the EU simulation organization in Ankara, METU, has

started with an impressive opening ceremony with participation of the guests from many countries in the

host university, METU in this morning. There were also distinguished guests and they gave speeches about what they feel and what they think about EUROsimA. Özgehan Şenyuva, Vice Chairperson of de-

partment of IR at METU touched on the issue that the position of Turks in the eyes of European people

by telling his experiences when he was in France. Mr. Nikolaj Helis from Embassy of Denmark described

the aim of EUROsimA as increase awareness of the EU. The organization team of EUROsimA seemed so

excited because of achieving their goals finally. The president of the organization club, FPIRC(Foreign Pol-

icy and International Relations Club),Miss Esra Sergi mentioned about how EUROsimA improved itself in 5 years from her first attendance to 2012, today. After lunch break, mock session has started. There was

another microphone problem that head of the Academic team has faced. Erman Aksut pointed out the

core points on he EU ,its historical evolution and importance. Then, short information has been given by

chairs about how EUROsimA Works. For example the MUN term ‘resolution’ is named in EUROsimA as

‘communiqué’ ,he said .Then we passed to the discussion part .A female delegate with interesting hair-design motioned to set agenda ‘blind dates dangerous or not’ but most of the hands raised in favour of

the second delegate’s motion which is ‘Human rights violated by Chelsea against Barcelona. ’ A delegate

objected and said that it was not a violation; it is the fault of Barcelona. Another delegate, I think his

name was Yahya, said that 30 times Barcelona shouted but none of

them will be goal, so violation not by Chelsea, but God himself. ’I think

that was one of the funniest part of the session. Then, another motion was discussed: ‘transfer of Sabri from Galatasaray to Barcelona.’-by the

way Sabri is a Turkish football player famous for his unproportionate

shoots at goal- The delegate of ‘Umbrella’ stated that Sabri should not

transfer to any team instead, he should be used on another pur-

pose :prevent attacks coming from aliens. In my opinion, the funniest motion came after the delegate of ‘Umbrella’. A female delegate stated

that Sabri is the most handsome man. So, Spanish people are not psy-

chologically ready for Sabri. It was really funny the first day was over

with finishing of mock session. It was really good beginning.

PAGE 6

“Sabri”; man of the mock session

By Hande Kayma

By Ece Tataroğlu

A summary from the memorable first day

The conference began with welcoming and all. EUROsimA2012 has started with the speech of Özgehan Şenyuva in his speech she mentioned about importance of EUROsimA. When Mr. Helis had the floor, he

expressed his thoughts regarding the European Community, who would Europeans be and what Europe-

ans think about who are or aren’t Europeans. The Director of Public Relations and Delegate Affairs Ok-

yanus Akın has introduced EUROsimA. The general director of the academic team Erman Aksut has

stated the committees and the aims of each committee but actually he had a problem with the micro-phone. Following the opening ceremony the trailer of EUROsimA 2012 has been watched. The director of

multimedia Adil Özgün Özenç has created the trailer of EUROsimA 2012.Everyone watched it very care-

fully because it was very interesting. It was obvious that he worked hard for the trailer. Finally, the gen-

eral director of organization team Levent Kızılbağlı started his speech by thanking everyone who gave all

their efforts on EUROsimA. In the mock session Erman Aksut had again a problem with the microphone,

while he was giving his speech. Firstly, he announced the committee rooms. He gave details about com-mittees. He mentioned about the European Union. There were 3 main titles.

1) Core points on the European Union

2) Core Institutions: He stated what to do during sessions.

3) Core Points on the Rules of procedure.

Erman Aksut explained the differences from MUN conferences. For example instead of a resolution, com-muniqué/ Proposal/ communication is done. These are all same in structure but different in names. The

first motion was given by the delegate of France. The motion was if blind dates are dangerous or not. Af-

ter this people started to give motions about football, Chelsea, Barcelona and etc. This made the crowd to

relax about the conference and have fun. This is the summary of the day. Tomorrow awaits us.

One of the most anticipated student simulation in Turkey which is known as EUROsimA started in

METU today for the 8th time. After registration, we all went to Kemal Kurdas Conference Centre Hall A for

the opening ceremony of EUROsimA 2012. There were few complaints resulting from the limited sitting

options, but other than that, the ceremony was so professional. Our first speaker Ozgehan Senyuva

shared his opinions about “being European”. According to his experiences, people who live in Europe do

not have an exact definition of “European” even though they can easily identify who is not European. In

his enjoyable speech, Mr. Senyuva also mentioned the way EUROsimA participants dress. As an instruc-

tor in METU International Relations Department, he was also aware of the preparations we make for EU-

ROsimA: our preparation for committees and for being fashionable enough in these four days.

Second speaker Nicholaj Helis, Deputy Head of Mission from Denmark to the Republic of Turkey ex-

plained presidency time of Denmark in the EU and opinions of Denmark about Turkey's membership

process to the EU. Mr Helis stated that they will work in order to make this process as short as possible.

As the third speaker, Burak Erdenir -Deputy Undersecretary of Ministry of the EU Affairs- added the im-

portance of Turkey to the EU as well as importance of the Union to Turkey especially in visa issue which

takes young generations attention a lot.

After a lunch break, mock session started at 14:00 in which we all had fun while the honourable dele-

gates propose their motion such as “Are blind dates safe or dangerous?” “Is it a human right violation

conducted by Chelsea against FC Barcelona?” and “Transfer of Sabri Sarıoglu from Galatasaray to Real

Madrid”. For the final topic, a delegate stated that it is not possible because Spain is in economic crisis

and this transfer would cause further euro-crisis. Also another delegate in response to “umbrella dele-

gate” said Sabri is the most handsome football player and Spanish girls are not psychologically ready to

handle him. Sessions started after the one hour funny mock session.

An overview of the day

PAGE 7

By Merve Boz

EDITORIAL

MEMBERS OF

PRESS TEAM

DIRECTOR

Sibel DÜZ

REPORTERS

Zeynep AZİZOĞLU

Mehmet SABUNCU

Ahmet GÜRBÜZ

Tuğçe BALCI

Gülbaşak ÖZCAN

Sultan ERBAŞ

Merve BOZ

Begüm ÇELİKTUTAN

Ece TATAROĞLU

Hande KAYMA

PHOTOGRAPHER

Onur Çağdaş ARTANTAŞ

SOCIAL EVENT:

VENUE: “JAMES DEAN” AT

PARK AVENUE

TIME: 09.15 P.M. FROM

SUNSHINE / METU