ESPECIALLY YOUR PRESS

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2012

Brought to you by the EYP Cyprus National Committee

CONTENTS

1.6th National Session of EYP Cyprus 2012

2.Schools abroad

3.EYP Project in Schools

4.EYP Alumni in Sessions abroad

5.Advice on becoming an official abroad

6.EYP Cyprus Membership Policy & How to stay involved

7.Special Thanks

6TH NATIONAL SESSION OF EYP CYPRUS

by Arriana Yiallourides

• • •

The 6th National Session of EYP Cyprus was held between 31 August and 2 September at the Heritage School in Limassol. 96 delegates along with 50 officials from all over Cyprus and across Europe, gathered to experience what came to be an amazing session.

Day 1:The day started with the exciting arrival of the delegates, who were introduced with enthusiasm to the alien world of EYP by the session president, Chris Hall. The delegates’ eagerness and growing excitement was evident as they slowly began to get more into the first round of ‘Big Fat Pony’ which was our way of warmly welcoming them to the EYP Cyprus Family. Following some short introductions by the Board, the delegates were then guided by their lovely chairs and began the teambuilding. Through hundreds of name games across the school grounds, the delegates got to know their fellow committee members and together passed through spiderwebs and number crunches to achieve the ultimate goal of bonding. The day concluded with a hugely successful treasure hunt, which involved intense hugging, running and riddle-solving! With adrenaline pumping, the treasure hunt was followed by an amazing Hard-Rock theme party.

Day 2:The second day began with some team building, but by midday the delegates got down to business; what we like to call ‘Committee Work.’ Through heated debates, empowering discussions and the occasional energisers to lighten the mood, the delegates got their hands on their committee topics. Current, burning European issues were discussed and the eager delegates did their very best to identify the problems and find potential solutions.

The day continued with the much anticipated ‘EYP’s Got Talent,’ during which talented delegates and officials alike, got the chance to showcase their talents. This year, the range of performances was particularly impressive as the show ranged from Taekwondo demonstrations, stand-up comedy to amazing singing and dancing. To all who took part, congratulations! The day was concluded with yet another EYP party.

Day 3:On Saturday, the tireless delegates continued with Committee Work. Following what seemed like an endless debate, consensuses were reached and the resolutions were finalised. The day continued with “Discussing Europe,” an event where delegates got the chance to hear from three guest speakers, namely Ms.Niovi Georgiadou who addressed the topic of ‘Priorities of the Cyprus Presidency: Towards a Better Europe’, Mr.Panayiotis Theodossiou who talked about ‘Euro crisis: The meaning of solidarity in the eurozone’ and Ms.Marina Euthymiadou who introduced the topic of ‘European Year for Active Ageing & Solidarity between Generations,’ Following the three speeches, the delegates had the opportunity to engage in a fruitful discussion with the speakers and provide their own input and opinions concerning the issues raised. Overall, it was a great opportunity for the participants to familiarise themselves with some of the key topics on the agenda of the Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Day 4:General Assembly Day. The delegates gathered in the venue looking smart, following an exhausting night of writing speeches and preparing for what came to be a very exciting day. The Opening Ceremony began with speeches by Mr. Markopouliotis, the Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus. He was followed by Mrs Niki Papa, representative of the Ministry of Education and Dr Kouris, Director of the Heritage School, who addressed the delegates and officials before the session was declared officially open.After the speeches, the debates were in full swing. All resolutions were discussed with enthusiasm and passion with some very impressive speeches. The delegates showcased their debating skills and learned from constructive criticism made by other committees.Following the last round of open debate, the Closing Ceremony signaled the beginning of the end. The emotional speeches made by the President of the Session, the Head-Organisers, the Editors, as well as the EYP Cyprus PR Officer,Mikaela Kantor, who dedicated her speech to the National Committee President, Maria Iordanous brought the session to a moving finale. The closing ceremony was concluded by an entertaining video, prepared by the journo team. A video which brightened everyone’s smile as the 6th National Session came to a close. To the sound of John Lennon’s inspiring lyrics of ‘Imagine’ the delegates and officials said goodbye to an unforgettable National Session. By Arriana Yiallourides

By Arriana Yiallourides

SCHOOLS ABROADWe are very pleased to announce that the following schools have been selected to attend EYP Sessions abroad. We would like to congratulate them for being selected!

71st International Session of the European Youth Parliament in Amsterdam, 2-11 November, 2012:The English School Danielle Advani, Alexia Michaelidou, Flora Mavri, and Pascal English School Larnaca Charalambos Lappas, Margarita Samouridou, Eleni Costa

72nd International Session of the European Youth Parliament in Munich, 5-14 April, 2013:Falcon School Nicosia Eleana Demosthenous, Panayiotis Papakyprianou Timur Ikramov, and Heritage School Limassol Charlotte Martin, Stephanie Poulengeris, George Athanasiou

2nd International Forum of EYP-Europolis Belgium, Ghent, 6-13 April 2013:Xenion High School Tasos Kefalas, George Hadjipavlis, Pavlos Petrallis, and Ethnomartiras Kyprianou Lyceum Andriani Yiangou, Marios Yerou, Andreas Chrysostomou

International Forum on Human Rights- Nuremberg, Germany, December 4-8 2012Dasoupolis Lyceum Nicosia Alexandros Skourtis-Cabrerra, Anna Christina Saparilla, Christos Nicolaou, and GC School of Careers Andreas Malekkos, Stylianos Vrikkis, Elona Kronidou

The combined delegation of the GC School of Careers and the Dasoupolis Lyceum has been shortlisted for any other EYP forum that comes up during the academic year.

We would like to thank all delegates for your participation and for making this 6th National Session as special as it was!

by Panayiotis Ataou

• • •

Whilst all the delegates were being split up into their committees and began playing their teambuilding games, the teachers were also forming a committee of their own. The teachers’ committee had Helina Topouzi, Rena Kyriakides and Panayiotis Ataou to help them accomplish their own target of planning a project named “EYP in schools”. The idea behind the “EYP in schools” project is for EYP Cyprus to become more present in schools and to give more students around Cyprus the opportunity to enjoy a small experience of EYP.In addition, as Cyprus currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, this project will also help raise awareness in schools of the objectives of the Cyprus Presidency and the actions taken.

As a regular committee, the teachers also played the various teambuilding games such as: name games, ice-breakers, trust games and problem solvers. The amazing results of the teachers’ teambuilding was clearly demonstrated during their “EYP’s got talent” performance, as they sang the song which they had earlier jointly composed, outshining all other performances of the night!

Following their teambuilding, the teachers also commenced with their own committee work, where they

were divided into three groups who each discussed a separate topic. They focused on coming up with a plan for an event that could be organised within their schools to raise awareness of their respective topics. The discussions were very fruitful as the teachers thought of and also tackled all possible problems that they could face during the organisation of such an event. Moreover, the various kinds of events that could possibly be organised were also discussed and plenty of interesting ideas were brought to the table, such as the setting up of a number of workshop booths where different topics can be debated with the students. Following the completion of the group discussions, the teachers’ committee was

reunited and each group presented their ideas.

The results of this year’s teacher’s programme were very impressive and many schools have already begun the organisation of these events. Besides being highly productive, the teachers’ committee can also boast about being the most fun and efficient committee at the teambuilding games they played!

Overall, it was a very productive meeting, during which many issues were discussed and decisions were taken to improve the upcoming EYP Cyprus events, which we are all looking forward to with excitement.

THE BEST COMMITTEE OF THE 6TH NATIONAL SESSION OF EYP CYPRUS

THE TEACHERS

CYPRIOT DELEGATES AND OFFICIALS ABROAD

It has been a very active four months for Cypriot officials and delegates who seized the opportunity to attend either as officials or as delegates sessions across Europe. We are very pleased with the large number of EYPers who travelled to other European countries to experience EYP abroad and we strongly encourage each and every one of you, to apply and attend sessions outside Cyprus as well.

DELEGATES ABROAD:

Helena Pierides, Rifat Koseoglu and Umit Onan attended as delegates the 70th International Session of EYP in Tallinn, Estonia. The session’s theme was “Breaking Waves-Young Europeans on the waterfront.”

OFFICIALS IN SESSIONS ABROAD:

Maria Pashi attended the 2nd Iberian Forum in Spain and the 10th National Session of EYP Latvia as a chair.

Christos Panayi attended the 13th National Session of EYP Austria as a chair.

Valentina Mina presided the Odessa International Forum of EYP Ukraine.

Solonas Karoullas attended the 27th National Selection Conference of EYP Portugal as a journo.

Markos Merkouris will be attending as a chairperson,the National Session of EYP Romania in Oradea.

Mikaela Kantor will be chairing at the European Conference of Human Rights in Nuremberg as well as the Regional Session of EYP Sweden in Stockholm.

Arriana and Ioanna Yiallourides will be attending the 26th National Selection Conference of EYP Greece asChairpersons.

Ioanna Yiallourides will be attending the Connaught/Ulster Regional Session of EYP Ireland as a chair.

We are also very proud of three of our own EYP Cyprus alumni who have acquired very noteworthy positions in sessions abroad. We would like to congratulate Maria Pashi for being selected as a Chairperson in the 71st International Session of the European Youth Parliament in Amsterdam, as well as Panayiotis Ataou who will be presiding the Southern Regional Session in Hässleholm, where Pieris Christofi will also participate as a chairpeson. Lastly, Elina Mantralis who has been invited to Vice-Preside, the Regional Session of EYP Finland in Salo.

ADVICE ON BECOMING AN OFFICIAL ABROAD

by Maria Pashi

• • •

This goes out to all the members who have participated as an official (journo/chair) to any of the EYP Cyprus National Sessions. You now have the skills and the experience of an official so that you can apply to any of the sessions abroad. APPLY! EYP is not just about participating to the Cyprus National Sessions every year. In contrast, our national sessions are merely the starting point to your EYP life since it can offer you the knowledge and skills that you will need as an official for sessions abroad.

If you have any questions, anything at all, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help and we want you to prosper in your EYP carreer and show Europe the amazing Cypriots that we are.

TIPS ON HOW TO APPLY:Here are a few tips if you’re a first timer applying abroad:1. Go on wwww.eyp.org, check the calendar and pick 2-3 regional/national sessions with the dates that suit you. 2. Join any facebook groups concerning those sessions. 3. Check your emails regularly as EYP Cyprus sends you the call for officials’ application regularly. Once the call arrives: 4. APPLY

SOME USEFUL ADVICE:

• Start small. Do not apply to forums straight away; you need a few sessions of experience to attend those. Nationals are an excellent starting point. • Write a good application. Your application is a reflection of your character and your eagerness to work. Well written applications illustrate your good command of the English language, the way you communicate and how hard working you are. • Do not get discouraged if you are rejected. Keep your head high and try again. A few of our most amazing Cypriot EYPers were rejected three/four times before attending a national session abroad, but today you will find them as officials in International Sessions. – True story. • It’s good to know at least one official. Pick a session where you know at least one person. It’s always nice to have a familiar face among the 180 amazing strangers you just met.

EYP CYPRUS MEMBERSHIP POLICY

by Maria Pashi

•••

All delegates that participated at the National Session of EYP Cyprus are entitled to register as a member and become an EYP Cyprus Alumni.To register you must fill in the membership form and pay an annual membership fee of 15 Euros.

By being a member of EYP Cyprus, you will be on the EYP Cyprus mailing list and consequently you will be receiving regularly all information about EYP activities in other countries, the amazing newsletter with all our updates, as well as all the emails about upcoming EYP Cyprus events and how to apply.

In addition, it is required that you become a member in order to participate in any EYP Cyprus events, such as the Pre-selection days and the National Session. The same rule applies if you wish to attendthe Annual General Meeting to vote atthe elections for the EYP Cyprus Committee or if you wish to stand up for elections. – You must be a member!

You may register as a member at any point during the year; there is no deadline. However, all memberships end on December 31st of that year, regardless of which month registration took place. That is, regardless of whether you have registered as a member in January 2012 or November 2012, your membership will only last until December 31st 2012.

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER

• Email us at info@eypcyprus.com and we will send you the membership form.

• Fill it in and send it with 15 euro at:

European Youth Parliament Cyprus, PO Box 42253, 6532 Larnaca Cyprus

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

For all of you under the age of 18 who wish to become EYP Cyprus members, it is essential that you provide a parent/guardian signature in the form – this is clear on the form itself.

STAY INVOLVED!

The EYP Cyprus Committee is having a meeting towards the end of November. The Committee will begin the organising preparations for the next EYP Cyprus events which include the Annual General Assembly and the Pre-Selection Days. If you believe that there is anything that should be included in the meeting’s agenda or that should come into the Committee’s attention, do not hesitate to contact us by sending an email at info@eypcyprus.com

SPECIAL THANKS The 6th National Session, has been an amazing session to which a lot of effort and hard work was put in, with the aim to ensure that everyone who participated had an unforgettable time. For this, certain teams and people must be thanked for their contribution!

EYP Cyprus would like to thank:

Andreas Damtsas and Melissa Shukuroglou, along with the organisers team, who worked hard to ensure that every participant enjoyed themselves to the fullest.

Chris Hall, the session president and the chairs team for creating a positive and enthusiastic environment to ensure that the delegates would have an incredible first taste of the world of EYP.

Elina Mantralis and Teresa Stadler, and the jou r no team fo r p roduc ing a ve ry enlightening and creative newspaper and videos for all participants to enjoy throughout the session,

The teachers, for being so supportive and helpful before, during and after the session. We appreciate having such active teachers during the session and even more so for providing the National Committee with valuable feedback.

Lastly, the delegates, for their enthusiasm during the session and their hard work to produce solid resolutions. We really hope that you enjoyed your first EYP session and that you’ll stay involved in the years to come.