European Youth Parliament

Last weekend I attended the European Youth Parliament in Athlone. Teenagers from all over the country had come together for a weekend of debating, politics and collaboration. I was part of the committee on International Trade.

We got together on Friday in Athlone where we separated into our committees and began team building games. Within an hour, we knew each other's names. Next, we began to solve a number of puzzles together.

After a 7 hour sleep, we congregated again in the Marist College. We divided into our groups and began to work on our resolutions. Each person in my committee was given a couple of post-it notes and we were told to write down ideas we had that we could put in the resolution. We then discussed the pros and cons of each idea, and ruled a number out. In record time, after much deliberation and far too many tea breaks, we drafted our resolution. The topic of our resolution was about policies that the EU could implement to unite its citizens. It was a very broad topic, so our resolution encompassed solutions to a number of problems - we were proposing a flight card to offer discounts to those working/studying abroad, a standard VAT rate across member states, improved internet infrastructure in the EU and improved teaching of foreign languages.

After drafting the document, we had a vote on who would be presenting it before the General Assembly. I was chosen to make a speech describing the resolution and encouraging people to vote for it.

On Sunday, we gathered together in our suits at General Assembly. I had spent hours the night before writing my speech. Fueled by coffee, I was ready to debate, vote and reject a number of resolutions. I spoke rejecting a number of proposals made by different committees and made a speech against a resolution on cartels in Europe.

Then it was our turn - I had to make my speech. All of our team was on high alert - ready to reject the comments of other committees and encourage people to vote for our resolution. I must admit, much to our surprise - our resolution was passed through GA! We were ecstatic.

At six o'clock on Sunday it was time to go home. We sat through the emotional closing ceremony and exchanged goodbyes with the new friends we had made. It was a great experience. Meeting new people and working with them. I definitely feel that I have improved how I work in a team through attending the EYP. I can't wait to go back in March!