Utrecht 2021

Schedule

All times are in Central European Time (CET)

Welcome from the Head Organisers

Dear all,

As the Head Organisers of Utrecht’21, we would like to wholeheartedly welcome you to this digital European Youth Parliament session! No matter if this is your first EYP-session or you already consider yourself as an experienced EYPer: we are very happy to have you here and hope that you will enjoy attending the session as much as we have enjoyed organising it. We have started working on Utrecht’21 in the April of 2020, and now, nine months later, we are excited to see how things are finally coming together. 

The session theme of Utrecht’21, Moving into a healthier future by advancing the cause of justice, is inspired by the famous Martin Luther King quote that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. The underlying idea of these words, namely that whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly, shall be the spirit of Utrecht’21. The fact that we have the opportunity to connect with young Europeans from all across the continent despite an ongoing pandemic highlights the interconnectedness of the world we live in. 

We hope that the session will let you discover the concepts of interconnectedness and justice from various perspectives, and that you indeed begin to feel connected with the people you meet, your team or committee, or even the EYP network as a whole.

But, most of all, we hope that you will enjoy the weekend and make the most of it. The organising team, in any case, is prepared to make this session as fun and inspiring as possible for you, and we are looking forward to (digitally) seeing your faces during various activities. 

See you soon!

Bente and Constanze

Welcome from the President

Dear all,

The beginning of the new decade was certainly a rough start. Especially over the holidays, we all experienced how strange it was to be apart from many people we care about. But 2020 has also brought people together over causes like social justice or the climate crisis. And in spite of all the obstacles, people have found ways to stay in touch and be sympathetic to each other’s lives.

This is especially true when we talk about Europe: By now, the existence of Euroscepticism and populism and the threat they pose to the European ideas of democracy, human rights and prosperity are well known. Now more than ever, it is important that the next generation of young Europeans come together, learn about each other and take action in shaping the future of this continent.

So let’s start the new year in this spirit: We won’t drift apart, but rather grow closer to one another. Utrecht 2021 is just one opportunity to make good on this New Year’s resolution. I am so looking forward to welcoming each and every one of you at our session!

All the best and see you very soon,

Yours,

Fabian A. Eiden

Welcome from the Editors

Dear Delegates and Officials of Utrecht’21,

With 2020 having been one of the most challenging years for all of us, it is a great pleasure and opportunity to start 2021 with an event that allows all of us to connect over the distance. We are thrilled to work alongside our Media Team Members to make this a unique and creative experience, whilst expanding the possibilities of a digital format.

EYP events have had a long history of connecting over borders and creating long-term friendships, no matter the obstacles. Sticking to that tradition, the format provides an environment in which everyone can easily connect with each other and find friends on the other side of the continent. Being more open than ever, this session provides a unique chance to bring together our lives inside and outside the EYP. With the start of a new year, this is also a possibility to take on new challenges, learn more about ourselves and add the fascinating factor of international friendships to our lives.

With that being said, we are very thrilled that you’re taking this chance and will join us on our virtual journey to Utrecht!

See you somewhere on the Internet!

Anniina & Lars

Editors of Utrecht 2021

Welcome from the Head of Jury

Dear participants of Utrecht 2021,

Welcome to the first Dutch session of this new year! On behalf of the jury team, we’re really looking forward to meeting you all and the fruitful discussions you will all contribute to! 

During the session, my team will be evaluating and selecting who will be invited to the National Selection Conference in Breda. It’s important to remember though, that despite whoever is selected, participating in Utrecht 2021 means you will automatically become part of EYP Netherlands and be able to join other sessions here and abroad. I’m sure you will very much enjoy the unique world of EYP, and make the most of the short time we have together. The most important things are that you have fun, make new friends, and learn new things! We’ll also be providing you with feedback so that you can grow from this experience and “move into a healthier future”. 

Thank you for participating in this session and excited to work with you!

All the best,

Jason