About

The European Youth Parliament (EYP) is a unique youth organisation that gathers young people who share a passion for European politics and international exchange. Participants from 38 European countries take part in up to 120 EYP events each year. The aims of the EYP are to:

• Raise awareness for European issues, encourage active European citizenship and motivate students to get involved in European politics.
• Promote international understanding, intercultural dialogue and diversity of ideas and practices.
• Contribute to the personal skills development of the European youth.
• Provide a forum in which young people in Europe can express their own opinions without reverting to role play

International Sessions

The three International Sessions that take place every year are the largest events of the EYP, each gathering more than 270 young people from all over Europe. The participants of these sessions are selected by the National Committees. Once a year, EYP Switzerland organises a National Conference at which delegations from Swiss high schools are welcome to participate (for further information, see Participate). Based on their performance during the National Conference, several delegations are invited to participate in International and National Sessions all over Europe.

What do you do at an EYP session?

All EYP sessions follow a similar programme which consists of the following parts:

• Firstly the delegates are divided into committees with students from other delegations. Since they don’t know one another, they take part in Teambuilding.
• During Committee Work, the delegates start working on a current issue of European politics in their committees and compose a joint resolution.
• Following the model of parliaments, the resolutions are debated and voted upon during General Assembly.

All parts of an EYP Session are held in English and French, these being the official languages of the EYP. An evening programme rich in variety with events such as Swiss Village (all delegations bring food and drinks that represent their region) and many socialising occasions create a unique atmosphere that makes EYP more than a mere debating competition.

Who takes part in an EYP session?

The Delegates (students from the participating schools) are the group for whom the EYP session is organised. Expressing their own opinions, they seek compromise on their controversial committee topics during the discussions of Committee Work and defend their resolutions using their debating skills during General Assembly. The Chairpersons (‘Chairs’) guide the Delegates through Teambuilding and Committee Work to General Assembly. Being experienced EYP participants, they act as facilitators within the Committees. The Jury Team selects delegates at National Selection Conferences to go abroad. The Media Team Members produce posts, projects, and videos during the session and capture all the memorable moments of the session. Since the tight schedule of EYP events often leaves little time to reflect and absorb, the work of the MTMs helps to retain and create memories. The Organisers prepare the session in advance and are responsible for its smooth running. EYP sessions are organised by teams of committed young people. All of them work voluntarily in order to provide other students with the same positive EYP experience they themselves enjoyed.

In Switzerland, the European Youth Parliament is represented since 1996 with its own National Committee. EYP Switzerland organises Regional Sessions and a National Selection Conference every year, where the participating Delegations can qualify for other EYP sessions taking place all over Europe. We also host a round of Regional Sessions covering the different regions of Switzerland, taking place February – March. Additionally, through small-scale InSchool Sessions, we bring the European Youth Parliament to various schools in Switzerland, introducing parliamentary work to students.

In October 2016, EYP Switzerland has had the honour of hosting the 83rd International Session of the EYP in Laax GR, where over 300 participants from all over Europe gathered to discuss topics revolving around the theme “Young and Sustainable Ideas for a Sustainable Future”. On a national level, we also organise trainings for our members such our annual Members' Training Weekend and the Central European Training.

EYP Switzerland is an association in compliance with Articles 60ff. of the Swiss Civil Code. Its activities are independent of external political, commercial and financial interests, and all members contribute as volunteers only.

The daily affairs as well as the strategic planning lie in the hands of the Board of EYP Switzerland. Its members are elected on a yearly basis through the Bi-Annual General Meetings, the organisation’s bi-annual constitutive events for all members. Find more information under contact.

As our association is entirely volunteer-run, we depend on the support of public and private institutions. Find a list of our partners here.

Today the EYP is one of the largest platforms for political debate, intercultural encounters, political educational work and the exchange of ideas among young people in Europe. The EYP consists of a network of 38 European associations and organisations in which thousands of young people are active in a voluntary capacity. These National Committees, such as EYP Switzerland, are the backbone of EYP, introducing thousands of young people to our methodology and sessions every year. They also organise numerous other events of the EYP on a national or international level, such as Regional Sessions, National Sessions, EYP Days and International Forums.

At the international level, the EYP is governed by an international board, the Governing Body (GB). The Governing Body has six members elected by the National Committees and by the alumni of past International Sessions. One representative of the Schwarzkopf Foundation is also a part of it. The Governing Body is responsible for EYP policy making and executive decisions. It facilitates the general development of the EYP, guides its policies, and works on the quality assurance of International Sessions, as well as long term sustainability and protection of the whole organisation.

The National Committees are represented in the Board of National Committees (BNC), which submits policy proposals and advises the GB on all general matters.

The day-to-day business of the organisation is administered by the EYP Office located in Berlin. An Executive Director runs the office and is responsible for the supervision of the International Sessions according to the quality guidelines of the GB as well as for research, the start and fostering of international fundraising, the establishment and fostering of cooperation with other organisations, the contact with National Committees, and all other administrative matters. The current Executive Director of the EYP is Anya Suprunenko.

More information about the EYP on the international level can be found on this website.