The European Youth Parliament (EYP) is a unique forum with the aim of involving young people to actively take part in Europe’s development.

Every year, thousands of people from over thirty different European countries gather to discuss global issues regardless of their ethnicity, religion or political affiliation. While developing their inter-personal, analytical and language skills the delegates are also introduced to the vast cultural diversity of Europe.

EYP’s events have formed cross-border networks among tens of thousands of young Europeans. Today, EYP is one of the largest European platforms for intercultural exchange as well as debate and education. EYP stands under the official patronage of Mr. Jerzy Buzek, the president of the European Parliament and Mr. Thorbjørn Jagland, the secretary general of the European Council.

The history of the organisation has been, and continues to be, a tremendous success. In 2008, EYP involved more than 20,000 young Europeans in over 80 regional, national and international events in the 33 national committees, acknowledging the organisation’s position as one of the main arenas of debate for European youth.

The ‘flagship’ events of the EYP are its annual three International Sessions. Each of these sessions brings together about 270 young people from 33 countries for 10 days in different European countries.

All EYP sessions follow a similar programme and are based on the same methodology:

• Firstly the participants divide into international committees and engage in a communication training called Teambuilding.

• In the following Committee Work the young delegates start working on a current issue of European politics and compose a joint resolution.

• Finally, the resolutions are debated in a parliamentary General Assembly following the model of the European Parliament in both English and French.

• Through a rich cultural programme with events such as Euroconcert, Eurovillage or the Country Presentations the participants become active and creative themselves and express themselves through music, acting and dance.