In March, seven young people from the Aġenzija Żgħażagħ MEP Malta programme had the opportunity to participated in the 53rd International Model European Parliament session hosted by Austria online.
COMMITTEES
The event hosted ten committees to present concrete resolutions to tackle:
- gender equality,
- education,
- environment,
- international trade,
- security,
- and youth issues.
By the end of the four-day programme, the participants from 15 different countries voted in favour of seven resolutions and rejecting three.
During MEP, the participants had to join a specific committee and draft a resolution with youth from different countries. During this day-long task, the delegates had to push forward their country’s agendas while finding a compromise with others to produce resolutions that benefited all the EU citizens.
Young people who participated in previous international sessions chaired these committees. During this year’s edition, Hailey and Daniela acted as committee presidents.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The highlight for all the delegates is, of course, the General Assembly where all the delegations came together to vote for all ten proposed resolutions. Keeping in line with the EU parliament procedures, the young people
- Presented the resolutions,
- proposed changes,
- asked factual questions
- and participated in open debates to scrutinise the proposed resolutions
ACTIVITIES
The young people had:
- cultural evenings
- and a mock Eurovision contest.
By the end of the gruelling four-day programme, the young people were surely tired and looking forward to stepping away from their devices. Nevertheless, whether held in person or online, MEP seems to have a lasting impact on the participating young people.
MEP International sessions are held twice a year. Agenzija Zghazagh invites young people in post-secondary schools to apply. In fact, in her remark about the 53rd International MEP session, Hailey extended an invitation to those youth interested in debate, diplomacy, and EU relations and wanting to form friendships with like-minded young people to apply for the next MEP programme that will take place in October 2021.