Resolution*Booklet*

Malmö*2013*

Programme

09:00 – 09:30 GA Preparation 09:30 – 09:40 Opening Ceremony 09:40 – 10:20 Committee on Development 10:20 – 11:00 Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality 11:00 – 11:40 Committee on Budget 11:40 to 12:30 Lunch 12:30 to 13:10 Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs 13:10 – 13:50 Committee on Employment and Social Affairs 13:50 – 14:10 Coffee Break 14:10 – 14:50 Committee on Human Rights 14:50 – 15:30 Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food

Safety 15:30 – 15:50 Coffee Break 15:50 – 17:00 Closing Ceremony

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT

The EU and the Mediterranean: With an ever-increasing number of people seeking refuge within the EU’s borders and recent humanitarian disasters before Lampedusa as well as the conditions in European refugee camps, what strategy should the EU adopt toward illegal immigration and

refugees?

Submitted by: Olivia Arnfalk (St Petri skola), Rasmus Arvidsson (Gymnasieskolan Spyken),

Sofie Lundgren (Bladins gymnasium), Malin Niska (Haganässkolan), Patricia Parker-Nielsen (Hässleholms Tekniska Skola), Max Robertsson (Åbyskolan), Fredrik Hultman (Chairperson, SE), Laura Pérez-Galdós (Chairperson, ES);

The European Youth Parliament Sweden,

A. Bearing in mind that following the Treaty of Dublin, immigrants seeking asylum in the European Union (EU) may only do so in their country of arrival,

B. Aware of the lack of an EU immigration distribution system due to differing geographical exposure of Member States,

C. Taking into consideration that Member States bordering the Mediterranean are severely affected by the recent negative economic development,

D. Alarmed by the current restrictive immigration policies forcing immigrants to enter the EU illegally,

E. Noting with deep regret that 25 000 immigrants have died trying to reach the EU by crossing the Mediterranean over the past 20 years1;

1. Suggests amending the Dublin system by introducing a European asylum application process to replace individual

Member States policies;

2. Further endorses the creation of an EU-wide immigration distribution system to allocate immigrants proportionally to Member States’ population and financial capacity;

3. Requests that asylum seekers are enabled to apply for EU asylum from non-EU countries;

4. Supports measures taken by the Eurosur2 and Frontex3 concerning strenghtening surveillance along the EU’s southern border.

1 According to the International Organisation for Migration 2 Common technical framework for setting up a European border surveillance system by interconnecting border 2 Common technical framework for setting up a European border surveillance system by interconnecting border surveillance systems at national level, improving the surveillance tools at EU level and creating an information-sharing environment for all authorities. 3 European Agency that promotes, co-ordinates and develops European border management in line with the EU Fundamental Rights Charter.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND GENDER

EQUALITY

With only 8,9 per cent women in executive board positions in Europe’s largest companies, what policy should the EU adopt on gender balance in European firms?

Submitted by: Mirjeta Bajrami (Olympiaskolan), Mohammed Dhyaaldain (Hässleholm tekniska

skolan), Vanessa Grundström (St: Petri), Joel Hallin (Gymnasieskolan Spyken), Hans-Christian Nilsson (Växjö Katedralskola), Jesper Thunström (Bladins Gymnasium), Willem Koelewijn (Vice-President, NL), Diāna Orlovska (Chairperson, LV).

The European Youth Parliament Sweden,

A. Alarmed by the fact that the EU average of female representation in executive board positions of large companies1 is currently 8,9 per cent, whilst proposals by the European Commission aimed for a 40 per cent presence of the underrepresented gender on companies’ boards,

B. Referring to statistical data proving that gender balance on the executive level in companies increases the profits,

C. Noting with regret that whilst 59 per cent of all higher educational institution graduates are female2, only 16,6 per cent of executive positions in Europe’s largest companies are held by women3,

D. Deeply disturbed by the fact that the average gender pay gap in the EU is 16 per cent4,

E. Deeply concerned by companies violating EU anti-discrimination law regarding gender, with special regards to women being questioned about their plans to have children during job interviews;

1. Calls upon Member States to gradually introduce a gender quota of 35 per cent for Europe’s large companies;

2. Recommends this quota be reached by an annual increase of at least 2 per cent, the current situation of each individual company being the reference point;

3. Urges Member States to tax companies that do not comply with the quota for an additional 2.5 per cent of their monthly revenue;

4. Endorses Member States to enforce stronger measures against companies that breach the EU anti-discrimination law during their job application process;

5. Encourages Member States to impose sanctions on companies that display large gaps between the wages of male and female employees in the same position;

1 Companies listed on stock exchanges in the EU's Member States with more than 250 employees and an annual worldwide turnover exceeding €50 million and non-listed companies. 2 Working Paper „The Quota-instrument: different approaches across Europe”, European Commission 3 Women and men in leadership positions in the European Union, 2013”, European Commission 4 The gender pay gap refers to the lower payment of women compared to their male counterparts in the same position.

6. Further invites Member States to establish a shared parental leave, split between respective parents, when applicable, with a minimum leave rate of 40 per cent for each parent.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET

With the European Union facing the biggest financial crisis since its foundation, is it an appropriate economic and social incentive to allocate 37 per cent of the EU’s budget to direct or indirect

payments to farmers and agricultural development? How should the European Union set its fiscal priorities over the coming years to achieve a fair distribution of its resources whilst still ensuring a

prospering economy in all sectors?

Submitted by: Johan Aronsson (Katedralskolan Växjö), Jonathan Ebbesson (Haganässkolan), Marcus Engvall (Malmö Borgarskola), Stella Hedlund (Gymnasieskolan Spyken), Fredrik Olsson (St Petri skola), John Como (Chairperson, SE), Marco Rossi (Chairperson, IT)

The European Youth Parliament Sweden,

A. Deeply concerned by the large share of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) resources being inefficiently invested in agricultural development,

B. Taking into consideration the unfair distribution of the CAP funds between:

i) small individually-owned and large industrial farms,

ii) western and eastern Member States,

iii) more and less agriculturally developed Member States,

C. Noting with regret the underdeveloped or antiquated infrastructure in certain regions of Europe and its negative impact on economic growth,

D. Recognising the economic importance of investments into research and development, despite the recent funding cuts to such initiatives,

E. Keeping in mind the effects of positive feedback1 between the economic performance of the European Union (EU) and its budget;

1. Supports the implementation of quarterly distributed, flexible funding, which will relieve the financial strain on rural

industries, in the light of variable seasonal and capital2 costs;

2. Approves the reorganisation of the “Agricultural markets” subheading of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to better represent the actual agricultural production of a Member State;

3. Recommends the establishment of additional agricultural co-operatives3 amongst independent farmers to increase efficiency and decrease costs, as to enable small farms to benefit from the same economies of scale4 as industrial producers;

1 Positive feedback in this case refers to increasing revenue of the EU budget as a consequence of economic growth, which can subsequently be further invested and may stimulate even more growth. However, an opposite development may also occur 2 Capital is any durable good used in production, in the case of agriculture, examples include tractors, harvesters, sowers. 3 Agricultural cooperatives are associations of small producers pooling resources and expertise for mutual benefit

4. Proposes a decrease of subsidies toward livestock farming, because of the low energy return5 and environmental concerns;

5. Calls for a renewed focus on the funding and the improvement of trans-European infrastructure and telecommunications, to ensure stable and equitable economic growth amongst Member States;

6. Urges to increase financing for important scientific initiatives such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), European Space Agency (ESA), European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and Horizon 2020, to secure technological, economic, social and cultural prosperity;

7. Endorses amendments to the 2014 budget heading “Smart and inclusive growth” that provide additional resources for entrepreneurial enterprises and key growth industries.

4 The term describes the cost advantages through efficiency increases, which businesses can obtain by increasing their quantity of production. 5 Energy return is a ratio that compares the energy output of a process with the energy inputs needed to power that process, e.g. an input of one kilojoule will produce 1.9 kj of cereal, but only 0.1 kj of chicken.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME

AFFAIRS

Despite the Roma people being the largest ethnic minority in Europe without any claims to sovereignty, they are Subjects to many stereotypes and discrimination. What steps should the EU

take to protect basic human rights and include them in the European society?

Submitted by: Nando Basic (Katedralskolan), Nicki Carnbrand Håkansson (Bladins Gymnasium), Erik Danielsson (Malmö Borgarskolan), Nora Fatih (Åbyskolan), Anja Fischer (DE), Jakob Premmert (Olympiaskolan), Amanda Urban Jensen (DK), Zuzana Holakovska (Vice-President, CZ); Gustaf Westin (Chairperson, SE);

The European Youth Parliament Sweden,

A. Deeply concerned by the Roma people’s limited access to:

i) education,

ii) employment,

iii) health care,

iv) housing and basic needs,

B. Aware of the Roma segregation from the rest of the population,

C. Alarmed by the insufficient implementation and enforcement of the: i) European Union (EU) Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 20201,

ii) Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

iii) European Convention on Human Rights,

D. Noting with deep concern that the poor living conditions of the Roma people increase the crime rate,

E. Observing the lack of representation of the interests of Roma people in the decision making processes, both in the EU and Member States,

F. Noting with regret that the Roma are often a target for xenophobic rhetoric by populist parties in Member States,

G. Expresses its appreciation for nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) providing regular accurate and reliable information on the reality of Roma people;

1. Encourages the establishment of protected housing projects in all Member States through the European Social Fund

(ESF)2 and European Regional Development Fund3;

1 A framework in which every Member State had to present a strategy for Roma inclusion or a set of policy measures within their social inclusion policy by 2012. 2 An EU fund aimed at supporting employment and economic and social cohesion in the member states. 3 An EU fund aimed at correcting the social and economical inbalances between the different regions of the EU.

2. Requests the allocation of funds within Member States in order to improve living conditions in segregated areas, based on statistics provided by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)4;

3. Calls for further development of municipal integration programmes aimed at overcoming stereotypes through activities involving ethnic minorities and the majority;

4. Urges Member States to work toward cross-cultural understanding within society through the inclusion of courses on the history and current state of ethnic minorities in educational curricula;

5. Demands the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws by Member States, in accordance with their obligations5, as outlined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights;

6. Calls upon the European Commission to increase ESF funding of NGOs pursuing activities amongst Roma;

7. Further requests that Member States provide the necessary materials for homeschooling for nomadic Roma people in order to adapt education to their lifestyle;

8. Calls upon local decision-makers to consult NGOs when processing legislation involving or affecting Roma.

4 An EU agency tasked with collecting and analysing information on the fundamental rights listed in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. 5 Under the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights, Member States have the obligation to prevent any form of discrimination based on, amongst others, ethnic origin.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

The European labour market: whilst in some countries the employers’ demand for employees is not met, in others the youth unemployment is amounting to up to 60%. What measures should the EU

take in order to ensure the employability of the youth and functioning of the labour market? Submitted by: Johanna Backman (Malmö Borgarskola), Fredrik Biesèrt (Haganässkolan

Älmhult), Anton Harrysson (Katedralskolan Växjö), Sofie Pedersen (DK), Alexander Stimose (S:t Petri), Andrzej Daniluk (Chaiperson, PL), Beatrice Reichel (Chairperson, SE);

The European Youth Parliament Sweden,

A. Realising that labour mobility decreases the asymmetrical distribution of skilled labour and unemployed workers across Europe,

B. Recognising that labour mobility in the European Union (EU) is limited by non-legislative barriers such as language and culture,

C. Noting with regret that there is no common methodological approach to the collection of migration data across the EU and that this decreases the level of knowledge of labour mobility across Europe,

D. Noting with deep concern that 55 per cent of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)1 in Europe leave the market in their first five years of existence,

E. Recalling that cyclical unemployment2 causes high worker turnover3 and thereby prevents job security,

F. Notes that the Youth Guarantee4 is not an alternative to long-term European action to address the cyclical nature of unemployment;

1. Reaffirms that the EU is a fully integrated labour market, which must promote labour mobility in order to tackle the

asymmetric distribution of skilled labour and unemployed workers;

2. Encourages the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training5 (CEDEFOP) to collaborate with Member States in order to develop English and third-language vocational training programmes;

3. Calls upon the European Commission to create a common data collection method for intra-European migration in order to:

a) improve the understanding of labour mobility trends in Europe; 1Small and medium sized enterprises are businesses that employ less than 250 people and have an annual turnover of €50 million or less. 2Cyclical unemployment is the result of businesses not having enough labour demand to employ all job applicants. The lack of employer demand comes from decreased spending and consumption in the overall economy. 3Worker turnover is the process of replacing one worker with another for any reason. 4The ‘Youth Guarantee’ is an EU initiative whereby €4 billion in aid are put towards ensuring that young people are employed or in further education 4 months after leaving school. 5The European Centre for Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) is an agency set up to aid the Commission and Council by sharing relevant know-how and ideas. However, the mandate of CEDEFOP makes clear that it is ultimately the Member States’ responsibility to implement policy on vocational training.

b) allow the European Employment Observatory (EEO)6 to produce accurate reports and recommendations;

4. Recommends the European Commission to allocate a greater portion of the European Social Fund7 (ESF) toward supporting young entrepreneurs whose companies have demonstrated growth potential.

6The European Employment Observatory provides information, comparative research and evaluation on employment policies and labour market trends in 33 countries. 7The European Social Fund provides financial assistance to improving human capital in Europe. It currently has €30 billion not yet allocated to projects for 2007-13.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

LGBT rights in Russia. The approaching Olympic Winter Games in Sotchi have put the allegations of increasing legal and social discrimination of LGBT people in Russia in the limelight. What stance

should the European Union assume towards Russia and the Olympic Winter Games, considering human rights as well as the importance of the EU-Russia relations and the ideals of the Olympic

Games?

Submitted by: Saga Cornelius (Olympiaskolan), Alice Hultqvist (Gymnasieskolan Spyken), Katrine Panch Schaldemann Jensen (DK), Karin Parolin (Hässleholms Tekniska Skola), Madeleine Roth (Malmö Borgarskola), Ebba de Val (Åbyskolan, Klippan), Marko Fischer (President, DE/IT), William McNeil (Chairperson, UK);

The European Youth Parliament Sweden,

A. Deeply alarmed that 74 per cent of Russians believe that members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community should be excluded from equal rights, which to a large extent stems from a lack of education,

B. Aware that Olympic Games have previously been hosted in countries with criticised human rights records without creating a lasting dialogue about the ethical dimensions of the European Union’s (EU) participation in the Games, considering the recent 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China,

C. Recognising that some Member States strongly depend on Russian fossil fuel supplies, whilst the Russian Federation can rely on growing demand in Asian markets,

D. Noting with deep concern that breaches of LGBT rights are often considered of minor importance compared to racial prejudices across the world,

E. Emphasising that the Russian Federation, as a member of the Council of Europe, is a signatory state of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation,

F. Observing the positive development of relations between certain Member States and the Russian Federation since the Cold War and affirming the importance of maintaining these in the future;

1. Encourages participating athletes and other official representatives to use the Sotchi Winter Olympics as a medium

to inform adult Russian citizens of non-heterosexual orientations and the LGBT community by raising the matter publicly;

2. Further requests Member States to employ conditional participation based on:

a) Russian adherence to its human rights obligations toward the LGBT community,

b) guaranteeing the freedom of expression,

c) lifting censorship during the Games;

3. Recommends co-operation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to endorse the selection of host countries upholding desired human rights standards;

4. Calls for a gradual decrease of fossil fuel reliance on Russia by further encouraging European energy self-sufficiency;

5. Supports the use of social media campaigns to target young people in order to emphasise the gravity of LGBT discrimination both in Russia and across the world;

6. Urges Member States to take action by:

a) spreading information amongst the Russian public concerning domestic breaches of human rights,

b) simplifying the process of reporting human rights to the Council of Europe and the ECHR;

7. Reaffirming that the EU and its Member States should pursue careful and considerate diplomatic relations with Russia, whilst declaring that the aforementioned measures constitute a reaction to Russian policies instead of a political threat.

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH AND

FOOD SAFETY

The never-ending battle against soft drugs: to legalise or to ban? What action can the EU take to effectively reduce soft drug-related crime and health risks?

Submitted by: Jonathan Bratthall-Tideman (Bladins Gymnasium), Arber Glamniki

(Olympiaskolan), Sofia Gustafsson (Haganässkolan), Wilmer Nilsson (Hässleholms Tekniska Skola), Jim Nylander (Åbyskolan), Annmarie Kiiskinen (Chairperson, FI), Felix Makarowski (Chairperson, SE);

The European Youth Parliament Sweden,

A. Seeking a common definition for the term “soft drugs”,

B. Recognising that there is a growing demand for soft drugs in Europe,

C. Believing that regulated soft drugs would be safer to use than the unknown black market merchandise, whose quality is often compromised to maximise profits,

D. Realising that legalisation of soft drug production, as well as consumption, will lead to:

i) tax profits,

ii) job opportunities,

iii) limitation of black market profits,

E. Further believing that prohibition of soft drugs puts an unnecessary burden on the criminal justice system,

F. Alarmed by the excessive use of violence by drug cartels, and how it affects people uninvolved,

G. Reaffirming the need to help drug addicts in the process of recovery,

H. Emphasising that addiction and its long term effects should be treated as medical issues, rather than as a criminal issues,

I. Keeping in mind that addiction can lead to social isolation and alienation,

J. Observing that the lack of objective information regarding soft drugs affects government policy and causes general public mistrust;

1. Recommends the creation of an annually updated drug classification system based on each drug’s effect on the

human body;

2. Calls for the legalisation of soft drugs;

3. Approves the establishment of a free market for soft drugs, regulated by the EU;

4. Authorises Member States to issue sale permits for soft drugs to stores and restaurants in order to regulate the standard of drugs sold;

5. Expresses its hope that soft drug prices are to be competitive with black market rates;

6. Affirms equal legal standards to be applied to people under the influence of either soft drugs or alcohol;

7. Proclaims that the minimum age limit for both the purchase and consumption of soft drugs be set to eighteen;

8. Further recommends that people who commit a crime under the influence of soft drugs be sent to rehabilitation programmes as a part of their verdict;

9. Endorses that the monetary benefits of soft drug legalisation are to be used for:

a) health care,

b) rehabilitation,

c) research and spread of information on the effects of drug consumption;

10. Urges the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) to objectively inform the public about the potential risks of drug use.