Utrecht 2024
Embracing Unity in a Divided World: Utrecht as a Beacon of Collaboration
#UNC’24
Welcome to Utrecht 2024, the National Conference of EYP the Netherlands in 2024!
Words of welcome
Dear Delegates,
With the session almost here, it is my utmost pleasure to welcome you all. It’s exciting to know that so soon we will be able to share with you the results of our work and fully begin the academic process together. EYP has long stood for values such as free exchange of ideas, critical engagement with the reality and the bravery to change it – in Utrecht we aim to to honour this tradition while at the same time to build upon it and gift you a truly unforgettable and a truly unique experience. I encourage you to come to Utrecht with a fresh attitude, readiness to be surprised and willingness to work and cooperate – after all we all want to be there, which makes the event special and intentional if we only try.
I cannot wait to have an opportunity to talk to you all in person,
Kacper Max Lubiewski
President of Utrecht 2024
Dearest participants of Utrecht 2024,
It is my greatest pleasure to address you as the Editress of such a marvellous event as this one. Following the session theme: “Embracing Unity in a Divided World: Utrecht as a Beacon of Collaboration”, we were brought together, now, months ago, to prepare an event that would showcase the power of unity and youth and the endless possibilities that lie ahead of those who work and shine together.
While looking for my team, I looked for those who have a “heart of gold”, those who are kind and generous, and those who selflessly share their knowledge and talents with others. For me, honey yellow is the colour of positivity, prosperity and genuine happiness – and those are the “vibes”, that I wish for you, dear participants, to feel throughout Utrecht 2024! Think of problems as challenges, think of strangers as potential friends and think of yourselves as little green stems ready to grow under the May sun.
Be kind, enjoy, smile and have fun! We say it is just EYP when really we know how much more it truly is to all of us!
See you in Utrecht,
Mina Radojković
Editress of Utrecht 2024
Dear participants,
As the session approaches in just a few weeks, I cannot overstate just how excited I, and I am sure all the other officials are, to welcome you to Utrecht. Having been in EYP for quite a few years now, I can still remember my National Conference as a delegate quite well. It was a fun, hectic and at some points overwhelming experience that taught me a lot about myself. I am sure it will be a very similar experience for many of you.
As a Head of jury, I am in charge of the jury team. Our job at the session will be to select some of you to go to an International Session, but I really hope this will not be our only job. We really want to offer a chance to all of you to get feedback from us, to learn something about yourself. I also hope you realize that selection is not everything. Although going to an International Session is a wonderful experience, it is not the only way to continue in this organization, far from it. There are many different ways and roles you can take on in EYP, and go all across Europe to experience whatever this organization has to offer.
All the best,
Suzanne van Spijker
Head of Jury of Utrecht 2024
23-27 MAY
Thursday: Officials Training
Friday: Team Building
Saturday: Committee Work
Sunday: Committee Work
Monday: General Assembly
150 participants
The best delegations from the 4 Regional Conferences
Utrecht
Stayokay Utrecht
Schedule
Interested to find out what each day will look like? Click the link below to download the schedule!
Note: the schedule is still subject to change.
Media
Pictures, videos and media projects created by the Media Team, led by Mina Radojkovic
Sponsors
Session 2024 is supported by the following organisations:
Venues
Accommodation
Panel Debate
CMOJ
Teambuildig & Euroconcert
Teambuilding
Committee Work
General Assembly
Travel information
for international officials and participants
The Netherlands is one of the central rail and bus hubs of Western Europe. In addition, chronic delays at Schiphol Airport have resulted in additional travel time, both to and from the Netherlands. What may have been a four hour travel time (airport-flight-airport) might now be six or seven hours. At this travel time, bus and rail travel are more competitive time wise.
General information
The NS is the main provider of rail services within the Netherlands. Train travel within the Netherlands is the quickest and easiest way to get around, with frequent train services connecting all areas of the country. Information about train travel can be located from the Official NS App, or through the third-party 9292 app.
Tickets can be bought on the NS App, or at stations, where a €1 surcharge applies for printed tickets. It is also possible to purchase a travel card – called the OV Chipkaart – for €5 at these kiosks. Using the OV Chipkaart allows you to avail of discounts and avoid paying for surcharges.
When travelling in the Netherlands on NS services during non-peak times, it is possible to avail of a 40% discount when travelling with a subscription holder. This can be activated in the NS App (for registered cards) or at a kiosk through the ‘Joint Journey Discount’ or ‘Samenreiskorting’ option.
Rail
Utrecht is one of the most well connected cities in the Netherlands, with a wide variety of international connections through both Utrecht Centraal and nearby Amsterdam Centraal. The Eurostar has five daily trips between London and the Netherlands (3h 30), hourly Thalys services between Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, and Paris (2h 30), as well as high frequency Intercity Direct services between Belgium (Antwerp and Brussels) and Amsterdam (1h 30). There are also a number of ICE high speed connections between the Netherlands and German cities, including Cologne, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Nuremberg, and eight direct services a day to Berlin.
There are also Nightjet services – overnight rail connections between the Netherlands and other cities across Europe, including Vienna, Prague, Basel, and Zurich. These can be more costly, but may well be cheaper (and less stressful!) than flying.
Bus
If you’re coming from elsewhere in Europe, a bus connection may also be an easy and cheap travel option, especially for cities without direct rail service to Utrecht. Flixbus, the main international bus company, offers bus travel between Utrecht and cities in Northern France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. Do be aware of longer travel times compared to rail travel.
Air
Schiphol Airport is the main airport of the Netherlands, as one of the busiest airports in Europe with daily flights to dozens of European countries. There is a direct rail connection between Schiphol Airport and Utrecht Centraal, with direct connections every 10 minutes, and journeys lasting less than 15 minutes.
WARNING – Schiphol Airport has been experiencing severe security delays, upon both arrival and departure. It is recommended to get to Schiphol at least 3 hours before your flight to ensure sufficient time, especially if you have a tendency to get lost, if you’re checking in bags, or if you want additional buffer time.
Eindhoven Airport is the secondary airport of the Netherlands, mostly containing budget airline carriers, such as Ryanair and Wizz Airways. Destinations include Dublin, Vienna, Barcelona, Rome, Budapest, Bilbao, Riga, Sofia, and others.
There are also flights from The Hague Rotterdam Airport and London, Barcelona, Edinburgh, Lisbon and other seasonal destinations. These are fewer in number than flights to Schiphol or Eindhoven, but it is also worth researching.
Packing list
Essentials
- ID and/or passport
- Health insurance card
- €20 on card for committee dinner
- Money to spend on the (non-obligatory) non-alcoholic drinks and/or snacks during other Evening Programme events
- Reusable waterbottle and/or coffee cup
Clothing
- Casual clothing for Teambuilding (Friday)
- Smart casual clothing for Committee Work (Saturday & Sunday)
- Business formal clothing for General Assembly (Monday)
- Pyjamas
- Enough underwear/socks etc. for four days
- Shoes
Academics
- Research material & Topic Overviews for Committee Work (digitally available, preferably not printed)
- Pen, notebook, paper (the Oxford notebook from your Regional Conference maybe…)
- Laptop & charger if you have them
Personal
- Any (emergency) medication you may need
Please note: we are not allowed to provide you with any form of medication. This even includes coughing tablets or painkillers. If you think you may need these, please bring them yourself! - Toiletries
- Towel
- Phone & charger
- Lots of excitement and a good mood!
Academic Topic Overviews
With support of the President and Vice-Presidents, the Chairpersons of Utrecht 2024 have written extensive Academic Topic Overviews for their Committees. It is mandatory for all delegates to thoroughly study the paper, follow the links and answer the guiding questions in research of their own topic. If you want to further understand other committees’ resolutions, it is also recommended to explore the corresponding Topic Overview. Good luck with your academic preparation!
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AIDA
AI-venture: Artificial Intelligence (AI), with its most recent developments, has already brought numerous advantages in front of issues the global economy is fighting: ageing populations in advanced economies and low productivity in developing economies. From job displacement, to rising inequality and occupational health, AI appears to be menacing the stability of many jobs. How can…
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CULT
Crossroads of Europe: Utrecht has long stood as a meeting point for different European cultures, embodying the dynamic spirit of the continent. With Utrecht hosting a diverse population of residents, how can its traditional values and historical significance influence its role as a cultural hub nowadays, helping it shape its contemporary identity, foster the exchange…
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DEVE
Should I stay or should I go: The Netherlands and Utrecht specifically attract multiple local and international students every year because of their universities and facilities. However, with the increase in demand for housing, the price of rents is rising and the supply of houses is decreasing. Bearing in mind that students are vital for…
-
DROI
The EUropean Dream: With wars looming and spreading across the world causing many to seek safety and a better life in the EU, the new EU Asylum and Migration Pact seems to be doing the opposite by diminishing the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers, making it harder for them to access safety within the…
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ENVI
Flowing Forward: Despite the Water Framework Directive’s inception in 2000 with the aim of achieving good ecological and chemical status for European water bodies, 60% of EU water bodies failed to meet that target as of 2019. Keeping in mind the importance of a reliable and sustainable supply of water, how can the EU enhance…
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JURI
A few bad apples?: With some Member States, such as Germany, reporting the highest rates of youth criminality this decade and given that socio-economically disadvantaged young people get more frequently involved in violent and criminal activity than their peers, how can the EU seek to address the factors and causes of youth crime, and thus…
-
LIBE
New drugs, new problems: With the illegal drug market quickly developing, New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) have become an alarming issue in the EU, especially as knowledge about health risks associated with NPS is limited. Bearing in mind how these drugs may provide users with an easily accessible ‘legal high’, as new legislation on these NPS…
-
REGI
Teamwork makes the dream work: Interreg is a key EU-wide instrument promoting economic and social cross-border collaboration, aiming to reduce economic disparities, foster sustainability and consequently drive regional development. Considering newly arising challenges in Europe, what direction should Interreg take in Flanders-Netherlands and other regions to achieve its outlined goals and stay relevant to European…
Resolutions
With support of the President and Vice-Presidents, the Chairpersons of Utrecht 2024 have written extensive Academic Resolutions. If you want to further understand these resolutions, it is also recommended to explore the corresponding Topic Overviews. Good luck during the General Assembly!
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AIDA
AI-Venture: Artificial Intelligence (AI), with its most recent developments, has already brought numerous advantages in front of issues the global economy is fighting: ageing populations in advanced economies and low productivity in developing economies. From job displacement, to rising inequality and occupational health, AI appears to be menacing the stability of many jobs. How can…
-
CULT
Crossroads of Europe: Utrecht has long stood as a meeting point for different European cultures, embodying the dynamic spirit of the continent. With Utrecht hosting a diverse population of residents, how can its traditional values and historical significance influence its role as a cultural hub nowadays, helping it shape its contemporary identity, foster the exchange…
-
DEVE
Should I stay or should I go: The Netherlands and Utrecht specifically attract multiple local and international students every year because of their universities and facilities. However, with the increase in demand for housing, the price of rents is rising and the supply of houses is decreasing. Bearing in mind that students are vital for…
-
DROI
The EUropean Dream: With wars looming and spreading across the world causing many to seek safety and a better life in the EU, the new EU Asylum and Migration Pact seems to be doing the opposite by diminishing the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers, making it harder for them to access safety within the…
-
ENVI
Flowing Forward: Despite the Water Framework Directive’s inception in 2000 with the aim of achieving good ecological and chemical status for European water bodies, 60% of EU water bodies failed to meet that target as of 2019. Keeping in mind the importance of a reliable and sustainable supply of water, how can the EU enhance…
-
JURI
A few bad apples?: With some Member States, such as Germany, reporting the highest rates of youth criminality this decade and given that socio-economically disadvantaged young people get more frequently involved in violent and criminal activity than their peers, how can the EU seek to address the factors and causes of youth crime, and thus…
-
LIBE
New drugs, new problems: With the illegal drug market quickly developing, New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) have become an alarming issue in the EU, especially as knowledge about health risks associated with NPS is limited. Bearing in mind how these drugs may provide users with an easily accessible ‘legal high’, as new legislation on these NPS…
-
REGI
Teamwork makes the dream work: Interreg is a key EU-wide instrument promoting economic and social cross-border collaboration, aiming to reduce economic disparities, foster sustainability and consequently drive regional development. Considering newly arising challenges in Europe, what direction should Interreg take in Flanders-Netherlands and other regions to achieve its outlined goals and stay relevant to European…
Safety & Welfare
In the European Youth Parliament we work hard to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of all participants and volunteers. At all our conferences, there will be individuals committed to safety and welfare: trained Event Safe Persons (Vertrouwenspersonen) & licenced Emergency Response Officers (Bedrijfshulpverleners – BHV’ers).
Additionally, there is a National Safe Person for back-up and extensive Safety & Welfare policies on an international level.
Team
Utrecht 2024 is run by a group of dedicated volunteers. All are previous participants of the European Youth Parliament, from the Netherlands and abroad. Each team is responsible for a different aspect of the conference and led by an experienced member.
Head-Organisors
Sasuke Ikemizu
Lidewij Mes
The initiators and project managers of Utrecht 2024