Tampere 2015 Preparation Kit

Tampere 2015 - 79th International
Session of the European Youth Parliament
Academic
preperation kit
Table of Contents
Welcoming Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Topics and explanatory paragraphs
Cluster I - Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Cluster II Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Cluster III Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
topic overviews and cluster infographs
Cluster 1
Afco . . . .
AFet . . . .
CULT . . . .
FEMM . . . .
LIBe . . . .
- Society
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. 11
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. 16
. 20
. 24
. 28
Cluster 11 - Environment
AGRI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ENVI I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ENVI II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TRAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 31
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. 37
. 42
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. 50
Cluster 111 - Economy

DEVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DROI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ECON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EMPL I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EMPL II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 55
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. 63
. 66
. 70
Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session
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welcoming message
Dear Delegates,
We, the Chairpersons of the 79th International Session of EYP, are excited! You hold in your hands
a bundle of keys. Take one, unlock the first door and explore your Topic Overview. Then let curiosity get the better of you and open the next door. Take a sneak peak, or better even: take a
deep breath and make a bold step forward. Immerse yourself in the topics that we are about to
conquer in Tampere. We will meet under the motto Ideas change minds. People the world.
And change we will!
We live in times of founders, entrepreneurs, startups and initiatives, seekers and supporters. You
will be given a voice and you will be asked for your contribution in shaping Europes future. Tampere will have a highly stimulating, safe environment for the development of your ideas. Tampere
will be your platform to grow, individually and within teams, to challenge yourselves and to become advocates of change. And then, for the first time at an International Session setting, you will
have the chance to turn your ideas into action, to complement the session impact with thoughtthrough follow-up projects in your communities, countries and Europe.
Both our world and our generation have a lot of work ahead of them. Our committees are in
the starting blocs to tackle some of the most exciting issues of our times. You wonder about the
miracles and threats of the digital age? Meet delegates of CULT to address cyber-bullying, people in LIBE taking the idea of privacy to the 21st century and visionaries of AFCO devising new
approaches to digital democratic participation. Did you find yourselves recently at a table debating how to enable men and women to fulfil their potential? Pull in the FEMM experts for a fresh
look on gender equality and societal expectations, explore with ECON how to financially educate
customers and work it out with EMPL I and II on how to solve youth unemployment and foster a
culture of entrepreneurship for a growth intensive Europe where citizens are the driving forces of
change.
Maybe you wonder about the role of cultural diplomacy in modern international relations and the
shaken EU neighbourhood or about the role of youth in the developing world? AFET and DEVE
are your go-to-guys. You feel the urge for people and companies to take responsibility in making
tomorrow better? Find AGRI to innovate on how to fight food waste, seek ENVI I to define a new
sustainable lifestyle and hunt DROI down to find opportunities for corporate social responsibility.
Or finally, you wonder how a future, green economy would look like? Look no further and link up
with ENVI II to fight climate change with energy efficient ideas, with TRAN to realise a carbon-free,
green and highly mobile transport area or with ITRE to install power plants at home.
Fifteen topics, a multitude of solutions waiting to be found. Open a lot of doors, be the curious
explorer. Check out all the Topic Overviews in your cluster. There are synergies to take advantage
of, links and inspiration: civil society, enterprises and governments have tried so many things in
the past. Why not learn and use the lessons across sectors, areas and issues? Why not aim for the
best solutions and projects we can?
We have compiled this Academic Preparation Kit to help you prepare for the exciting discussions
and plans ahead. When youve prepared, you can discuss so much more and in so much more
depth! And the follow-up of Tampere can be so meaningful - as in the motto, it can change the
world! Tampere can be a stimulating intellectual journey, it can be a can-do project session, it
can be so good - it can be what you make of it; go and prepare!
We hope you will enjoy the preparation! We, the Chairpersons, loved writing these Overviews for
you. We dream of a session to dream about. This is your key to Tampere, unlock all of its potential!
Yours,
Joanna Dreger
President - Tampere 2015 79th International Session of EYP
On behalf of the Chairsteam of Tampere 2015:
Koka, Isa, Julian, Karin-Liis, Konrad, Julia, Niall, Charlotta, Theodor, Saga, Joao, Fahad, Franzi, Dimitris and Maria.
CLUSTER 1 - SOCIETY
Committee on Constitutional Affairs - AFCO
Digital revolution and participatory democracy: Given the benefits and risks of the Digital Age, how
should we transform democratic participation, especially among young people?
Through digital technology people can communicate and connect instantaneously, thus allowing information and ideas to flow globally. However, its potential to address the worryingly little interest and engagement with politics is still largely untapped. Could the use of digital technology encourage young people
to have their say on public policy and advocate on social and political issues? The Committee is invited to
discuss how digital technology could be used to improve both engagement in the political process and the
alarmingly low voter turnout in European and national elections. The consequences of digitalisation, such
as user anonymity and the challenges of keeping older, less technologically proficient citizens at the heart
of political discourse, will also be considered.
Committee on Foreign Affairs - AFET

Cultural diplomacy and peoples diplomacy: How should new approaches to foreign affairs be used
to complement the European Neighbourhood Policy towards the EUs eastern neighbours?
Cultural and peoples diplomacy are new forms of engaging in international relations by appealing to the
states public rather than its institutions and politicians. Such diplomacy can include the establishment of
cultural institutions such as the Goethe Institute, or forms of dialogue with a foreign public. The EUs European Neighbourhood Policys (ENP) strategy for developing relations with neighbouring states usually includes negotiating Association Agreements with each countrys government in return for national reforms.
What are the pros and cons of this top-down approach to diplomacy? Would alternative strategies which
encourage individual citizens of foreign countries to engage with the values and cultures of the EU be more
effective? Could alternative diplomacy help the people in the street to put pressure on their government to
consider the EU as a preferred long-term strategic partner?
Committee on Culture and Education - CULT

The depressing reality of bullying in cyberspace: What should be done to combat the dark side of
the internet and the consequences of cyber-bullying?
Despite its many benefits, the internet has a dark side. It has become a platform where materials are frequently circulated solely to harass, with online and cyber services offering additional, often anonymous
channels for bullying and mobbing. The Committee is called on to contemplate the underlying challenges
that online services bring and the effects that cyber-bullying can have on the victims. Is this a matter of
personal responsibility or do social media service providers share responsibility for content posted on their
sites? Delegates will be encouraged to envision a framework where freedom of speech prevails, while the
risks of cyber-bullying and mobbing are mitigated and their outcomes are cared for and corrected by all
stakeholders.
Committee on Womens Rights and

Gender Equality - FEMM
Breaking the chains of societal gender expectations: What should be done to liberate new generations of men and women to define their individual roles in their family and workplace, independent
of gender stereotypes?
Previous generations have grown up with clear models as to the role of a man or woman: a breadwinner
and a stay-at-home-mum; the strong and the weak sex. These models have been criticised and eroded in
recent decades and yet still shape todays reality in the family, the workplace and society. The Committee
will address the causes and consequences of todays gender stereotypes and look for strategies and concrete actions that civil society and the youth can take to enable todays women and men to freely define
their roles, irrespective of such gender stereotypes, so that they can fully realise their individual potential.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and

Home Affairs - LIBE
Between personal data protection and corporate use of information on the internet: What does privacy mean in the 21st century and what actions need to be taken to implement it?
Internet services and the wider adoption of ICTs in the everyday lives of citizens have created a network society that uses available technology to communicate, travel, shop and work. Companies analyse and trade
their customers consumption and communication patterns and often build their business models upon
them. With the ubiquity of data collection and processing, a redefinition of the notion of privacy becomes
inevitable. How can citizens enjoy the conveniences of modern technology while maintaining control over
their personal data? The 20th century understanding included an initial right to consent to the use of ones
own data by third parties. The Committee is called on to discuss possible future notions of privacy, such as
the concept of post-privacy, and the ethical use of data. The implications of an interconnected society, the
impact it has on citizens ability to act freely and the channels through which reform can be achieved will
also be considered.
Cluster 11 - Environment
Committee on Agriculture and
Rural Development - AGRI
Over 100 million tonnes of food wasted every year in the EU: How can civil society inspire change
in food consumption patterns in order to reduce food waste and strengthen the sustainability of the
food system?
Food waste in the EU is expected to reach an alarming 126 million tonnes by 2020, as currently a staggering 50% of edible food is not being consumed. Wasting food has economic, environmental and ethical
consequences, representing unnecessary household expenditure and a substantial loss in natural resources. While all actors in the food chain play a role, the Committee will focus on civil society and discuss how
food consumption patterns can be influenced, and how social innovation can contribute to reducing food
waste. The Committee will look at strategies, actions and concrete projects that could make the way society
deals with food more efficient and sustainable, in particular at what can be done to minimise food waste
when buying, distributing and consuming.
Committee on Environment, Public Health and

Food Safety I - ENVI I
Renewable materials and green consumer choices: How should consumers be incentivised to shift
towards sustainable lifestyles both at home and when shopping?
Motivating consumers to choose products not only based on their utility but also on their impact on the
world around them is inherently difficult: why should consumers consider criteria that have no immediate
effect on them, such as recyclable packaging, especially since sustainably produced products are often
more costly? At the same time, producers might be more likely to adopt environmentally friendly practices,
if they knew these were more attractive to consumers. The Committee will have to deal with considerations such as: How do civil society and the state influence peoples consumption decisions? What methods
should be used in sustainable production and are they worth the associated costs of implementation and
possible trade-offs?

Food Safety II - ENVI II
Combatting climate change by saving energy: Which actions should be taken to increase energy
efficiency in the products we use, the houses we build and the services we consume?
While the debate on cleaner energy often centres on what mix of renewables should be used in energy
production, or whether nuclear should be a long-term option, much less focus goes to how efficiently energy is actually used once it is produced. The EU has already taken measures to phase out some inefficient
appliances, the most famous example being incandescent light bulbs. The Committee will investigate the
role of energy efficiency in the fight against climate change: How could energy audits of buildings, labelling of products on the basis of their energy efficiency and smart home applications be used? What is the
effect of additional regulations on energy consumption on European competitiveness or are there other
approaches and solutions that could deliver progress?
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy - ITRE

A renewable power plant in every home: What role should decentralised energy production play to
achieve sustainability, reliability and affordability in the energy mix of the future?
Microgeneration is the small-scale generation of heat and electric power by which individuals, businesses
and other stakeholders can produce their own energy, independently from the energy grid. Many environmentalists have identified small-scale green production of energy as an important means of producing
cleaner energy in the future. For instance, the use of solar panels or mini wind turbines offers great alternative energy sources to the conventional grid system. The Committee will have to question the usefulness of
such an approach; bearing in mind on the one hand potentially lost economies of scale in production and
expensive technology installation, and on the other the gains from energy independence, reduced transmission costs and insulation from unforeseen price fluctuations in the energy market.
Committee on Transport and Tourism - TRAN

Green mobility balancing between innovation, investment and user choice: What should be done
to put a brake on the ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector in the EU?
Transport contributes around 5% of the EUs GDP and directly employs 10 million people; however, it also
contributes around a quarter of the EUs total CO emissions. Multiple stakeholders believe in different
approaches. Some advocate for a reduction of the environmental impact of transport through innovation.
More research and development of new technologies would make the utilities that society currently uses
more resource-efficient, e.g. electric vehicles, advanced biofuels, drive efficiency. Others believe that lifestyle changes should be encouraged, whereby a modal shift away from individual transport modes towards
greener, public transit would be achieved. Where should the balance be struck? What modes of transport
should be encouraged? Which technologies should be financially supported? Which actors should be involved in this transport revolution and what should they do to encourage a more sustainable transport
sector?
Cluster 111 - Economy

Committee on Development - DEVE
2015 as the European Year of Development and the target year for the UN Millennium Development Goals: How to support the Least Developed Countries in reaching ambitious results regarding
their youth policy?
Europe has always expressed its support for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in their quest to modernise
their economic and political systems as well as developing their societies. With 2015 signalling a flagship
year for development and in light of the ambitious plan for young people manifested in the UNs Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Committee is invited to contemplate the role Europe can play in
assisting developing countries to realise the potential of their youth. Many LDC populations are dominated
by people under 25, with strong impacts on the society, its stability and outlook. How can Europes civil society as well as its democratic institutions support ambitious youth policies in LDCs? What should the aims
of such policies be and how can or should change in Europe be emulated in such countries?
Committee on Human Rights - DROI

What happens abroad stays abroad: How can companies be held legally and morally accountable
for their actions affecting the environment and workers in other parts of the world?
Globalisation has intensified cross-border activities of companies and internationalised our societies. Corporations operating in different countries may benefit from the differing regulatory standards between
those countries, as well as adopting corporate structures which limit their cross-border responsibility. Some
stakeholders have called for accountability policies to render corporations activities transparent and to cement their legal and moral responsibility in the fields of human rights, public health and environment. The
Committee is invited to discuss questions including: How do companies use different regulatory standards
and corporate structures to maximize profit and minimize responsibility, and to which extent are such structures and activities legitimate? How do low regulatory standards and such corporate practices affect society
and the environment? How can public institutions and civil society increase corporate accountability?
Committee on Economic and

Monetary Affairs - ECON
Financial illiteracy in times of increasing over-indebtedness of households: How can European citizens be empowered through financial education to leverage their own resources best?
While the level of over-indebtedness of households in Europe varies between Member States, the general
situation has deteriorated since the start of the financial crisis. The consequences for the affected households include reduced standard of living, social stigma and exclusion, deterioration of health and well-being as well as punitive sanctions for non-payment. Financial illiteracy exposes households to increased risk
of over-indebtedness, with uninformed choices of credit products pushing them deeper into debt spirals.
The Committee is invited to assess the need to address financial illiteracy in Europe and propose a curriculum targeting effective financial management and understanding of the financial system.
Committee on Employment and

Social Affairs I - EMPL I
Europe in need of jobs and growth: What should the role of start-up culture be in fostering a new
wave of entrepreneurship and stimulating economic development in Europe?
Entrepreneurial talent has traditionally been the driving force of job creation, with SMEs and start-ups offering innovations to society. The USA is well known for its entrepreneurial spirit, but Europe has its own success stories: Siemens, Rolls-Royce, Nokia and BASF have long outgrown their start-up beginnings. Todays
stars are Rovio, Spotify, Shazam, Prezi and Skype. However, less well-known companies have sprung up in
market domains other than that of ICTs: biotechnology, retail, transport, healthcare and more. What can
and should the role of start-ups be in the European economy? How can a favourable environment promote
innovation and start-ups, and further enable serial entrepreneurs or failed entrepreneurs to succeed (again)
in a sceptical society, and what should the role of society be in creating this start-up-friendly environment?
How can entrepreneurial breakthroughs be brought to life in the European market?

Social Affairs II - EMPL II
Staggering youth unemployment rates in stagnating European economies: What should be done to
increase young peoples chances on the labour market?
Youth unemployment in the EU averaged around 22% in 2014; Member States such as Greece, Ireland,
Italy, Spain and Croatia are faced with even higher averages of unemployment among the youth ranging
from 30% to 55%. The future of the labour market seems bleak as fewer people retire than young workers
attempting to join the workforce. The Committee is invited to discuss the stagnant situation of the labour
market in Europe and the ways in which the youth can be helped to find gainful employment. Which concrete projects could be devised to create more employment or to better match the needs of the labour
market? How can the European labour market be reshaped in order to become accessible and sustainable
and what role does the youth of Europe play in this project to revive its employment potential?
10
cluster I - society
cult
#stopthebully
afet
afco
#culturaldiplomacy
#participation
society
Peoples interest at heart
libe
#privacy
femm
#equality
From individual responsibilities to collective impacts
11
CLUSTER 1 - SOCIETY
Committee on constitutional Affairs - AFco
Digital revolution and participatory democracy: Given the benefits and risks of the
Digital Age, how should we transform democratic participation, especially among
young people?
Chairperson: Charlotta Lahnalahti (FI)
Man is a tool using animal. Without tools he is nothing. With tools he is all.
Thomas Carlyle
1. Why does it matter?

While technology has developed fast and significantly, politics have experienced less change in the last
century. The great potential of this technological development has not been fully used for the benefit of
promoting political participation; simultaneously, growing indifference in politics has been one of the
causes of low voter turnouts1 and passive political participation and activism2. Technological advances
have engaged youth in online activities, however their interest has not been greatly stimulated through
such channels for the political sphere, opposite to the elderly who traditionally are politically active, but
lack online skills3. This digital divide4 does not only exist between generations but also persists when it
comes to access to internet on a regional level.
2. Whos in play?
Democratic states need citizen participation for the functioning of the representative parliamentary system. Therefore, citizens and their decision on participation/non-participation play an important role. A
first institution to be largely affected is the parliament5, whose actions and agenda setting are greatly
influenced by the electorate. The official policies are done in collaboration with the parliament and when
citizens do not take part in political activities, the world around them changes to a direction defined by the
few who vote. NGOs as stakeholders wish to act for the part of the people who are left unheard or whose
opinions do not stand in line with current politics. Some NGOs have adopted technology in their advocacy is there a way to use technology more efficiently in politics?
1 Voter Turnout - 2014 European elections: Despite 2013 being dedicated as the The European Year of the Citizens,
where the EU citizens would be educated on their rights, the interest and voter turnout in the 2014 European Parliament elections reached an all-time low: 42.54%. (see Annex 1)
2 Political participation: an activity through which the public expresses opinions and ideally exerts influence regarding social decisions through more formal top-down means of politics, such as voting.
Political activism: The use of direct, often confrontational action, such as a demonstration or strike, in opposition to or
support of a cause less formal bottom-up means of politics, such as petitions, demonstrations, etc.
3 Williamson, A., (2010), p.7: The youth is more likely participate online than offline but most of the politically active
people online are between 55-64 years old.
4 Digital Divide in the EU - European Commission, Digital Agenda
5 Being either a national parliament or the supranational, European Parliament
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3. What has already been tried?

Two examples of initiatives to encourage political engagement and positively influence the voter turnout have been introduced:
Purpose, a collective where movements are created and activities are planned in order to tackle issues
where mass participation and collective action can unlock big change. They work together with world
leading organisations and developed technology to enhance their activities to help change the world
through collective action.
AEGEE European Students Forum, launched in June 2013 a new initiative oriented on increasing
youth participation in the upcoming European Parliament elections 20146. The AEGEE through youth
conventions and activities, tried to activate the youth in national and EU wide political activities, to
make informed choices and guide them further towards their dream of Europe.
4. Food for thought

Neither political participation, nor access to technology is equally distributed amongst the citizens: Young
people represent one of the least politically active groups in society, despite their dynamic online participation7. How can bottom-up movements engage the young more thoroughly in politics? How to use
technology to spread democracy? How to tackle the different aspects of the digital divide and its effects
on politics? How should the older generations be included in modern advocacy?
5. Keywords
Political participation, technological development, democracy, activism, digital divide, youth engagement,
online/offline, right to vote, technology as a tool, access to technology.
6. Useful links
Short video: Technology Bypassing Politics? - Michael Bhaskar
Casemajor, N., Couture, S., Delfin, M., Goerzen, M., Delfanti, A., (2015), Non-Participation in Digital
Media; toward a Framework of Mediated Political Action, Media, Culture & Society.
Glossary of the Democratic Deficit, (2014), European Commission - Summaries of EU Legislation /
Glossary.
Digital Agenda in the Europe 2020 Strategy, (2015), European Commission - Digital Agenda for Europe, A Europe 2020 Initiative.
Internet and Cloud Services - Statistics on the Use by Individuals, (2015), European Commission - Eurostat.
The European Citizens Initiative, (2015), European Commission.
6 AEGG Initiative
7 Hafner Fink, M., Oblak Crnic, T., (2014), Digital Citizenship as multiple political participation? Predictors of Digital
Political Participation in Slovenia, Teorija In Praksa let. 51, 6/2014.
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Estonian Internet Voting System, (2014), Estonian National Electoral Committee.

Runciman, D., (2014), Politics or technology which will save the world?, The Guardian.
Hafner Fink, M., Oblak Crnic, T., (2014), Digital Citizenship as multiple political participation? Predictors of Digital Political Participation in Slovenia, Teorija In Praksa let. 51, 6/2014.
What new power looks like? - Jeremy Heimans.
About, Purpose.
Read My Voice - The Digital Participation Summit (2013).
Williamson, A., (2010), Digital citizens and Democratic Participation - An analysis of how citizens participate online and connect with MPs and Parliament, Hansard Society.
Annex 1: Voter turnout of 2014 European Parliament Elections
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Annex 2: Internet use and frequency of use, 2014 (% of individuals)
Source: Eurostat
15
CLUSTER 1 - SOCIETY
Committee on Foreign Affairs - AFET
Cultural diplomacy and peoples diplomacy: How should new approaches to foreign
affairs be used to complement the European Neighbourhood Policy towards the EUs
eastern neighbours?
Chairperson: Fahad Saher (NL)

Conventional and cultural diplomacy are often two sides of the same coin. The latter is a type of public diplomacy and soft power that includes the exchange of ideas, information, art and other aspects of culture
among nations and peoples in order to foster mutual understanding.1 The purpose of cultural diplomacy
is the understanding of the institutions and nations ideals in an effort to build broad support for economic
and political goals. The effect the Beatles had in Russia during the Cold War is an example of how music
artists and their songs can become political2. The contribution of culture is especially significant in the
promotion of political reforms, democratisation, and a dialogue between the societies and cultural policy
makers of neighbouring countries; a common past and culture may thus serve for the benefit of maintaining preferable relations with the neighbourhood through preserving and promoting an intercultural
development of interests, mutual trust, and cultural polyphony.
2.
Whos in play?
Any person who interacts with different cultures facilitates a form of exchange, which can take place in
fields such as art, sports, literature, music, science, business and economy and beyond.
These issues by stakeholders from the artistic field, civil society, politics, diplomacy, and academia explore
the transformative role cultural and peoples diplomacy can play in society, and therefore highlight future
possibilities for its constructive use by civil society organisations, and government actors. On this basis,
cultural diplomacy is an intrinsic and necessary component of conventional diplomacy.
1 Cultural Diplomacy, Political Influence, and Integrated Strategy (2008), Strategic Influence: Public Diplomacy,
Counterpropaganda, and Political Warfare, ed. Michael J. Waller, Washington, DC: Institute of World Politics Press,
74.
2 Bratersky, A., (2012), Back in the USSR: the Beatles shaped a generation in Soviet Russia, The Telegraph, November 2012.
16

Across the Eastern Partnership, the EU funds bilateral programmes specifically dedicated to culture,
with many focussing on culture as an economic resource for tourism, or addressing human rights issues
and intercultural dialogue through culture.
The multilateral framework of the Eastern Partnership3 provides for cooperation activities and open
and free dialogue serving the objectives of the Partnership. Concrete bottom-up approaches4 for new
strategies are exemplified in programmes as Sharing History, Cultural Dialogues and Prosperity of Community.
3 Kratochvl, P, (2010), Evaluating the Multilateral Framework of the Eastern Partnership, Institute of International
Relations Prague, pp. 4-8.
4 Cf. ladder of participation for bottom-up approaches: participation in this context refers to ones engagement with
policy processes how that may affect one. There are degrees of participation, ranging from simply being told about
a policy process to having a say and being able to influence outcomes. One way to visualise this is as a ladder, where
each rung represents a greater degree of participation than the rung below.
17
4. Food for thought

Various conceptual flaws and incoherent implementations5 in the current ENP have been addressed by
European think tanks. The Committee on Foreign Affairs, hence, is called on to contemplate and tackle
key questions, including: where do the boundaries between cultural diplomacy and public diplomacy,
and between cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations, lie? Does the term nations and their
people include or exclude parts of nation-states, or groups of nation-states? Does the type of agent
define whether a certain practice is cultural diplomacy or some other practice? What other aspects of
culture does the definition refer to? And what is the status of the fostering of mutual understanding?
In order to foster a deeper understanding of the said flaws and incoherent implementation of the ENP,
further research on the guiding principles of collaboration as displayed in the chart6 below is essential to
complement the current ENP framework.
5 Cf. Lehne S (2014), Conceptual Flaws and Incoherent Implementation, Recommendations for the EU Leadership
and Faulty Conceptual Framework, Carnegie Europe.
6 Mechanisms of collaboration between the EU and EaP partner states since 1991: The EUs core offerings within the
context of the EaP are Association Agreements (AA), Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (DCFTA),
and visa liberalisation agreements. The EU has provided instruments for all three areas, ranging from financial aid to
technical assistance and multilateral platforms.
18
5. Keywords
Cultural international relations, public diplomacy, European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), soft power, foreign relations policy, the Eastern Partnership (EaP), complex interdependence.
6. Useful links
The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy provides a deeper understanding of how cultural diplomacy
works.
A Window to Upgrade EU Foreign Policy is a paper published by Carnegie Europe. This paper provides a holistic view of the current state and flaws of the current foreign challenges the EU faces.
NB: the institutional segments of this paper are recommended, but not mandatory reads.
The EU Neighbourhood Information Centre offers an overview of EU supported and funded projects
in the Neighbourhood Region. Key documents and reports about the EU Neighbourhood partnership
gathered between 2009 and 2014 can still be found in the EU Neighbourhood library.
Placing cultural diplomacy in perspective: how talent shows employ cultural diplomacy by utilising
engaging popular formats for traditional local culture. A TED Talk by Cynthia Schneider, cultural diplomacy expert.
19
CLUSTER 1 - SOCIETY
Committee on Culture and education - CULT
The depressing reality of bullying in cyberspace: What should be done
to combat the dark side of the internet and the concequences of cyberbullying?
Chairperson: Maria Manolescu (RO)
1. Why is it important?
In 2014, a 14-year-old Italian girl sought advice on a social network after breaking up with her boyfriend.
Some of the anonymous replies she received included: Kill yourself, Nobody wants you, You are not
normal. The girl eventually jumped to her death from a tall building1.
With the advent of technology, young people from all over the world, who would otherwise be unlikely to
meet, can easily and instantly communicate. The numerous platforms for emailing, instant messaging, chat
rooms, text messaging, picture sharing and so forth, also provide a powerful platform to target peers2,
harass and bully them.
Source: NoBullying.com, Statistics for 20143

Cyber-bullying has been defined as an aggressive, intentional act carried out by a group or individual,
using electronic forms of contact, repeatedly and over time against a victim who cannot easily defend
himself / herself4.
1 Cyberbullying suicide: Italy shocked by Amnesia Ask.fm case, (2014), BBC.

2 Cyber-Bullying, (2013), Web Aware.
3 Cyberbullying and Bullying Statistics 2014, Finally!, (2014), NoBullying.com
4 Dooley J, Pyzalski J, Cross D, Journal of Psychology (2009), Cyberbullying versus Face-to-Face bullying, Vol. 217(4),
p.182.
20
Common Forms of Cyber-bullying5

Flaming and Trolling sending or posting hostile messages intended to inflame the emotions of others
Happy-Slapping recording someone being harassed or bullied in a way that usually involves physical
abuse, then posting the video online for public viewing
Identity Theft/Impersonation stealing someones password and/or hijacking their online accounts to
send or post incriminating or humiliating pictures, videos, or information
Photoshopping doctoring digital images so that the main subject is placed in a compromising or embarrassing situation
Physical Threats sending messages that involve threats to a persons physical safety
Rumour Spreading spreading gossip through e-mail, text messaging, or social networking sites.
Source: Childnet International6
A presentation at the International Conference on Cyber-bullying in 2012 indicated that more than 2,000
European youngsters had been cyber-bullied in a year.7 Cyber-bullying is a problem that dramatically
affects the lives of tens of thousands of some of the most vulnerable members of society.
Source: Promoting safe and supportive schools8
5 Cyber-Bullying, Beyond the Bully.

6 Cyber-Bullying, Childnet International.
7 Blanchard, S., T., (2014), Cyberbullying linked to suicidal thoughts in children, News Record.
8 Cyber-Bullying, Childnet International.
21
2. Whos in play
The struggle to ensure freedom of speech while protecting those who take part in online communications has not yet been tackled efficiently on an EU or national level in Europe. Some national legislatures
have criminalised related offences such as defamation, unauthorised access on someones personal
accounts, stalking, threatening, menacing, harassing or offensive use of the internet or encouraging suicide, but legislative gaps still exist. Due to the media coverage of cyber-bullying cases leading to suicide,
certain online platforms adopted stricter rules however, these can and are often easily circumvented.
The power of change is therefore on a micro-level: what makes young people bully their peers? How
should victims react to it? What can those who witness cyber-bullying do? How best can schools and
parents guide, supervise and support the young, without infringing their freedom of expression and communication?9
3. What has been tried

Many anti-cyber-bullying campaigns have been tried out: from Stop Cyber-bullying, to raising awareness
programmes like Delete Cyber-bullying. and specific workshops for school personnel.10 The committee
will be called upon to reflect on best practices and learning lessons to draw from past and existing campaigns so as to develop feasible and impactful actions in their community.
4. Food for thought

The age at which children gain access to technical devices and online platforms is decreasing every year.
Channels of communications are growing exponentially. Parents and teachers cannot fully supervise
ones entire online activity, while online platforms mostly rely on generic rules, the implementation thereof is difficult to check. Young people often do not share or report being bullied for fear that they will be
deprived of online access.
What actions can young people take to trigger a change in the current and future younger generations, so
as to keep the internet accessible whilst making it safe for those most vulnerable?
5. Keywords
Bullying, cyber-bullying, cyber stalking, cyber harassement.
9 Cyber-Bullying, Analysis of the Issue.

10 Bullying and Cyberbullying Workshops, Anti Defamation League & and Cyberbullying Toolkit :Standing up, Not
Standing By - A Free Cyberbullying Toolkit for Educators, Common Sense Education.
22
6. Useful links
Infographic on Cyber-bullying facts, (2015), NoBullying.com.
Gender distinctions in Cyber-bullying, Soc101Group2.
Bolman, C., Dehue, F., Voolink, T., (2008), Cyberbullying: Youngsters Experiences and Parental Perception, Cyberpsychology & Behavior, Volume 11, Number 2, 2008.
Bullying Suicide Statistics, NoBullying.com.
Cyber-Bullying, (2013), Web Aware.
Cyber-Bullying: Bullies Move from the Playground to the Web, Zone Alarm.
Cyber-Bullying, YPulse Lifeline - Youth Are Acting out Online.
Cyber-Bullying: Social Media Becomes the New School Yard for Bullies, Zone Alarm.
Cyber-Bullied: How Bullies Have Moved from the Playground to the Web, Zone Alarm.
Cyber-Bullying: What is it?, Zone Alarm.
23
CLUSTER 1 - SOCIETY
Committee on womens rights and
gender equality - femm
Breaking the chains of societal gender expectations: What should be done to liberate
new generations of men and women to define their individual roles in their families
and workplace, independent of gender stereotypes?
Chairperson: Koka Kapanadze (GE)
Gender Stereotypes
Larkin, M., (2013), Can brain biology explain why men and women think and act differently?

Todays society is rich in stereotypes which affect our perception of genders to such an extent that they
can determine and limit ones choices. Conceptions such as the idea that men are not the best suited
to take care of children and that women are meant to be in charge of the household, while men are the
bread-winners, lead to unequal distribution of roles within families and at the work place. Gender wage
gap is not solely caused by discriminations of women in the labour market; it is also a cause of choices
women make while planning their career. Society steers women away from scientific fields and towards
more feminine fields1 which generally include less well paid jobs2.
On the other hand, men are taught from a young age they need to be tough, protective, that it is their task
to defend themselves and their family. They are steered towards powerful positions, be it physical ones
or that come with high responsibilities and power and raised to believe that other occupations would not
be manly enough.
1 What does gender segregation in occupations mean?, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
2 Less well paid jobs are also the ones that offer more flexibility and less responsibility jobs that women can be
inclined to choose because of conceptions surrounding their role in the family.
24
In the age of rising democracy and human rights, its of utmost importance to make sure that women
and men are given equal opportunities, are treated equally, free of any gender-based limitations.
2. Whos in play?
Men and women
European Commission EU institution which drafts proposals for new EU laws adopted The Strategy
for equality between women and men in 2010.
Council of Europe international organisation promoting peace, democracy and human rights published Gender Equality Strategy in 2014
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women - supports inter-governmental bodies in their formulation of policies, global standards and norms; assists Member States
in implementing these standards; leads and coordinates the UN systems work on gender equality.
Gender Policy Committee of European Association of Science Editors (EASE) works to advance
gender and sex-sensitive reporting and communication in science since 2012.
Numerous NGOs fight gender stereotypes.
25

Gender stereotypes have long been at the centre of attention of society, with many social initiatives to
improve the status quo. To mention only a few: UNs HeForShe, Break the Box, Like a girl, I am more than
my gender, No gender December, Stop Bild Sexism, Start with the boys. The committee will be called to
contemplate on the progress and deficiencies of past and current campaigns in determining next steps.
At a governmental level, several states adopt gender equality policies. Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden
and Denmark take leading positions in fighting the gender wage gap. In Sweden both men and women
get 480 days of parental leave when a child is born or adopted, while also getting parental allowance.
Source: Gender Pay Gap Statistics, (2015), European Commission - Eurostat.
4. Food for Thought

Changing peoples mindsets is sometimes hard, even if governments come up with perfect strategies, it is
still people who (choose to) discriminate or who are influenced by wrong attitudes of society. A bottom-up
approach is therefore needed. What can the civil society do to reach gender equality? What can we learn
from already tried social initiatives? What kind of actions can citizens take to break gender stereotypes?
5. Keywords
Gender stereotypes negative or positive perceptions due to simplistic generalisations of women and
mens differences or roles within their families/societies.
Gender segregation Separation of workplaces according to peoples social construction of gender.
Gender pay gap Differences in earnings of men and women.
26
6. Useful Links
Strategy for Equality between Women and Men 2010-2015, European Commission.
Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017, (2014), Council of Europe.
Gender segregation in the labour market: Root causes, implications and policy responses in the EU,
(2009), XG EGGE, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Unit
G1.
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.
Gender Policy Committee of European Association of Science Editors, EASE.
The Global Gender Pay Gap report 2014, Video from the World Economic Forum.
How to avoid Gender stereotypes? - Ted Talk, Eleanor Tabi Haller-Jordan.
Global Parity Group, World Economic Forum.
Equality Now, NGO founded in 1992.
We should all be feminists - Ted Talk, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
United Nations: Speech - The Importance of Gender Equality, Emma Watson.
27
CLUSTER 1 - SOCIETY
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and
Home Affairs - LIBE
Between personal data protection and corporate use of information on the internet:
What does privacy mean in the 21st century and what actions need to be taken to
implement it?
Chairperson: Julian Staben (DE)
Ceci nest pas une paire dyeux. / This is not a pair of eyes.
Source: Bateson, M., Nettle, D., & Roberts, G. (2006), Cues of being watched enhance cooperation in a real-world setting. Biology letters,
2(3), 412-414 (from Figure 1, p. 413)

This is just a photo of a pair of eyes. But this picture was sufficient to significantly change peoples behaviour in a real-life experiment: The picture was hung over an honesty box in a university coffee room,
where it was unlikely that anyone failing to pay would be observed. On average, people paid 2.76 times
as much in the weeks with eyes than with another photo (in this case: flowers). It is not known for certain
what exact psychological effect led to the change in behaviour. However, the scientists who conducted the
experiment assumed that the (subconscious) perception of being watched triggered the norm-abiding
behaviour.1
While norm-abiding behaviour is favourable in regard to the most important laws of societies, its downside becomes apparent when people become too conformist. This is one of the many reasons why privacy is not only something that individuals find personally enjoyable, but also something societies need.
In societies that lack dissent, new ideas hardly disseminate and these societies are therefore less likely to
advance. The ability to maintain and achieve a state of privacy is therefore in the legal DNA of all democratic states.
1 Bateson, M., Nettle, D., & Roberts, G., (2006), Cues of being watched enhance cooperation in a real-world setting,
Biology letters, 2(3), 412-414
28
2. Whos in play?

The EU adopted the Data Protection Directive in 1995.2 However, most of its rules were quickly outdated
by the technological development. Social Networks, Cloud services3, targeted advertising4, and Big Data5
advanced quickly and the European legal framework could not quite keep up. The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), currently a draft aiming at full-harmonisation, is supposed to make life easier
for businesses and consumers alike. But the regulation is advancing slowly and finds itself under heavy
siege from both sides6 pro-industry lobbyists and privacy NGOs (such as Privacy International or European Digital Rights).
2 The main aim of directive 95/46/EC was to hold European companies to similar privacy standards in order to foster
market integration and protect consumer rights.
3 For example Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive.
4 Targeted advertising designs advertisements in accordance with a user profile. This profile is compiled from previous websites visited, the users origin, hardware, software, presumed gender, and vast amounts of other personal
data. See the article by Kashmir Hill in the Useful Links section.
5 Big Data from a social perspective implies the ubiquitous accumulation of vast amounts of data that allow impressive predictions about human behaviour and preferences.
6 The project LobbyPlag tries to visualise the influence of lobbying on the draft regulation.
29
Critics fear that with the quick advancement of technologies the GDPR is too bureaucratic, inefficient, or
insufficient to take on the immanent and future threats to privacy. Additionally, many users have resorted
to self-protection. NGOs such as the French La quadrature du net and the German Chaos Communication Club host workshops for digital literacy7 and so called crypto-parties where citizens can learn to
encrypt their digital communication. At the same time, a few people have given up the fight and prepare
themselves for a post-privacy society.8
4. Food for thought

Information is power. Whoever has information about a person is able to exercise a certain power over
him/her. The right to privacy allows us to control the information that is available about us. The Committee on Civil Liberties is asked to re-think this concept of privacy for the 21st century.
What do we need to achieve a justified (feeling of) privacy? Is it enough to be (theoretically) able to leave
all our electronic devices behind and escape the network society? Or do we need ways to achieve privacy
as social beings that means within our society or group? Can we still enjoy the benefits of Big Data, such
as Google Flu Trends9? How can companies make use of the available data for research and the sake of
economic growth, while individuals maintain their liberty?
5. Keywords
Privacy, data protection, informational self-determination, surveillance, post-privacy, Big Data, data mining, targeted advertising.
6. Useful Links

Glenn Greenwald, Why Privacy Matters (TED Talk).

Kashmir Hill, How Target Figured Out A Teen Girl Was Pregnant Before Her Father Did, Forbes.com
Nova Spivack, The Post-Privacy World, Wired.com.
Bateson, M., Nettle, D., & Roberts, G. (2006), Cues of being watched enhance cooperation in a real-world setting. Biology letters, 2(3), 412-414.
European Digital Rights (NGO), Key aspects of the proposed General Data Protection Regulation explained.
7 Digital literacy refers to the ability to make productive use of digital devices such as computers, tablets, and smart
phones.
8 Post-Privacy refers to the idea that in a world of ubiquitous information technology and data processing privacy
cannot be maintained with reasonable effort and therefore calls for total transparency. See the article by Nova Spivack in the Useful Links section.
9 The project Google Flu Trends bases predictions about the flu activity around the world on aggregated search
queries from Google Search.
30
cluster II - environment
environment
ENVI II
ITRE
AGRI
ENVI I
TRAN
energy
efficiency
energy
production
food
waste
sustainable
consumption
green
mobility
increase
single
social
reduce
energy
microgeneration
transport
innovation
food
waste
efficiency
area
GHG
consumers
civil society governance
industry
31
CLUSTER 1I - Environment
Committee on Agriculture and
Rural Development - AGRI
Over 100 million tonnes of food wasted every year in the EU: How can civil society inspire change in food consumption patterns in order to reduce food waste and
strengthen the sustainability of the food system?
Chairperson: Isabel Cantalapiedra (ES)
Food wastage is the decrease in edible food mass that was originally intended for human consumption.
Source: Joint Food Wastage Declaration

The EU currently wastes 89 million tonnes of food a year1, equivalent to 179 kg per capita2, of which 50%
is healthy and edible. These figures are yet more striking when we consider the amount of economic, energy, and human resources needed to obtain this food, and the enormous environmental impact3 its production, packaging, and distribution have. Food waste not only represents a substantial loss of resources,
but is also a matter of collective social responsibility, and is crucial at a time when more than 122 million
people in the EU4 are at risk of poverty.
1 Food Waste, (2012), European Commission - Audiovisual Services.

2 Preparatory study on food waste across EU27, (2010): This is the most recent EU-wide statistic, yet the estimate for
2014 was 100 million tonnes of waste, and expected to rise to 126 million tonnes by 2020.
3 EEA Signals, (2014), Well-Being and the Environment: Building a resource efficient and circular economy in Europe, European Environment Agency, ISBN 978-92-9213-431-0, DOI:10.2800/13662
4 People at risk of poverty or social exclusion, (2013), European Commission, Eurostat - Statistics Explained.
32
2. Who is in play?
Food waste occurs at all stages of the food chain, from producers and manufacturers to distributers and
consumers, with farmers already discarding produce that are not the right shape or size, and inadequate
storage and transport hindering effective resource management at all stages of the chain. However, over
45% of food waste is localised at retail and household level5.
Source: European Environmental Agency (2013-2014), What are the

sources of food waste in Europe?
Source: Think.Eat.Save
Toolkit
5 Preparatory Study on Food Waste across EU-27, (2010), Technical Report 054, European Commission - Directorate
General for Environment (C/Industry), pp. 9-12.
33

The EU presented the Roadmap for a Resource efficient Europe in 2011, setting a milestone of 50% reduction in edible food waste by 2020. However, only France has set its national goals in that direction, with
other Member States setting theirs in the 20-25% range. There are other policies on waste, like the Waste
Framework Directive (2008/98/EC), which sets the basic principles for waste management and the waste
hierarchy6. Moreover, the Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) obliges Member States to reduce the amount of
biodegradable waste by 65% by 2016 compared to 1995, yet it does not provide specific guidelines on
implementation, which has led to most Member States turning to incineration rather than waste prevention.
Feed the 50007 is a campaigning event created by the charity Feedback that brings people together to eat
unsold food that would otherwise have been wasted. Feed the 5000 events are held in main squares of
big cities (London, Paris, New York, or Brussels) and thus attract attention from the by-passers, the media,
and politicians. Additionally, WRAPs consumer campaign Love Food Hate Waste initiative in the UK is a
good example of how a nationwide campaign is suitable to address households, raising awareness of the
issues surrounding food waste and offering easy solutions to retailers and consumers on how to reduce
their waste; better packaging and labelling, meal planning, recipes and recycling.
Stop wasting food8 movement is the biggest Danish NGO against food waste that seeks to increase public
awareness through media campaigns, organising events and encouraging discussion and debate about
food waste. It is also one of the co-developers of the Joint declaration against food waste, which calls upon
the European Parliament and United Nations to implement measures towards sustainable food production and consumption.
6 The waste hierarchy gives preference, in this order, to prevention, reuse, recycling, energy recovery and, lastly,
disposal.
7 TED Talk on the global food waste scandal, by Stuart Tristram.
8 Stop Wasting Food! Capmapaign Video.
34
4. Food for thought
Source: Eat.Think.Save Campaign
Source: Eat.Think.Save
Campaign
Food waste has a high environmental

impact, derived from the GHG
emissions to the atmosphere. This does
not only account for the emissions during production, but also waste disposal
and the consequent landfilling. Every
step of the food chain generates waste
and pollution.
Improving efficiency of the food chain will benefit

the economy through sustainable growth, and can
also have an impact in the global balance of trade
in agricultural products. Food waste represents
a revenue stream for producers and the industry,
and ultimately for consumers due to bad purchasing habits. Buying food that we then not eat causes prices to go up as it reduces overall supply, and
costs consumers an extra 250-400 a year.
Households discard 25% of the food they buy, which ultimately accounts for
180kg of food per capita per year. With 79 million people living below the line of
poverty in the EU, food waste is an undeniable issue of moral and social equity.
Consumers in developed countries waste as much food as the entire net production of sub-Saharan Africa.
It is estimated that British households throw away 5.4m tonnes of edible food
every year. Only the bread that British households bin each year could alleviate
the hunger of 30m malnourished people.
The European Parliament recognised that spontaneous initiatives taken by
associations to publicise and bring about an anti-waste culture have been extremely successful.
35
5. Keywords
Food wastage, food waste, food loss, stages of the food chain, waste hierarchy, food consumption patterns, environmental impact of food waste, food packaging, food storage and transport, food management, waste management.
6. Useful links

Food waste footprint video, by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
Packaging video from Euractiv.
General Union Environment Action Programme to 2020, factsheet and official Decision 1386/2013/EU.
Report on food waste Turning milestones into quantified objectives: food waste for the European
Commission, DG Environment.
The EU FUSIONS project aims to establish a shared vision and strategy on food waste across the supply chain.
10 tips to reduce food waste, from the European Commission.
The freegans creed: waste not, want not, an article by the Guardian.
What do best before and use by labels mean? A guide for consumers and businesses.
Ideas for action.
Additional fun: Food wastage game and quiz.
36
Food Safety I - ENVI I
Renewable materials and green consumer choices: How should consumers be incentivised to shift towards sustainable lifestyles both at home and when shopping?
Chairperson: Karin-Liis Lahtme (EE)

Climate change has convinced countries governments around the world to agree on reducing their
greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), one of the biggest factors contributing to what is projected to have
major impacts on ecosystems, water resources and, thus, human health.
Source: The European environment state and outlook 2010: Synthesis, EEA.
The biggest concern stems from GHG emissions. The EU is responsible for around 10%1 of the GHG
emitted worldwide. The following infographic indicates the main sources of manmade GHG emissions
globally, two thirds of which is accounted for by fossil fuels in the energy, transport, industry and households sectors.
1 EU greenhouse gas emissions and targets, (2015), European Commission - Climate Action.
37
Source: The European environment state and outlook 2010: Synthesis, EEA.
Consumers are more aware of the impact of their consumption patterns have on the environment; they
have been exposed to a variety of media, indicating the need to change their ways.
The status quo among consumers that sees the persons attitudes and beliefs detached from the final purchase, be it at home or when shopping, persists. In the age of consumerism and better, faster consumption, there is little time that a person can afford to spend on thinking about the environmental impact of
consumer choices.
Source: The Buyers Black Box - The Stimuli Reactor Model, Marketing Diary.
38
It has been easier to shift the attention to producers in not providing sustainable choices without which
one cannot act responsibly towards the environment. Yet, the logic here is simple; if a consumer wants sustainable products, the demand is met with a supply from the producers side. If we posit that consumers
drive the market, then consumer behaviour should be reflected in production. Consumption patterns
have ethical, resource, waste and community impact implications.2. Consumer power is further seen after the purchase has been made, at home as consumption patterns of utilities and home appliances reflect
consumers environmental awareness.
Aware of the associated costs of greener implementation for the producers, this topic focuses the social
innovation rather than the technological innovation behind sustainable consumption. Emphasis is put on
the possible trade-offs consumers face, at home and when shopping, when the motivational and practical complexity of green consumption meet.3
2. Whos in play?
Sustainable consumption involves people, businesses, government regulators and NGOs; all of these
actors are called on to aid the process of change. Social momentum drives technological and political
change to benefit the environment and link consumption patterns to environmental objectives.
2 Hwang, K., McDonald, S., Oates, J., Young, W., (2009), Sustainable Consumption: Green Consumer Behaviour
when Purchasing Products, Sust. Dev. 18, 2031 (2010), Wiley InterScience, DOI: 10.1002/sd.394.
3 Moisander, J., (2007), Motivational complexity of green consumerism, International Journal of Consumer Studies
Volume 31, Issue 4, pages 404409, July 2007, DOI: 10.1111/j.1470-6431.2007.00586.x.
39

The EU has set ambitious environmental goals for 2020, 2030 and 2050. These objectives are set out to
transform the European economy into an integrated system of environmentally conscious consumption
and production market networks.
The Renewable Energy Directive steers Member States countries towards actively supporting renewable
energy sources such as wind, solar and biomass to reach the environmental objectives that the EU has set
for its future.
Member States are called on to also reduce the energy use of their buildings and industries are required
to improve the energy efficiency of a wide array of equipment and household appliances.
Yet, with the power to transform the system resting now in the hands of consumers, social initiatives fuelled
by social patterns are also adding value to grassroots initiatives that can help multiply and sustain a reengineered consumption paradigm in Europe. Initiatives like SPREAD are channeling social momentum into
policy change.
4. Food for thought
40
5. Keywords
Sustainable consumption, green choice, green consumption, consumer choice, sustainable lifestyle,
household efficiency, green startups.
6. Useful links
Consumer behaviour
The 4 factors influencing consumer behaviour, (2014), The Consumer Factor.
Production and consumption systems need fundamental rethink, (2014), European Environment
Agency.
Lakey, G., (2012), Why Green Consumer Choices Arent Enough, yes! Magazine.
Changing consumer behaviour to sustainability, (2012), Euractiv.
Worldwide effects of consumerism
Shah, A., (2005), Effects of Consumerism, Global Issues - Social, Political, Economic and Environmental Issues That Affect Us All.
Claudio, L., (2007), Waste Couture: Environmental Impact of the Clothing Industry, Environ Health
Perspect. 2007 Sep; 115(9): A449A454.
Lifestyle, Pollution Issues.
Our well-being, European Environment Agency.
NGOs & awareness-raising social initiatives
Green 10
Inforse Europe
Cliff, M., (2014), Forget the ugli fruit, meet the ugly fruit bowl! French supermarket introduces lumpy
and misshapen fruit and vegetables - sold at a 30% discount - to combat food waste, Daily Mail (UK).
Vending Machine Sells T-Shirts for 2 Euros but no one will buy, True Activist.
Factors that aid green consumption
Kuneva, M., (2009), Consumers want to make green choices, The Guardian.
Attitudes of Europeans towards green products (2013), Flash Eurobarometer 317, European Commission - Directorate General for Environment.
41
Food Safety II - ENVI II
Combatting climate change by saving energy: Which actions should be taken to increase energy efficiency in the products we use, the houses we build and the services
we consume?
Chairperson: Joo Moreira (PT)

Modern society is faced with a key environmental challenge; how to deliver the same services while using
less energy, or more services from the exact same energy input? The answer to both questions seems to be
increased energy efficiency1. Energy efficiency is set
to play a fundamental role in the transition towards a
more competitive, secure and sustainable energy system in the EU with an internal energy market at its core,
while ultimately reducing final energy costs for consumers. With energy irreplaceably powering our societies and economies, future growth must be driven by
less energy consumption and lower costs.
With even broader challenges to tackle - combating
climate change and air pollution, decreasing dependence on foreign fossil fuels, and keeping energy affordable for consumers and businesses - society has
yet to fully embrace the tremendous potential of energy efficiency. Realising the urgency of the issue at
hand, the EUs 2020 Energy Strategy2 sets out five
priorities, one of which aims to make Europe more energy efficient by accelerating investment into efficient
buildings, products, and transport, through a varied set
of measures and legislation. Looking even further into
the future, its target for 2030 is an energy efficiency improvement of 30% compared to projections3.
1 Energy Topics - Energy Efficiency

2 2020 Strategy - European Commission
3 2030 Strategy - European Commission
Source: Sustainable Energy for All
42
2. Whos in play?
EU - sets up the central energy efficiency targets, the strategies aimed at meeting them4, funding schemes5
that can fuel their integration and relevant legislation and implementation strategies for EU Member States.
Member States - implement policies and the transpose EU legislation into national law. Member States
are required to table National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAPs)6 every three years and to provide annual reports to the EU.
International Organisations & Initiatives - connect the EU, Member States and the rest of the world,
through autonomous and independent facilitation and deployment of funds, best practises and initiatives.
Organisations such as the European Environmental Agency, the United Nations and World Bank partnership Sustainable Energy for All and the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy are some
examples.
Civil Society - ranging from individuals to independent organisations or institutions that represent the
collective rights and interests of society, the fundamental role of civil society lies on its power of initiative
and detachment from governments or any other political entities, mostly through work developed on a
voluntary basis.
4 Energy Efficiency - European Commission

5 Financing Energy Efficiency - European Commission
6 National Energy Efficiency Action Plans - European Commission
43

The overarching EU strategies for the environment are set out in the 2020 and 2030 targets as well as the
2050 Roadmap. Within those strategies, energy efficiency is an indispensable ele-ment of the EUs energy
future.
The key EU strategies and legislative proposals pertaining to energy efficiency fall under the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED)7. Under the Directive, all EU countries are required to use energy more efficiently
at all stages of the energy chain.
Above and beyond the set of binding measures of the EED, the EU has tabled the Energy Performance of
Buildings Directive8, and two directives on Ecodesign and Energy Labelling.
Social initiatives have also benefited society in reaching such targets. Empowerhouse, one of those successful social initiatives, is demonstrated below.
7 Energy Efficiency Directive

8 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
44
4. Food for thought
5. Keywords
Energy efficiency, energy intensity, sustainability, utilities, smart appliances, zero-energy build-ings, retrofitting, eco-labelling, green consumer choice.
6. Useful links
Net Zero House - Explanatory Video.
Zero Energy Home - Explanatory Video.
Tesla Batteries
Elon Musk Debuts the Tesla Powerwall
Teslas Powerwall Home Battery: The Stuff Worth Knowing - Brent Rose, wired.com.
Will Teslas Battery Really Transform our Energy Infrastructure?, Foreign Affairs Magazine.
45
Smart Grids
Smart Grids, World Economic Forum.
Brian Warshay - Upgrading Grid, Foreign Affairs Magazine.
Smart Meters
Vaughan, A., (2009), Smart energy meters in every UK home by 2020, The Guardian.
LaMonica, M., (2014), Will smart home technology systems make consumers more energy efficient?,
The Guardian.
Smart Home Technologies
Braw, E., (2015), The way we live now: the rise of the energy-producing home, The Guardian.
Vaughan, A., (2015), Google-owned Nest launches smart thermostat in the UK, The Guardian.
Hickey, S., (2015), Boiling Point: redesigning the kettle for the 21st century (with video), The Guardian.
Industry, Research and Energy
Braw, E., (2015), Leftover industrial heat to warm Swedens most chilly northern city, The Guardian.
Morris, S., (2015) Straw houses: builders hope past will inspire greener, warmer future, The Guardian.
Open District Heating initiative, Fortrum.
46
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy - ITRE
A renewable power plant in every home: What role should decentralised energy production play to achieve sustainability, reliability and affordability in the energy mix
of the future?
Chairperson: Niall Murphy (IE)

With the Paris Climate Conference approaching, European leaders are committed to reducing CO2 emissions within the EU1. Microgeneration (small and medium-sized generation of power by indi-viduals or
local communities) is being touted as essential since the power generated is used at source, meaning
transmission and distribution losses are virtually eliminated. Furthermore, the ma-jority of microgeneration technologies use renewable energy2.
However the benefits go beyond reducing CO2 emissions; consumers would be able to shield themselves
from future price fluctuations in the energy market3. Many microgeneration projects involve communities
working together; could it be a way of empowering communities and enhanc-ing social cohesion4, while
democratising the energy market to give ordinary citizens the dual role of ethical consumers and producers?
2. Who is in play?
Industry
Governments
European
Commission
Civil Society
Community
Power
Eurolectric
Member
States
EREC, EPIA,
EWEA
Greenpeace &
other environmental groups
Council &
Parliament
However, as a recent European Parliament (EP) resolution recognised, the main drivers behind microgeneration will be ordinary citizens.
1 See the Roadmap 2050 and 2030 framework for climate and energy policies
2 What is microgeneration
3 Renewables
4 Chadwick, M., Clark, D., (2012), The Rough Guide to Community Energy
47

As of yet, there is no specific European policy on energy microgeneration, however the Renewable Energy
Directive sets individual targets for Member States and asks them to produce action plans. The Directive
also elaborates a regular reporting framework under which the European Commission issues progress
reports and country specific recommendations. Horizon 2020 set a budget of 5 931 million for non-nuclear energy research, with one of the main priorities being low carbon technology. Guidelines for the
implementation of new technologies are outlined by the European Commission in its policy on support
schemes.
To deal with the natural fluctuations which exist in the supply of renewable energy, industry and researchers are seeking technological advancements through the development of higher capacity storage batteries and the utilisation of energy smart grids. The installation of smart meters allows for demand management and the resale of energy back into the national grid
A number of communities across Member States have come together to produce their own energy (some
Member States, such as the UK, have set up funds to encourage citizens in this endeavour).
4. Food for thought

The main challenges that hinder effective microgeneration schemes in the EU pertain to the design of the
energy grid, the reliability of microgeneration networks5, the affordability of setting up such networks
as well as maintaining them, the level of awareness among citizens and the capacity of communities to
manage such schemes and ownership models. The graph below demonstrates the conflicts and key challenges of setting up an effective, reliable and affordable microgeneration network in the EU6.
Will communities be willing to work

together to produce their own energy;
what kind of ownership models will be
created and what happens to the energy supply in the event of community
disputes?
Will banks be willing to lend capital to
small scale energy projects led by citizens with no experience in energy production? Will citizens have the saving to
carry out maintenance and repairs when
necessary? Can Europe-an governments
afford to subsidise a mass conversion to
microgeneration?
Energy Grid
Design
Managing
Community
Projects
Reliability
The energy grid which is designed for

a few too many system; investment
will be required to update the technology towards the many to many model
which microgeneration demands.
If consumers are also producers, and if consumers patterns of energy consump-tion are
broadly similar, then the net-work will suffer
from oversupply when energy demand is low
and shortfalls when energy demand is high.
Affordability
Awareness
Lack of awareness among citizens about

the potential of microgeneration is a
significant barrier.
5 Entchev, E., Tzscheutschler, P., Sasso, M., (2014), Impact of Microgeneration on the Low-Voltage Electricity Grid,
Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme, October, 2014, IEA, Energy Technology Network.
6 Barker, G., (2011), Microgeneration Strategy, Department of Energy and Climate, June 2011.
48
5. Keywords
Microgeneration, community power, smart and micro grids, smart meters, demand management, energy
storage batteries, Renewable Energy Directive, Horizon 2020.
6. Useful links
Euractiv has a useful, though slightly dated, portal on microgeneration.
The Energy challenges and policy review by the EC provides a useful survey of the ener-gy situation
in Europe currently.
An excellent, easily and quickly readable, Rough Guide to Community Energy.
A very insightful episode on microgeneration in Austria and Ireland.
Review of the important Third Industrial Revolution book.
Elon Musk presents the Tesla Battery; The economist gives its view.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change Microgeneration Strategy offers a range of ideas and
solutions.
Detailed report from Oxford University Environmental Change Institute.
49
Committee on transport and tourism - TRAN
Green mobility balancing between innovation, investment and user choice: What
should be done to put a brake on the ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions from
the transport sector in the EU?
Chairperson: Dimitris Zacharias (GR)

Transportation is a vital sector of the European economy. Aside from its contribution of 548 billion in
Gross Value Added (GVA)1 at basic prices and employment for approximately 5%2 of the total workforce,
the transport industry is the sector of the European economy that realises the Unions mobility potential
and connects its people.
The aviation, railway, maritime and road transport networks, whether through freight or passenger transport, produce negative spillovers on the environment. The transport industry contributes 24.3%3 of the EU
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; with the EUs strategic outlook in rendering Europe an aviation hub
and emphasising Europes contribution to inland and international trade through lean transportation networks by rail and road, fears of further environmental damages and lower air quality persist.
Figure 1: Contribution of Transport to Total GHS Emissions in Europe
Source: Nature Climate Change 2, 1114 (2012)

1 EU Transport in Figures - Statistical Pocketbook 2014, European Commission
2 Ibid.
3 Reducing Emissions from Transport, - European Commission, Climate Action, 2015
50
Society is at a crossroads; whilst transportation networks offer benefits for travellers, the environmental
impacts they produce are key challenges for Europes future. Industries and governments can do so much
to limit GHG emissions, yet European citizens have the power to reshape Europes environmental future
and safeguard its air quality.
Travellers and consumers are tasked with using their powers to inspire a modal shift in the transport
industry; with the EU and Member States setting out to enable green mobility and enable passengers
access to products and services, civil society is now elevated to a pivotal stakeholder in this attempt to
balance off the benefits of increasing mobility and the challenges of the environmental impact.
2. Whos in Play?
The key stakeholders of this topic are governmental (national and supranational), industrial (commercial
or manufacturing) , social (users, consumers & travellers, NGOs) and international.
Industry & Commerce
Freight,
Logistics,
Courier
Companies
Commercial
Companies
(Aviation,
Railway, Road,
Maritime)
Civil Society
Government
Passengers
Member States
Governments
Transport and Tourism Ministries
Regional Transport
Agencies
Consumers
NGOs
European
and
National Associations
Social
Initiatives and
Startups
EU
DG MOVE
DG ENV
EP ENVI
EMTA
EPTO
EASA
EMSA
ERA
51

In 2011, the European Commission published a White Paper tabling a Roadmap to a Single Transport
Area; Towards a competitive and resource-efficient transport system. Transport 2050, the EUs ambitious
plan for a Single European Transport Area, links different modes of transport and fosters a shift in the way
passengers and freight are moved in the internal market.
The Roadmap to a Single Transport Area is a legislative initiative that has two core objectives; on the one
hand, it aims at reducing the environmental impact of the transport industry with an emphasis on lower
GHG emissions.4
On the other hand, it provides a comprehensive strategy on the way forward founded on three pillars:
1. A Single European Transport Area - harmonisation and limited bottlenecking,
2. Innovating for the Future through Technology and Behaviour - green mobility,
3. Modern Infrastructure, Smart Pricing and Funding - intermodal transport, TEN-Ts, eFreight.
4 Cf. COM(2011)112 - European Commission analysis show that while deeper cuts can be achieved in other sectors
of the economy, a reduction of 60% of GHGs by 2050 with respect to 1990 is required from the transport sector.
52
Curbing mobility is not an option for the EU; at the same time, growing out of oil and increasing mobility both rest on a modal shift in transport patters5 which will rest on a cluster of new technologies6.
Social initiatives such as startups and mobile applications are great vessels of the modal shift in transportation patters; applications and startups in the fields of carpooling7, carbon footprint calculation and optimal
route calculation offer users the opportunity to save time, decrease costs and reduce the environmental
impact. Essentially, the momentum to transform the transport industry in Europe to a greener, better sector of the economy in the hands of ordinary citizens.
4. Food for Thought
5 White Paper on Transport (p.13): To promote more sustainable behaviour, better mobility planning has to be
actively encouraged. Information on all modes of transport, both for travel and freight, on possibilities for their
combined use and on their environmental impact, will need to be widely available. Smart intermodal ticketing, with
common EU standards that respect EU competition rules is vital.
6 White Paper on Transport (p. 12): Such technologies relate to vehicles efficiency through new engines, materials
and design; cleaner energy use through new fuels and propulsion systems; better use of network and safer and more
secure operations through information and communication systems.
7 Carpooling refers to the ad-hoc use of vehicles of through an online request of the user to the owner of the car.
53
5. Keywords
Green mobility, GHG emissions, intermodal transport, TEN-Ts, e-Freight, Single European Sky, Single European Transport Area, optimal routes, Transport 2050, harmonisation of transport legislation.
6. Useful Links
Adaptation of Transport to Climate Change in Europe: Challenges and Options Across Transport
Modes and Stakeholders, (2014), European Environment Agency, EEA Report No 8/2014.
Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area: Facts and Figures, (2015), European Commission,
Mobility and Transport - European Strategies.
White Paper on Transport: Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area - Towards a Competitive
and Resource-Efficient Transport System, (2011), European Commission, Directorate General for Mobility and Transport, ISBN 978-92-79-18270-9, DOI:10.2832/30955.
Reducing Emissions from Transport, , European Commission, Climate Action - EU Action, May 2015.
Nelsen, A., (2014), EU leaders agree to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, The Guardian.
Road transport: Reducing CO2 emissions from vehicles, European Commission, Climate Action - EU
Action, May 2015.
Reducing Transport Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Trends and Data, (2010), International Transport
Forum.
EU Transport GHG: Routes to 2050 - Developing a better understanding of the secondary impacts
and key sensitivities for the decarbonisation of the EUs transport sector by 2050, (2012), European
Environment Agency.
About, EU Transport GHG: Routes to 2050.
White Paper on the future of the European Transport Policy, (2011), Explanatory Video - European
Commission, Audiovisual Services.
A future beyond traffic gridlock, Bill Ford - TED Talk.
Transport and Environment, Annual Report 2014.
54
cluster III - economy

economic
discrepancies between
Member States
EMPL II
Europe 2020
social responsibility
of companies
EMPL I
social protection
vs. free market
droi
Educational
Institutions
Need for gainful
employment
opportunities
globalised
economy
econ
grants/
loans
role and strength

of governments in
developing states
financial
literacy
deve
55
CLUSTER 1II - Economy

Committee on Development - DEVE
2015 as the European Year of Development and the target year for the UN Millennium Development Goals: How to support the Least Developed Countries in reaching
ambitious results regarding their youth policy?
Chairperson: Saga Eriksson (FI)
Young people are the most precious resource our planet possesses. Providing for youth is not just
a moral obligation; it is a compelling economic necessity. Study after study has shown the benefits
to the young and to their communities of investing in education, reproductive health, job skills and
employment opportunities for young people.
Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General

The Lisbon Treaty in Article 208 identifies poverty reduction as the primary development cooperation
objective for the EU.1 Youth in developing countries are the key to achieving this aim. They have the potential to lift themselves and their families out of poverty given the right opportunities. However at the
moment according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Global Employment Trends for Youth
report from 2013, two thirds of working age youth in developing countries are either unemployed or
trapped in low-quality jobs in the informal economy not being able to support themselves.2 The first obstacle to employment in later life is the level of education children receive. Despite achieving universal
primary education being one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) there are still 58 million
children who are not in primary education.3
There is so much untapped potential in the roughly 42.4% of the population of the world under 244 and
a cycle of poverty keeps them from contributing to the economic development of their country. However
with increasing efforts put into educational and exchange programmes to foster this potential, there is
also a danger of brain drain and thus further loss of qualified employees in countries that desperately
need them.
1 Art. 208, Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community (2007) OJ C306/01
2 Global Employment Trends for Youth: A Generation At Risk, (2013), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Labour Office, Geneva, ISBN 978-92-2-127484-1.
3 The Millennium Development Goals Report, (2014), United Nations.
4 World Demographics Profile, (2014), Index Mundi.
56
World map of youth as a percentage of the total population:
Source: UN, World Population Pospects 2010
2. Whos in play?
European Union and Member States donation is organised through the European Development
Fund to which Member States voluntarily contribute, as well as donations made collectively from the
EU budget.
Developing countries governments often lack social protection measures with their public sectors
suffering from inefficiency and corruption. Their economies largely operate in the primary or secondary sector where wages are lower.
Youth in developing countries are often either under- or unemployed.
The UN provides assistance in terms of support for youth setting up their own organisations.
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) can have an educational or entrepreneurial focus, many
NGOs have been started by both youth in developed and developing countries.
Private lenders can be bigger organisations such as MasterCard or providers of microloans aimed at
giving youth in developing countries seed money for their projects.
57

2015 has been named as the European Year of Development with the theme for July being children and
youth. As part of this the European Commission is organising European Development Days at the beginning of June. This initiative has invited young leaders to discuss development policy, many of which have
started their own organisations.
One such example is Ugandan Muhammed Kisirisa who founded the Action For Fundamental Change
and Development (AFFCAD), an organisation which empowers young Ugandans with vocational, leadership, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills. The UN has set out a World Program of Action for Youth
as well as having specific initiatives which give grants and loans to young entrepreneurs in developing
countries.
4. Food for thought

With a plethora of NGOs and civil society initiatives aimed at helping youth in developing countries realise
their potential there is nonetheless structural exclusion that stands in the way of access to basic rights.5
How can civil society best counteract these obstacles and campaign for inclusion? Should potential projects focus more on education or entrepreneurship? What is the most efficient way to offer support,
in-country initiatives or exchanges? What can the role of grants and microloans be in stimulating entrepreneurship?
5 Youth Participation in Development - A Guide for Development Agencies and Policy Makers, (2010), Youth WG of
the DFID-CSO Children and Youth Network, p.7, March 2010.
58
5. Keywords
Public sector safeguards, grants, microloans, low-quality jobs, tertiary education
6. Useful Links
General
Global Employment Trends for Youth: A Generation At Risk, (2013), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Labour Office, Geneva, ISBN 978-92-2-127484-1.
Erhardt, E., (2013), Youth in developing countries: A generation looking for work, KfW Research, European Commission - European Development Days, November 2013.
Youth Participation in Development - A Guide for Development Agencies and Policy Makers, (2010),
Youth WG of the DFID-CSO Children and Youth Network, March 2010.
EU Context
Gavas, M., Faure, R., Hefer, E., Scott, N., (2014), 10 Things to Know About EU Aid, Overseas Development Institute, EU Development Programme, March 2014.
The European Year for Development: Everyones Year, (2015) European Commission.
Future Leaders, (2015), European Commission - Youth/ European Development Days.
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, Council, the European Economic
and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, A decent Life for All: From Vision to Collective Action, COM(2014) 335 final, June 2014.
UN Context
About the Global Partnership on Youth in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, (2015), The Global
Partnership for Youth, Office of the Secretary-Generals Envoy on Youth, United Nations.
Secretary-Generals Envoy invites all youth organisations to endorse Global call on youth in post-2015
ahead of ECOSOC Forum, (2014), The Global Partnership for Youth, Office of the Secretary-Generals
Envoy on Youth, United Nations.
United Nations Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development, (2010), International Year of Youth
(IYY), United Nations.
Civil Society Examples
About US, National Youth Development Agency (NYDA - South Africa).
SOYDEN Background, Somali Youth Development Network, May, 2015.
What We Do, Becoming I Foundation.
Funding for youth in developing countries
Urban Youth Funds, UN Habitat for a Better Future.
Youth Savings in Developing Countries - Trends in Practice, Gaps in Knowledge, (2010), Youthsaver
Consortium, ed. Deshpande, R., Zimmerman, M., J., The MasterCard Foundation.
59

Committee on human rights - droi
What happens abroad stays abroad: How can companies be held legally and morally
accountable for their actions affecting the environment and workers in other parts of
the world?
Chairperson: Konrad Staeger (CH)

Globalisation has internationalised the production of goods and the provision of services and increased
cross-border activities of companies. NGOs have accused certain companies of human rights violations
committed in their business activities.1 Furthermore, especially in the con-text of natural resources, NGOs
allege that certain business activities severely harm the environment.2
Violation of the most basic labour standards and severe environmental damage can endanger the health
of workers and the population of concerned areas and deprive them of their basis of existence.
2. Whos in play?
1 Kamminga, M. T. (2015). Company Responses to Human Rights Reports: An Empirical Analysis.

2 Friends of the Earth Europe - Corporate Accountability
60

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), i.e. the responsibility of enterprises for their impact on society,
relies on voluntary efforts by companies.
In the field of human rights, labour standards and environment, the most relevant (non-binding) standards
include the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights3, the UN Global Compact programme,
the ILOs MNE Declaration, the OECD Guidelines for MNEs, ISO 26000, as well as the Voluntary Principles
(for the mining industry).
Efforts to increase transparency include the EUs 2014 Directive on Non-Financial Reporting (to be transposed by December 2016), under which large companies must disclose information relating to environmental, labour, corruption and human rights matters. Furthermore, NGOs engage in naming and shaming by publicly alleging human rights violations by corporations.4
Mechanisms of corporate accountability give the victims who suffered violations of defined rights the
right to sue MNEs in their seat state.5 From a legal perspective, this raises questions of extraterritoriality
and may require piercing the corporate veil.
As an additional measure, agreements between unions and MNEs can produce binding obligations for
companies.6
A successful example of consumer activism was the anti-sweatshop boycott campaign against Nike products.7
4. Food for thought

What is the social responsibility of companies engaging in cross-border activities, and how far does
it reach through a global value chain or chains of subcontractors?
To what extent are governments of states in which harmful business practices occur and that are unable or unwilling to enforce human rights, labour and environmental standards constitutive of such
problems?
Are mechanisms of corporate accountability necessary, and which specific rights should be enforceable? To what extent is a limitation of liability through corporate structures legitimate?
3 Cable, V., Hague, W., (2013) Good Business: Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human
Rights, Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common-wealth Affairs by Command of
Her Majesty, September 2013, Cm 8695.
4 Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
5 De Schutter, O., McCorquodale, R., Skinner, G., (2013), The Third Pillar: Extraterritorial Obligations and Access to
Judicial Remedy, The International Corporate Accountability Roundtable (ICAR).
6 The Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh
7 Birch, S., (2012), How activism forced Nike to change its ethical game, July, 2012, The Guardian
61
Should such mechanisms be subsidiary to proceedings in the states where the harmful practices occur? Under which conditions should an MNE be held liable and what should be the legal consequences of violations?
To what extent could accountability mechanisms deter MNEs from the states in which they have their
seat or engage in cross-border activity? Is there a danger of a race to the bottom of regulatory standards between states competing for foreign investment and cross-border business activity?
What role should product-related measures (import restrictions depending on origin and production) play, given the importance of free-flowing trade?
What role should CSR (and state policies promoting CSR) play in increasing corporate responsibility
and accountability?
What specific challenges do mechanisms of corporate accountability pose for SMEs and to what extent should and could these be accommodated?
5. Keywords
Corporate accountability, Alien Tort Statute, MNEs, global value chain, subcontracting, corporate veil,
piercing/lifting the corporate veil, consumer activism, ethical consumerism, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), environmental and social governance (ESG).
6. Useful links
Macdonald, K, Marshall, S., (2011), What is corporate accountability?, The Internati-onal Corporate
Accountability Roundtable (ICAR).
For NGOs operating in the field, see:
International Roundtable for Corporate Accountability (ICAR).
European Coalition for Corporate Justice (ECCJ).
De Schutter, O., McCorquodale, R., Skinner, G., (2013), The Third Pillar: Extraterritorial Obligations and
Access to Judicial Remedy, The International Corporate Accoun-tability Roundtable (ICAR).
ECCJ (2015), The EUs Business: Recommended actions for the EU and its Member States to ensure
access to judicial remedy for business-related human rights impacts.
Grear, A., Weston B. H., (2015), The Betrayal of Human Rights and the Urgency of Universal Corporate
Accountability: Reflections on a Post-Kiobel Lawscape, Human Rights Law Review, 15(1), 2144.
US Alien Tort Statute
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Section: Business and Human Rights, (including the standards and reports referenced on the page).
Short video introduction to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
International Labor Organisation (ILO), (2003), Corporate social responsibility: Myth or reality?, Labour Education 2003/1, No. 130.
62

Committee on economic and
monetary affairs - econ
Financial illiteracy in times of increasing over-indebtedness of households: How can
European citizens be empowered through financial education to leverage their own
resources best?
Chairperson: Theodor Hall (CH)

Through the years of crisis-ridden Europe over-indebtedness in households has risen, reaching 11.4%
across EU Member States in 2011 and growing ever since. In Greece loan repayments were overdue in
35% of loans taken out in 2014.1 Over-indebtedness leads to debt spirals, forcing a disproportionately
large amount of people into dire measures such as covering up their debts by taking out further credit.
Furthermore, small-level household over-indebtedness can potentially contribute to the destabilisation
of the greater banking system. While the causes thereof are varied, the role of widespread financial illiteracy is impossible to ignore. A lack of understanding of the intricacies of loans and debt payment are at
the core of the problem for many affected, causing them to turn to solutions such as payday loan scams
out of desperation.
2. Whos in play?
Working class families and young entrepreneurs have traditionally been the most common victims,
however in the crisis the issue has rapidly threatened to spread into middle class households as well.2
Debt advisory and Member States educational institutions are the main players in fighting financial
illiteracy3.
On the EU level there are consultative organisations such as the European Economic and Social Committee, alongside international organisations like the OECD or the European Financial Inclusion Network.
1 Alleweldt, F., Kara, S., Graham, R., Kempson, E., Collard, S., Stamp S., (2013), The over-indebtedness of European
households: updated mapping of the situation, nature and causes, effects and initiatives for alleviating its impact
Part 1: Synthesis of findings, Civic Consulting.
2 Falanga, A., (2015), The menace of over-indebtedness for the EUs middle class, The Broker Online.
3 Dubois H., (2011), Household Debt Advisory Services in the EU, Eurofound.
63

Debt advice services have been set up all over the EU with systems differing between Member States.
Since the European economic crisis in particular, Member States have, alongside international organisations, conducted surveys and set up initiatives4 to increase citizens comprehension of economic factors and intelligent money management. The European Commission has set up various initiatives, such
as Dolceta 17 or the European Database for Financial Education (EDFE) and convened an expert group
on financial education (EGFE). The OECD has long looked to fight financial illiteracy, for instance via the
OECD Financial Education Project5.
Many free websites, e.g. the Khan Academy, have been set up, providing a free easy platform for people to learn to understand the essentials of economics.
4. Food for thought

When analysing households over-indebtedness, the differences in education and social situation come
to the forefront. On a cultural level the approach and societal view towards loans and indebtedness also
widely varies.
The most affected households remain low-income families, single parents and young adults. Furthermore, in the EU, education is a competence where the EU can only support Member States and with such
differing levels of success in educative measures, one must keep in mind the discrepancies between
Member States and the limited influence the EU ultimately has on an institutional level.
To what degree is a high school curriculum effective and sufficient? What further steps could be taken?
Is financial education in schools enough as a long-term solution or is it necessary to take further action in
adult education?
5. Keywords
Household Over-indebtedness, financial literacy, debt advice, financial education, debt restructuring,
credit culture, European economic crisis.
4 Measuring Financial Literacy: Questionnaire and Guidance Notes for Conducting an Internationally Comparable
Survey of Financial Literacy, (2011), OECD - International Network on Financial Education.
5 Financial Education Project, (2004), OECD.
64
6. Useful links
Falanga, A., (2015), The menace of over-indebtedness for the EUs middle class, The Broker Online.
Comparato, G., Domurath, I., Micklitz, W., H., (2010), The Over-indebtedness of European Consumers
a View from Six Countries, European University Institute - Department of Law, European Regulatory
Private Law Project (ERC-ERPL - 08).
Wisniwski, S., (2010), Over-indebtedness: Evidence, Causes and Consequences, European Fund for
Southeast Europe (EFSE).
Financial Education, European Banking Federation (EBF).
Segmenting the over-indebted population of the UK, (2013), The Money Advice Service.
Kadlec, D., (2013), Financial Education Is All the Rage but Does it Work?, Financial Eduction, Time
Magazine.
S.H., (2014), Financial literacy: Back to basics, The Economist.
Average UK household to be 10,000 in debt by end of 2016, (2015), The Guardian.
Financial Education, (2015), European Commission - Banking and Finance.
Financial Literacy Competencies for Adult Learners.
Gimein, M., (2013), The Worlds Worst Spendthrifts Arent Who You Think, Bloomberg Business.
65

social affairs I - EMPL I
Europe in need of jobs and growth: What should the role of start-up culture be in
fostering a new wave of entrepreneurship and stimulating economic development in
Europe?
Chairperson: Julia Fahy (IE)

Small Medium Enterprises (SME) are the backbone of the EU economy, they could be the vehicle to restoring growth in the EU. 1
The importance of entrepreneurship and its significance in modern society is widely recognised2. Europe
that is in need of jobs and growth is in need of entrepreneurs, willing to risk pursuing their own business
ventures and in turn fostering increased employment. When focused in jobs and successful start-ups,
growth is more sustainable and optimistic than that determined simply by output3. Employment translates to real people and real lives in an economy.
Startups and entrepreneurship are a promising way of creating employment fuelling the European economy. Can the EU encourage greater participation in essentially a private sector issue? The European Commission has recognised the front line in promoting SMEs to be at the regional and local level. What
should the EU do to ensure that this issue is tackled across all Member States and implemented most
effectively? In addition, what can the civil society do?
1 Study on Support Services for SMEs in International Business 2013 European Commission, Directorate General
Enterprise and Industry, 2013
2 Why are Entrepreneurs good for the Economy?, Investopedia - Personal Finance
3 Evaluation of Enterprise Supports for start-up and entrepreneurships, (2014), Forfas - Irelands policy advisory
board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation, p.4.
66
2. Whos in play?

With policy implemented thus far, the main aims of the EU in promoting SMEs and entrepreneurs have
been to simplify and reduce start-up costs, and to address the stigma attached to failure.
In focusing on these aims, the Small Business Act for Europe has been facilitating Member States in sharing
experiences and encouraging of entrepreneurial attitudes by developing a database of good practices4.
Think Small First Principle, along with the Simplification of Start-up procedures, have been implemented in
the EU to encourage thoughtful consideration of SMEs in the creation of policy. We are currently working
towards the targets set out by the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan. Are Member States acting efficiently
and effectively to achieve these goals?
4 A good practice is generally accepted to illustrate an approach that deserves the attention and interest of other
policy makers or practitioners.
67
The European Commission recognises that many SMEs fail shortly upon founding, and the stigma and
difficulties faced by formerly bankrupt entrepreneurs are such that many are deterred from re-starting a
new venture5. They insist that many successful companies exist because their founder did not quit at the
first hurdle6. DG Enterprise and Industry has created a platform from which entrepreneurs can gain advice
as to how to overcome this obstacle.
Organisations such as the European Entrepreneurship Foundation have been providing educational programmes for budding entrepreneurs with the aim of improving the environment in which they start and
grow businesses.
4. Food for thought

There are many cultural factors that discourage people from going into business, particularly the stigma
attached with failure how can we develop a culture of entrepreneurship, and make the prospect of failing less daunting to potential entrepreneurs?
Furthermore, lack of education in essential skills is one of the main hindrances of young entrepreneurs
how can we combat this barrier to increase the confidence and competence of European citizens? How
can this ground-up approach be integrated and adopted across all European countries?
Finally, at a regional level, how can SMEs and young entrepreneurs gain access to vital funding to make
their ambitions a reality. How can we allow them to compete in a market of highly funded and established
enterprises?
5. Keywords
Sustainable growth, Small-Medium Enterprises, entrepreneurship, grass-root project, stigma of failure.
6. Useful links
Introduction to entrepreneurship
Ekmekiolu, E., (2012), The Impact of Entrepreneurship on Economic Growth, 4th International Congress on Entrepreneurship, Kyrgyzstan Turkey Manas University.
Transport and Environment, Annual Report 2014.
Speech in defence of entrepreneurship - Christian Lindner.
5 A Second Chance for Entrepreneurs, (2011) Report of the Expert Group - European Commission, Directorate
General for Enterprise and Industry.
6 What can we do? A Second Chance for Entrepreneurs - European Commission, Directorate General for Enterprise
and Industry.
68
EU Policy
Models to reduce the disproportionate regulatory burden on SMEs (2007), Report of the Expert
Group, European Commission - Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry.
Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry, European Commission.
Promoting International Activities of SMEs, European Commission - Directorate General for Enterprise
and Industry.
Good Practices in SME Policy, European Commission - Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry.
Study on Support Services for SMEs in International Business, (2013), ESCIP Consortium, European
Commission - Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry.
Education and Entrepreneurship
Parenting and Education that helps would be entrepreneurs flourish TED Talk.
Study on Support Services for SMEs in International Business, (2013), ESCIP Consortium, European
Commission - Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry.
Entrepreneurship and failure
Brokaw, L., (2015), Real Innovators dont fear failure, MIT Sloan Management Review.
A second chance to entrepreneurs, European Commission - Directorate General for Enterprise and
Industry.
Entrepreneurship around the world
Pofeldt, E., (2013), U.S Entrepreneurship Hits Record High, Forbes Magazine.
Global Entrepreneurship Development Institute.
Ernst and Young G20 Entrepreneurship Barometer.
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Education Impact.
69

Committee on employment and
social affairs II - EMPL II
Staggering youth unemployment rates in stagnating European economies: What
should be done to increase young peoples chances on the labour market?
Chairperson: Franziska Maier (DE)

Youth unemployment causes a loss to innovation and economic growth, poses a danger to social coherence and health, and leads to a fear of the future. Young employees bound to shoulder the burden of an
ageing population are more vulnerable than their adult counterparts, particularly during times of economic hardship: in the last four years, the youth unemployment rate rose three times quicker than the adult
unemployment rate.1 Many young people work in part-time or temporary jobs involuntarily.2
1 Banerji, A., Blavy, R., Saksonovs, S., Lin, H., (2014), IMF Staff Discussion Note: Youth Unemployment in Advanced
Economies in Europe, European Department and Research Department, p.7.
2 The Challenge of Youth Unemployment Visualization, (2010), World Economic Forum.
70
The 7.5 million Europeans under 25 neither in employment, nor in education or training (NEET) are unevenly distributed across Europe with youth unemployment gaps of nearly 50 percentage points between
Spain and Greece on the one hand and Germany on the other.
While a majority of education providers claim to equip their students with sufficient practical skills, only
one third of employers agree. This so-called skills mismatch and lack of Education-to-Employers communication (E2E) is reported to be especially grave for countries with high unemployment rates.3
2. Whos in play?
Member States are the authors of social and employment policy, with the EU holding a coordinating
function.
Low-skilled youth and youth living in disadvantaged areas are more vulnerable to youth unemployment than their well-educated counterparts4 and often fall into structural employment
The European Trade Union Confederation collects national labour unions to lobby for employees
interests.
EURES is the European Job Mobility Portal where employees and employers from all over Europe can
interact.
The civil society initiative Youth Speak by AIESEC gives young people a voice in employment and
education policy.

Under the Europe 2020 strategy, the Youth on the Move package and the Agenda for new skills and jobs
focus on increasing youth mobility and implementing a flexicurity system respectively.
In the crisis, the Youth Unemployment Package and its successor, the Youth Employment Initiative have
introduced the Youth Guarantee scheme, the Quality Framework for Traineeships, and the European Alliance for Apprenticeships.
The EU Skills Panorama gathers skills, needs and labour market developments in one central place.
The European Parliament is pushing for debating a common European Unemployment Insurance.
3 Coughlan, S., (2014), Skills gap damaging young and employers across Europe, BBC.
4 Challenges Facing European Labour Markets: Is a Skill Upgrade the Appropriate Instrument?, (2012), OECD, Intereconomics, DOI: 10.1007/s10272-012-0402-2, p. 7.
71
Companies like Ernst & Young and Nestl have launched a private Alliance for Youth:
Ernst & Youngs contribution to the Alliance for Youth
4. Food for thought

Whose support is necessary to improve youth employability in the EU?
Why are some groups of young people more vulnerable to youth unemployment than others?
What does education and training need to achieve to qualify youth for employment?
How can the demand for young labour be incentivised? Will economic or social measures be more
effective?
Will making the labour market flexible or changing high social protection better help to support
young people? To answer this question, it may be necessary to differentiate between protection standards and active labour market policies.
Does it make sense to improve EU-wide labour mobility or to increase employment opportunities
regionally? What role does the issue of brain drain play?
Which of these questions need a pan-European, and which a regional solution? Should the EU build
on the idea of a Social Europe, or should employment policy remain a national matter due to high
differentiation between countries?

72
5. Keywords
Youth unemployment, skills gap, factor mobility, dual education, active labour market policy, social Europe, brain drain.
6. Useful links
Youth unemployment in Europe, 2014, Euranet, 2014.
Economics Help: Reasons for Youth Unemployment, 2012 - including an overview of important terminology for analysing youth unemployment.
Programmes in place
An overview of the Youth Guarantee Scheme, European Youth Forum.
A video on the Alliance for Youth, Nestl.
Youngest MEP: EU unemployment schemes have no value, (2014), Euractiv.com.
Auditors unaware if Youth Guarantee has provided a single job yet, (2015), Euractiv.com.
Approaches to tackling youth unemployment
Education to employment: Getting Europes youth into work, (2014), McKinsey and Company Report.
Benoit, A., (2014), Three quick views on how to solve youth unemployment, Bloomberg.com.
Berlingieri, F., Sprietsma, M., (2014), Youth Unemployment in Europe - Appraisal and Policy Options,
Executive Summary, Robert Bosch Stiftung, Centre for European Economic Research/ Zentrum fr Europische Wirtschaftsforschung GmbH (ZEW).
Totaro, L., (2014), Italys Renzi Wins Vote on Controversial Labor Law Change, Bloomberg Business.
Bonoli, G., (2010), The political economy of active labour market policy, Working Papers on the Reconciliation of Work and Welfare in Europe, REC-WP 01/2010.
73
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of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held
responsible for any use which may be made of the
information contained therein.
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Tampere 2015 - 79th International

Session of the European Youth Parliament

Cluster 111 - Economy

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Committee on Foreign Affairs - AFET

Committee on Culture and Education - CULT

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Committee on Womens Rights and

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Committee on Environment, Public Health and

Committee on Environment, Public Health and

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy - ITRE

Committee on Transport and Tourism - TRAN

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Cluster 111 - Economy

Committee on Human Rights - DROI

Committee on Economic and

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Committee on Employment and

Committee on Employment and

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

From individual responsibilities to collective impacts

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

1. Why does it matter?

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

3. What has already been tried?

4. Food for thought

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Estonian Internet Voting System, (2014), Estonian National Electoral Committee.

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Annex 2: Internet use and frequency of use, 2014 (% of individuals)

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

1. Why does it matter?

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

3. What has already been tried?

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

4. Food for thought

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Source: NoBullying.com, Statistics for 20143

1 Cyberbullying suicide: Italy shocked by Amnesia Ask.fm case, (2014), BBC.

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Common Forms of Cyber-bullying5

5 Cyber-Bullying, Beyond the Bully.

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

3. What has been tried

4. Food for thought

9 Cyber-Bullying, Analysis of the Issue.

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

1. Why does it matter?

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

3. What has already been tried?

Source: Gender Pay Gap Statistics, (2015), European Commission - Eurostat.

4. Food for Thought

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session

1. Why does it matter?

Tampere 2015 - 79th International Session