Model European Parliament
Baltic Sea Region
Riga, Latvia, 2016
Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
Dear delegates, presidents, teachers and guests,
It is my utmost pleasure to invite you all to the lovely city of inspiration – Riga. Having advantageous
access to the Baltic Sea, this capital is home of one of three Baltic states, Latvia. Being considered one of
the best weekend travel destinations in the world, you will have the privilege of experiencing this
unique city for not only two, but five consecutive days. Over the course of these days, you will obtain
more knowledge and experience than you ever thought was possible in this time-scheme. The
environment is set and the city of inspiration is waiting.
During your stay in Riga, you as delegates, will in five different committees be acknowledging current
problems in the EU and later discussing, debating and agreeing upon solutions to these issues. These
solutions are then to be defended in the General assembly, where other delegates will challenge and
criticize what you have put forward. All this, with the guidance of your assigned Committee Presidents.
In addition to sharing your perspectives and your thoughts, you will also be receiving cultural knowledge
during your sojourn in Riga. You will have the privilege of taking part in different activities where your
will be acquainted with both Latvian culture and your fellow delegates.
By taking part in MEP BSR 2016 in Riga, you are unfolding and opening yourself to an experience that
will not soon be forgotten. Having previously attended multiple sessions in recent years, I can honestly
admit and confirm that MEP truly is an amazing experience and definitely one you shall take advantage
of. Remember, you the delegates are an exclusive group of individuals who have been hand-selected by
teachers, mentors and other authoritarian figures to be a part of a memorable and advantageous
experience. An experience few have the chance to be a part of. See your sojourn in Riga as an
opportunity to obtain knowledge, acquaintance yourself with a foreign country and meet new friends
from different cultures. Be curious, be open and be prepared.
Best of luck,
Edwin von Krusenstjerna
President of the General Assembly
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
MEP BSR Session in Riga, Latvia
March 29 – April 3, 2016
Program:
Tuesday March 29
Before 18.00
Arrival of delegates and teachers/directors in Riga
Travel to Hotel Primo. 62 Nometnu street, Riga, LV-1012, Latvia
Phone: +371 25 888 777, www.primohotel.lv
Public transport bus No.22: (Airport - Abrenes street). To get on the bus look for bus stop located
opposite the terminal behind the car par P1. Frequency 10 – 30 minutes, journey time about 30
minutes. Price – 2.00 euro (directly to bus driver).
18.00
Registration of delegates and teachers/directors
Teachers/directors stay at Hotel Radi Un Draugi,
Mārstaļu iela 3, Rīga, LV-1050
http://hotelradiundraugi.lv/en/
20.00
Dinner for teachers/directors at Hotel Radi Un Draugi
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
Wednesday March 30
10.00-11.00
Opening Ceremony at the National Library of Latvia, Mukusalas 3, Riga
www.lnb.lv
Delegates and teachers/directors have to present at 9.30 for security procedures. All participants must
bring ID with picture.
Speakers:

Mr. Dan Gustafsson, Chairman of the Board of MEP BSR

Ms Marja Kokare, Headmaster English Grammar School tbc

Ms. Lolita Cigane, Chairman European Affairs Committee, Saeima/
Latvian Parliament

Lord Mayor, Riga City Council tbc

Heads of Delegations
11.00-12.00
Teambuilding/traveling to school/guides: cps and Latvian students
12.00-13.00
Lunch in committees at The English Grammar School
Zvardes iela 1, Riga, LV-1004
www.rag.lv
14.00-17.00
Committee meetings at The English Grammar School
15.00-17.00
MEP BSR Board Meeting for teachers/directors (location to be announced)
18.00
Dinner for students at Lido AS, Krasta street 76, Riga, LV-1019, Latvia
Teachers have dinner on their own account
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
Thursday March 31
09.00-16.00
Committee meetings continued at The National Library
Resolutions to be handed in at 16.00
12.00 – 13.00
Lunch at NL
16.00-18.00
Correction panel, printing
18.00
Dinner for students at Lido AS, Krasta street 76, Riga, LV-1019, Latvia
20.00-21.30
Cultural Event/get together in downtown Riga
Friday April 1
09.00-12.00
Delegation Meetings and lobbying at the National Library
Handing in amendments and textual changes
Guidance and instruction meeting with Committee Presidents
Lunch downtown on own account
14.00-17.00
Sightseeing in Riga for students and teachers/directors
Visit to the Latvian Parliament, Saeima
www.saeima.lv
All participants must bring ID with picture
Free time
18.00
Dinner for students at (tbc)
19.00
Dinner for teachers/directors (location to be announced)
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
Saturday April 2
10.30
General Assembly at the National Library of Latvia
3 Mukusalas ilea, Riga, www.lnb.lv
Delegates and teachers have to present at 10.00
All participants must bring ID with picture
Speakers:

Mr. Jan Widberg, Director, Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Latvia

Mr. Edwin von Krusenstjerna, President of the GA
10.45
Two resolutions in the morning (coffee break in between)
13.00
Lunch
13.30
General Assembly continued
Three resolutions in the afternoon (coffee breaks in between)
16.30
Closing Ceremony
Speakers:
18.00-20.00

President of the General Assembly

Ms. Nina Nørgaard, Administrative Coordinator of MEP BSR
Farewell reception and buffet for all (location to be announced)
Hosted by Riga City Council
Sunday April 3
Departure all delegations
www.mepbsr.org
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
Issues MEP BSR Riga, March 29 – April 3, 2016
1. Committee on Foreign Affairs / CP Sherzod Rakhmatov
The question of how the EU might play a significant role in the Syrian Civil War in order to reach
an effective opposition to ISIS and the growing terrorist threat of Islam founded terror and to
establish a sound foundation for a stable future in the region. And if so in what way?How could
this result in a relief of the terrorist attacks in Europe?
2. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs / CP Sara-Estelle
Gößwein
The question of how the EU might take responsibility for the imbalanced and increasing
immigration into member states? The Schengen Treaty is endangered by a lack of unity within
the EU to control the borders of EU, so that a growing number of countries close their national
borders, like Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, Austria and also in the north (Sweden, Denmark).
3. Committee on Energy, Industry and Research / CP Johanne Thoen Hansen
The question of how to ensure a more secure and sustainable common energy system in Europe.
Are green alternatives to gas and oil imports a successful way towards this goal? Can nuclear
power and/or shale-fuels increase energy efficiency and independence?
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
4. Committee on Women´s Rights and Gender Equality/ CP Victor H. B.
Christoffersen
The question of how to respect and protect women at a time when values are challenged by
cultural/religious beliefs opposed to the rights they have gained in e.g. western societies? After
the incidents in Germany on New Year´s night, what measures are needed to defend these
rights?
5. Committee on Culture and Education / CP Attila Kaplan
The question of how to empower young people to become active citizens and to have more say
in the solution and decision making process in their societies and in the EU. What role
can/should social media play in this process, and how can they help in overcoming EU
skepticism?
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
Delegations
Austria (accompanying teacher: Petra Buchinger)
Charlotte Illes
Luis Prenninger
[email protected]
[email protected]
Belgium (accompanying teacher: Paul van Turenhout)
Emile Dupont
Victor Schuddinck
Mattias Niels
Manon Vanvinckenroye
Witse Konings
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Denmark (accompanying teachers: Nina Nørgaard and Hans Lindemann)
Jeppe Solgaard Agertoft
Malte Prip Nikolaisen
Anna Lia Scharling Tromer Dragsdahl
Luca Yuval Dimsits Raymond
Clara Grønborg Juul
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Finland (accompanying teacher: Sarah Mattila)
Lucas Hasselblatt
Sylvia Niemi-Kaija
Juuso Rantanen
Aino Majanen
Sanni Tikkanen
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Germany (accompanying teacher: Steffi Kruschel)
Helene Fuchs
Samuel Sonderhoff
Marlo Lindeskog
Lena Schrader
Paula Grote
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
9
Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
Latvia (accompanying teachers: Maija Kokare)
Rojs Amsons
Anete Buzoka
Armands Daniels Lazdins
Sandra Porite
Anrijs Rode
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Norway (accompanying teacher: Knut Gundersen)
Linn Zetterberg Huser
Kaja Guttormsgaard
Ingrid Egset Hames
Neha Kiyani
Liepa Adomaityte
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Sweden (accompanying teacher: Dan Gustafsson)
Amanda Van den Tempel Almaas
Jonas Hammami Stenlund
Oscar Angestav
Sindra Liebe
Kalle Lekman
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
Organizers
Organizer
Hans Welblund Lindemann
[email protected]
Administrative Coordinator
Nina Nørgaard
[email protected]
in cooperation with the Danish Cultural Institute in Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania.
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
President of the General Assembly
GA President Edwin von Krusenstjerna
[email protected]
Committee Presidents
1. Committee on Foreign Affairs
CP – Sherzod Rakhmatov
[email protected]
2. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
CP – Sara-Estelle Barbara Gößwein
[email protected]
3. Committee on Energy, Industry and Research
CP – Johanne Thoen Hansen
[email protected]
4. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
CP – Victor H. B. Christoffersen
[email protected]
5. Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
CP – Attila Kaplan
[email protected]
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
Participating schools:
Austria
Theresianische Akademie
www.theresianum.ac.at
Belgium
Paridaensinstituut
www.paridaens.be
KA Lokeren
www.atheneumlokeren.be
KA Koekelberg
www.kakoekelberg.be
Virga Jessecollege
www.virgajessecollege.be
Paridaensinstituut
www.paridaens.be
Denmark
Gefion Gymnasium
www.gefion-gym.dk
Rysensteen Gymnasium
www.rysensteen.dk
Sankt Annæ Gymnasium
www.sag.dk
Finland
Gymnasiet Grankulla samskola
www.ggs.fi
Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu
www.syk.fi
Kauniaisten lukio
www.kauniaistenlukio.fi
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
Germany
Anton Philipp Reclam Gymnasium
www.reclamgymnasium.de
Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Gymnasium Postdam
www.helmholtzschule.de
Kieler Gelehrtenschule
www.kieler-gelehrtenschule.de
Latvia
Riga English Grammar School
www.rag.lv
Norway
Nesbru Videregående Skole
www.nesbru.vgs.no
Sweden
Viktor Rydberg Gymnasium Djursholm
www.vrg.se
Viktor Rydberg Gymnasium Odenplan
www.vrg.se
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
1. Committee on Foreign Affairs
Committee President: Sherzod Rakhmatov, Germany
Delegates:
Emile Dupont
Malte Prip Nikolaisen
Lucas Hasselblatt
Helene Fuchs
Rojs Amsons
Liepa Adomaityte
Kalle Lekman
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany
Latvia
Norway
Sweden
2. Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Committee President: Sara-Estelle Barbara Gößwein, Germany
Delegates:
Luis Prenninger
Victor Schuddinck
Anna Lia Scharling Tromer Dragsdahl
Sylvia Niemi-Kaija
Lena Schrader
Anete Buzoka
Kaja Guttormsgaard
Jonas Hammami Stenlund
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany
Latvia
Norway
Sweden
3. Committee on Energy, Industry and Research
Committee President: Johanne Thoen Hansen, Norway
Delegates:
Mattias Niels
Luca Yuval Dimsits Raymond
Juuso Rantanen
Paula Grote
Armands Daniels Lazdins
Ingrid Egset Hames
Oscar Angestav
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany
Latvia
Norway
Sweden
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
4. Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Committee President: Victor H. B. Christoffersen, Denmark
Delegates:
Manon Vanvinckenroye
Clara Grønborg Juul
Aino Majanen
Marlo Lindeskog
Sandra Porite
Neha Kiyani
Amanda Van den Tempel Almaas
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany
Latvia
Norway
Sweden
5. Committee on Culture and Education
Committee President: Attila Kaplan,, Austria
Delegates:
Charlotte Illes
Witse Konings
Jeppe Solgaard Agertoft
Sanni Tikkanen
Samuel Sonderhoff
Anrijs Rode
Linn Zetterberg Huser
Sindra Liebe
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany
Latvia
Norway
Sweden
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
The Model European Parliament (MEP) concept and
methodology
The Model European Parliament program is a leadership program for youth in the 28 EU countries, set
up in 1994 with a secretariat in The Hague, NL. The aim of the program is to educate young people at
high school level about European integration and cooperation, and to develop their understanding of
common issues as well as provide them with knowledge about EU’s institutions. The program develops
political awareness and an understanding for Europe’s cultural diversity.
The MEP program is successfully expanding into regional organizations in several parts of Europe. In
2004 a regional organization was set up in the Baltic Sea Region by schools/institutions in Finland,
Sweden, Lithuania and DK, and at present we have been joined by schools/institutions in Estonia, Latvia,
Kaliningrad, Russia, Poland, Germany, Iceland and Norway as well. The program is a training ground for
future leaders and politicians as well as for talented students who share an interest in European issues.
The vision of the MEP Baltic Sea Organization is:
-
Build relationships between youth in the Baltic Sea Region
Penetrate common Baltic Sea and Nordic issues
Give insight into each individual’s potential to affect society’s development
Focus on trade, industry, politics and culture and social affairs
Give insight into modern democracy and the parliamentary system, using the European
Parliament as an example
Develop debating skills in large international forums
The working language during the MEP is English. 10 students are chosen to represent each member
country, and together they comprise a delegation. Each delegate represents his/her native country in a
committee, which discusses international issues, and each committee has a specified subject to discuss.
The common goal is to write a resolution that they can support and defend in the General Assembly (the
youth parliament).
The MEP program is also a cultural and social event, which gives the participants the opportunity to
experience the diversity of the countries around the Baltic Sea and be part of numerous social events,
such as teambuilding, sightseeing along with living with a family in the host country.
The sessions take place twice a year in the Baltic Sea Region and since the start of the organization they
have been hosted by Stockholm, Copenhagen, Bremen, Tallinn, Copenhagen/Malmoe, Helsinki, Riga, St.
Petersburg, Iława/Torun, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Kaliningrad, Vilnius, Gdansk/Gdynia, Copenhagen,
Leipzig, Reykjavik, Bruges/Blankenberge, Tartu, Stockholm, Helsinki and Oslo.
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Riga
March 29th – April 3th, 2016
Pedagogically the MEP program focuses on:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
Individual ICT introduction to EU institutions and to specific topics
Study program before the sessions in class/groups
Workshops/committee work run by experienced students and delegate
Project work/written resolutions in English
Debating and rhetoric skills
Intercultural skills and competencies
The experience of an advanced and realistic role play (as a learning method)
The MEP BSR office is located in Copenhagen, DK, and run by an administrative coordinator. More
information about MEP BSR and sessions are to be found at www.mepbsr.org . Enclosed here please
find material and guidelines in preparation of MEP conferences at the national, regional and
international levels.
For further information, please contact Administrative Coordinator Nina Nørgaard
[email protected]
/Final version March 2016
www.mepbsr.org
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