Please post any tips that could help us find the deer on this page.

Rumour No. 1: The two delegates in the photo on the left (L. D’Eri, M. Zanotto) have kidnapped the deer.

They were excited but at the same time frightened, because this is the day they have been waiting for so long. Now they will have the opportunity to discuss, defend, attack and vote for the Resolutions they have written. But every GA has to begin with a fancy Opening Ceremony. There must always be important guests with inspiring speeches.

Our Opening Ceremony started with the heart-warming speech of the Mayor of this amazing city Cervia – Doctor Roberto Zoffoli. He reminded the Delegates of the importance of our association’s aims and how proud he and his staff are of hosting the NSC of EYP Italy in their town. He mentioned also that Cervia is hosting other initiatives as well.

According to the programme, two other guests were supposed to have a speech, but unfortunately they weren’t present, so the Opening Ceremony proceeded to the next speaker, the beloved President of EYP Italy, Doctor Federico Fasol. He shared his personal experience and view on what EYP actually is. He expressed how proud he is of this session, the first Italian NSC to be run only by youngsters. Until last year, EYP Italy had always been ruled by teachers.

Last but not least, Tiago Machado – the President of XXIV NSC of EYP Italy. Tiago precisely told us how many days he has been in EYP… like 1800 days? And shared his hopes of spending 1800 more days involved. He mentioned that it is indeed important to get selected for an International Session or Forum, but how above all it is truly important to fully experience these amazing days of the session and the upcoming General Assembly. By sharing his experience in EYP, he showed us that one could continue attending EYP sessions, regardless of the selection results.

Tiago concluded his speech and with that the Opening Ceremony officially ended. This was the beginning of the General Assembly.

We wish you all very fruitful debates and to have the best luck of getting selected for an International Session or Forum. But most of all, we wish you spend these days having real fun with your new EYP friends.

How long have you played the guitar?
At the beginning I started on my own… this was 6 years ago. I have been playing seriously for 3 years now, since I signed up for guitar lessons.
How old are you now?
16 years old.
What is your favourite subject in school?
Biology, Italian literature and writing.
How did you learn about EYP?
My English teacher told me about it last year. Unfortunately I couldn’t participate because of school assignments. Actually, I was able to go for the GA day… to see what it is all about.
Tell us something we don’t know about your chairs Robin and Sofia?
I knew Robin before the session. He used to go at my school. I met Sofia yesterday. She looks really happy about what she’s doing. She has fun with us. Robin as well… they are really good chairs.
If you had one more day to live on this Planet, what would you do?
Tough question! I guess I would satisfy my wish-list: I would organise a huge concert in which I would be the guitarist. I would say things which I would have never had the courage to say. I would spend my last hours with my girlfriend.
Would you like to attend other EYP sessions?
Yes, of course! I have been impressed by this one! How people work together… it is so nice to see boys and girls acting as if they are part of the official European Parliament.
If you could be the President of Italy, what would you change?
First, I would show the people that I am perfect for the job. I would interact more with the people of Italy. I would get involve in the actual problems of the population.
If you could say one thing to your fellow Delegates, that you believe can change their lives, what would it be?
It could sound stupid but the first thing that came up to my mind is: “We are here, because we have been chosen to represent our schools, our cities… Just keep this up! We are doing a really good job!” I believe that most of the people here can really be involved in the real European Parliament! They simply have that potential.
If you could have one wish, which you know will definitely come true, what would it be?
It would be to have the power of being always listened by people. Being understood.

PHILIP TARSIA
European Project Manager and teacher in Liceo G. Galilei – Trieste

Philip Tarsia has been active in EYP Italy for 10 years, now. He is the co-founder of the local EYP Committee, in Trieste.
His daughter – Ludovine Tarsia – has been also active in EYP even on international level. She has been one of the Journalists at the 60th International Session of the European Youth Parliament, held in Stockholm last spring.

 
Can you tell us something we don’t know about Lorenzo?
Lorenzo has always taken part in any initiatives in the school. He is always very willing to cooperate and is open-minded. He is also able to socialize, to coordinate conflict resolutions very precisely and is one of the best students in the class. He is taking classes in strategy of public speaking in school as well. He is simply a good student in general!
How does your school choose delegates for the National Sessions?
It is a very natural process. We have a lot of similar projects in our school. Most of the delegates have participated in different debates and conflict resolutions. And EYP manages to fit perfectly in our educational program. That is the process of awakening their interests in European issues. But a future delegate is not necessarily the best student, because there is much more to the selection of delegates than good marks.
You have been working with students for so many years. Can you share with us the secret of your success?
One thing which is very important to consider is that they are the subject of learning. They should be exposed to variety of activities, so that they could make their own choices of what they are interested in, what they want to learn. It is not just giving them some knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, etc. They are not only passive receptors! The whole teaching process is extremely important, because we create individuals! Involving them into the teaching process is a practice of active citizenship.

Should the word ‘coffee’ or the image below not speak to you, let us do it:

Coffee is probably the most popular drink at every EYP session. Especially after those few hours of sleep, coffee might just be the only thing that can wake you up and motivate your body for Committee Work. If nothing else, I am confident that some of you will realise the pricelessness of this beverage on the days of the General Assembly.

Now, the birds of the night shall help us generalise the right dosage of the brown gold. Click to enlarge:

Nothing lets you feel the spirit of a decade more than the way it sounded. What better way to understand the swinging skirts and shiny shoes than these, five classics from the fifties – guaranteed to get you in the mood.

1950 – Nat King Cole Mona Lisa

One might argue she was the first Italian Diva, way before Loren & Co. At least Nat King Cole thought as much.

1951 – Perry Como If

Again Italy meets America, this time in the smooth vocals of Perry Como.

1952 - Leroy Anderson Blue Tango

In a world being swept away by swing and rock’n'roll, the tango of thirties and forties Argentina heaved its last sighs until General Peron was removed from power, in 1955. Despite the “Dark Age of Tango” in its home country, it was loved in Europe and the States.

1953 – Dean Martin That’s Amore

“When the moon hits your eyes like a big pizza pie”. The most perfect, tacky romance you could imagine. “Scuzza me, but you see, back in old Napoli -  That’s Amore”.

1954 Rosemary Clooney Mambo Italiano

George wasn’t the first Clooney to love Italy. A song which makes your feet itch for a shiny dance floor.

1955 Bill Haley and the Comets Rock around the Clock

Swing, Rock’n'roll, jive, discofox. You just have to rock.

1956 Johnny Cash I walk the line

The man in black with his dark voice and dark songs- nevertheless a shining beacon in musical history.

1957 Elvis Presley Jailhouse Rock

Nothing screams “Swing!” like the one and only King.

1958 Domenico Modugno Volare

It’s been remixed umpteen times, yet the original 1958 Italian entry to the Eurovision Song Contest remains the undisputed classic.

1959 Bobby Darin Mack the Knife

Blood, murder, intrigue and a good-looking singer. Sounds like just what we want in a hit song.

Now all you need are the steps to the jive, and you’re there!

There’s something about the Fifties. Between the thrift of recovering from war in the forties and the social revolutions of the sixties, the fifties were a beacon of devastating glamour, ageless sex appeal (look at Sophia Loren at seventy!) and a fashion footprint whose magic reaches even to today.

Our fascination with the glamour and intrigue of the era is mirrored in the ongoing success of Fellini classics or his biopic, Nine, the remixes of Volare and Elvis songs – which, we all agree, are inferior to the originals – and the constant rebirth of slim ties and slimmer waists in the fashion world.

What made the fifties so magical? The first half of the twentieth century saw Europe wracked by war, financial collapse and political extremism. How could one possibly recreate the world as it was beforehand?

The poverty of the great depression and the war effort left people desperate for extravagance, the deep social and political questions begged for triviality and a world of glamour. The world ached for something new: and the Fifties arrived to heal.

If you are as smart as I am, I guess you will wait until the night before leaving to pack your suitcase, dramatically aware that you will for sure forget something home.

That’s why we (your amazing Journalists) thought you (and us, too) could use a list of what to pack! This way, all you will have to do is print it out and check the items off it as you go.

So, here are the items any EYPer must bring with him/her to a conference. I don’t think I have to remind you about clothes (how could you forget them?), but make sure you pack your mobile phone recharger (how will your mummy survive without hearing from you at least once a day?). And you will need it to text your friends, complaining about the awful food (though I’m sure this won’t be the case, in Cervia) and how little you slept the night before (get used to it: an EYPer never seeps!). Then, please remember to bring enough socks (and, for GA, make sure they match your outfits, please!!), underwear and all that stuff (dirty, smelly people are not welcome!). Also, you mustn’t forget your costume for the Farewell Party and the gifts for your Chairs and Journos (ok, ok, you really don’t have to bring them, but if you feel like it, no one will obstacle you!).

Next, I would add an English dictionary, but I’m sure you won’t need one! Much more important, don’t forget to bring lots of chocolate (it’s never enough, as Sophie, our Swiss Journalist would tell you) and all your fundamental toiletries – toothbrush, eau de toilette, razor blades and shaving foam (just for the guys, or at least I hope so!), deodorant, etc.

Then, last things to go in – unless you’re planning on sleeping naked (!!) – are your pyjama or nightgown and your slippers!  Inversely, the one thing you definitely don’t need to pack: concerns and fears; instead, fill up all the remaining space with happiness and excitement… and get ready for the most amazing NSC ever!! :)

Yours,                                                                                                                                                                           Gianmarco

PS. Remember, you will need casual and comfortable clothes for the Teambuilding, smart-looking for the Committee Work and formal and appropriate ones for the General Assembly and the Gala Dinner.

Nothing warms up the atmosphere quite like 130 young people gathering for an EYP session! Fingers crossed, everyone! :)

by Anna

So let us begin…

Once upon a time, in Aix-en-Provence, our tiny little hero, the Editress got to know there was an open call for Officials for the Italian Nationals, presided by our lovely Tiago. So, after putting some thought into it, she decided to apply. She wrote a proper, but very funny - and  naturally last-minute – application and sent it to the selection panel… and voilà, she got selected!!!

About a week later, Faustine Bidaud invited her to edit before Italy, in Aix-en-Provence, once more… and this is where the adventure started.

Lesson 1. Empathise with your enemy.
Applied to Editocracy: Empathise with the people who have requests towards you.

When invited, try to think of the easiest way to do things and also to get there the easiest way. No matter how tempting it is, do not buy an interrail pass –  it is not reimbursed or renewed when stolen. Now you know.

Lesson  2. Rationality will not save us.

When invited, do not say yes, instantly. Though if the question is “Do you like Aix?” you may fall for it and say yes. So even if you think rationally, the thought of attending a session will make you say yes. YES! :)

Lesson 3. There’s something beyond one’s self.

And if you think that to be a good Editor it is enough to just be yourself, you are very wrong. In fact, an Editor does not just layout the newspaper; the Editor also chairs and also has to pay attention to a lot of things, which leads us to our next point:

Lesson 4. Maximize efficiency.

Or better said: “maximise eat and sleep”. So, whenever you can access food, eat it and whenever there is an hour to sleep, go for it! And do not forget to check if the Journos are working hard enough (if not, I strongly encourage you to say: ‘ROBOTA!’, as often and harshly as you can! :) This might be very convincing in ambiguous situations.)

Lesson 5. Proportionality should be a guideline in war. Applied to Editocracy: Share work, burdens and rewards proportionally.

The same goes for EYP! Try to spend enough time on everything, meaning you’d better go to the Farewell Party. But more importantly, bear in mind the saying of the one and only Martin Hoffman: “Fulfilling needs makes people happy. And we like happy people.” So your first priority is to fulfil the needs of the Journos, and then yours and the Delegates’, of course. And what are the needs of the Delegates? Gossip - lots of it, YEAH.

Lesson 6. Get the data.

Exactly. The gossip most of all! ;)

Lesson 7. Belief and seeing are both often wrong.

If you are the Editor, it is a very heart-warming thing to see your Journos working. But also in every position in EYP, you have to make sure you fulfil your needs (see Maslow’s hierarchy of needs).

Now normally, you want to reach the top of this triangle (creativity and blah, blah, blah…) but you will soon realise you are down to the first part: food, sleep, etc. ;) So just make sure, you sleep enough and if needed do not be afraid to shout anyone to bed (you might as well become legendary with this act, right? Wonderful!)

Lesson 8. Be prepared to re-examine your reasoning.

One of the very bad things about being tired is that you tend to put down your stuff everywhere in order not to have to carry it. Well, one you put down your bagful of valuables in front of a building, in the dodgiest area of Marseille, it will get stolen - very quickly! Trust me, I’ve tried, and it did get stolen, with everything inside it. Tickets to Cervia and back included.

Now you might ask: ‘WHAT??? She is not even coming, clearly she does not have the tickets anymore. Then why is she writing all this stuff???’

FAIL! :D  And you need to re-examine your reasoning. I do have tickets and I am coming! :) (more about this in Lesson 11)

Lesson  9. In order to do good, you may have to engage in evil.

So, when you get all your stuff stolen (and I mean all, really) you get quite experienced in handling new situations. For example, you are to experience communism first hand: literally no possessions. I do think Stalin, Lenin, Marx and all their very nice friends should have tried this. If they did, they would have NEVER EVER thought this was a good thing! Also, you will know once more what it feels like to be five years old. There is always somebody with you for a few days and this somebody pays for you. No, it is not nice! It is rather patronising. On the positive side, if this all happens in France, your French knowledge can improve a lot in just a few days! :)

And yes, at some point you need to engage in evil. For me, this happened once I got back to Paris and upon finding myself standing around in the metro, at 9.15 in the evening and with no tickets or cash on me! The only solution was to run and jump over the metro gate. With a 10-Kg-backpack. YAAY. Yes, you can! You can do a lot more than you would ever imagine!

But I did get home, and now I am sharing my experiences to do good, right? Wonderful!

Lesson 10. Never say never.

Once I said I would never, ever hold a speech in front of an audience. This is just about to change. Why?  Find out in the next lesson…

Lesson 11. You can’t change human nature.

Usually, this term is used in a negative way, but I do believe human (or better say EYPer) nature is the most positive thing on this planet. And I even have proof, my dear judges, Delegates and fellow Officials. As you know, indeed I got robbed in Marseille, and indeed they stole my ticket to Cervia and indeed it was an Interrail and indeed it is non-renewable or refundable…

So I was in the greatest despair ever, also because this is not just a session for me, this is a session for which I am preparing for 2 months, this is the session where I will see the sea. Now, this might not be very interesting for you, but I grew up in a landlocked country, and I spent last year in the City of (Blinding) Lights, so the last time I saw the sea was 5 years ago…

I usually speak through my newspapers, but this time I also have this blog. Therefore, I hereby want to say ’Thank you very-very much the ENTIRE OFFICIALS’ TEAM of Cervia for putting the money together for my new tickets. I am really touched by your niceness. And honestly, I do not know what to say or how to thank you more than this, other than to also hereby promise to do my best to make this session remarkable and amazing, which involves making a speech… in Italian, as promised!’

I especially want to thank Tiago Correia Machado, the President of this session, who stood by me through all these rough times and who always wanted me to come to Cervia. Thank you very much for your idea, your help, and for you being yourself.

The first possible reason that came up to me was the pun between the Italian word for deer, cervo, and Cervia (if you Italian guys didn’t or still don’t get it, then you are <insert most suitable expression>). However, that’s not why –  the true reason is a hidden one.

Those of you who will still be in Cervia on Sunday afternoon will have the pleasure to take part in the very first hunting session in the history of EYP! This is the latest fashion among us, and will soon be introduced into every single event! We will have the chance to hunt deer and experience the world-renowned deer recipe of Cervia.

PS. Ok, I obviously made up the whole part about the hunt, and I’m expecting to see your own suggestions about the reason why!