For the first time, Sint Maarten will be represented at the Erasmian European Youth Parliament Conference 2013. Moreover, it is the only country situated outside European Union to be present at this prestigious event. The student delegation from Sint Maarten consists of Miss Carla Vlaun (student of World Politics), Mr. Ryan Geerlings (student of International Public Management), and their coach Mr. Garrick Richardson (recent law graduate).
The Erasmian European Youth Parliament is organised by the Dutch foundation: the EEYP Foundation, and is an essential part of the Youth Capital program. Its aim is to empower young people and to encourage the implementation of innovative ideas with regard to their active participation in society. The EEYP started in 2008 in Rotterdam at the Erasmiaans Gymnasium as a pilot-project. Since then the EEYP has followed the European Youth Capitals, starting with Rotterdam in 2009, followed by Turin in 2010, Antwerp in 2011 and Braga in 2012.
This year the event will be held at various locations in Rotterdam whilst the Erasmiaans Gymnasium will be at the centre of all activities. It is because of the vision and dedication of members of the teacher’s corps and parents association of this prestigious and historical education institute, that EEYP came to life. Special recognition should in this be given to two of its outstanding and inspirational board members Mrs. Evelyn Dolk and Mr. Pieter Dupont.
The conference will be held from February 17th to the 23rd 2013.It will be an intense week for the Sint Maarten delegation. They will join approximately 120 students from eleven other EU membership countries to discuss, deliberate and debate issues that affect the EU.
The St. Maarten delegation recently paid a courtesy visit to Minister Plenipotentiary the Hon. Mathias Voges at his Cabinet in The Hague in order to inform the minister further about the EEYP event and its program. Minister Voges emphasized the fact that the members of the St. Maarten delegation will be seen as Ambassadors of our nation and that they should make use of the opportunity to profile not only themselves but also their country at the best of their abilities. "Go and make us proud, I am sure that you are more than capable to make this journey a success", minister Voges said.
The Sint Maarten delegation selected to be a member of the following committees: Energy, Infrastructure and Urban Development. Within these genres, they will have to research and develop solutions for the following questions: How to prepare Europe for a connected future? How to develop metropolitan areas in a sustainable manner? and How to battle youth unemployment in the EU? Subsequently, the respective committees will need to draft a resolution, which will be presented and defended in the General Assembly and voted upon. But also importantly, our students will have the opportunity to introduce and profile Sint Maarten on the opening day.
Soualiga Foundation’s Chairman, Mr. Perry Geerlings, the architect of this initiative together with the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, said "I am so proud of Carla, Ryan and Garrick for volunteering for this event on such short notice. Next year, we hope that students can travel from Sint Maarten to take part in this event as it is more catered towards students that are in their final years of secondary education".
Mr. Geerlings hopes to further strengthen the relationship with the board of EEYP. "There is already a tentative agreement in place to add to the agenda/program topics affiliated to Sint Maarten’s LGO status next year. This will enhance the mutual knowledge and understanding about our country’s status and position towards the EU."