Valencia, candidate city to host the 90th Session International of the European Youth Parliament.

More than 300 young students from all over Europe opt for Valencia to debate in an international congress about the future of Europe.

What are the goals of Europe? Where should we go? These are some of the questions posed by many young European students who have decided to bet on Valencia for the 90th International Session of the European Youth Parliament, in which they will discuss these and other issues that affect this collective within the old continent: respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, human rights, the promotion of peace, the well-being of peoples, immigration, the environment, the economy, or Unemployment. The topics of the different committees that will form the session will be related to new scientific and innovation projects to social issues, such as women's rights, thus giving participants the opportunity to discuss the future, based on learning from the past.

Although there are two years ahead, the members of the Organizing Committee of EYP Spain (EYPE), have already visited the city to locate the places where the different activities of this international event will take place, while making the first contacts with authorities, institutions and future collaborators.

Valencia 2019 was born as an innovation initiative and at the same time to strengthen a region of the EYP Spain community. The celebration of this event aims to demonstrate that borders are not insurmountable walls and that cultural exchange and dialogue between European citizens is an extraordinary opportunity, both personally and collectively.

"We want the city of Valencia to be a promoter of change and educational opportunities. I firmly believe that Valencia 2019 will be at the height of being one of the biggest events on the continent. But for this, it is necessary to receive support; we need people who believe in us -young people-, who encourage and bet on creativity, entrepreneurship and the ability to initiative ", says Aritz Labrador.

Today, Europe is moving towards the horizon of 2020, but the young people of the EYP want to go a step further and organize this event in which the participants will be able, on the one hand, to take stock of the objectives set and the achievements obtained in the Horizon 2020 framework; and, on the other hand, also organize an event in which you can discuss what is the new horizon to which we are going after Horizon 2020.

Are we achieving what we set out to do? The members of this organization ask themselves. The three major areas under which all Horizon 2020 projects are located are: industrial leadership, scientific excellence and addressing the multiple social challenges that surround us.

"Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, human rights, the promotion of peace and the well-being of peoples are values ​​that I consider indispensable. It is our responsibility, as citizens of the European Union and as young people, to ensure that these values ​​are fulfilled. There is too much passivity, too much conformism", says Carlota Cumella.

The European Youth Parliament -EYP- is one of the most dynamic organizations in Europe, and currently has a representation in 40 European countries, among which a network of more than 5000 volunteers is formed. EYP is one of the platforms for political debate, European civic education and exchange of ideas among Europe's largest young people. The EYP's mission is to inspire and promote young Europeans to become tolerant citizens, with open minds and attitude of active participation both nationally and internationally. Effective, transparent and democratic in the internal functioning, the EYP seeks to promote the critical spirit, cultural exchange, social thought and great ideals in the personal development of each participant.

The trajectory of the European Youth Parliament has been awarded with several prizes, such as the "European Movement of the Year 2012" and the "Merit Européen", while it has permanent support public positions, both at European and national level, such as the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Torbjørn Jagland, or the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker. The umbrella-foundation that makes possible the strategic development of the different organizations of the network is the "Schwarzkopf Stiftung Junges Europa Foundation" in Berlin (Germany). For the European Youth Parliament, Europe is not simply a distant and abstract structure, but becomes a living entity thanks to young people, motivated and eager to push our continent forward.

"We are a generation fully aware that this is the moment in which we must teach those who follow behind what nobody knew yesterday, and in which we must prepare ourselves for what nobody knows yet today. Valencia 2019 is the opportunity to continue on a path that has already been planned, "argues María Granero.

Valencia, protagonist in Social Networks

Throughout nine days, young people who move to Valencia will learn to debate the issues that concern and influence Europe, such as immigration, the environment, the economy, or unemployment. Therefore, EYP will be present in the Social Networks - before, during and after the session - to get the participants, all the members of the big EYP family and the rest of the world to know what is happening, minute by minute, in Valencia. Each of the sessions has its own spirit and its own concept. However, there are certain aspects of the session that are unavoidable in all EYP sessions. For example all sessions are entirely in English and are developed in three key phases: Teambuilding, Committee Work and General Assembly.

The General Assembly is the culmination of the work of the 90th international session that will take place in Valencia 2019. It will be at that moment when the different committees can present their resolution to the rest of the participants and debate, thus bringing out the critical spirit, the capacity for dialogue and reflection. With this part of the session, the participants live a parliamentary debate, learning to position themselves and defend their own convictions. At the end of each presentation, a vote is taken to see which resolutions pass and which do not, resolutions that are passed by majority will be sent to the European Parliament once the session is over.

This project, like so many others, requires an extensive network of collaboration. EYP is a non-profit NGO, so the first objective of the organizing committee is to obtain funding, institutional support and other resources necessary to carry out its activity correctly. Currently, a detailed proposal of the event is being prepared for presentation at the International Office of the European Youth Parliament in Berlin. Depending on the quality and viability of the proposal, the international office will give the green light to carry it out or leave, sadly, this project in the drawer of dreams.