The aim was to make young Europeans (from 16 to 21 years old) aware of the issues connecting the climate change with water. The parliament was organised by Solidarity Water Europe in partnership with the Province of Gelderland, as this region has to deal with all the problems caused by its position in the Rhine delta, but also as it has a great amount of plans for solving it.
Participants came from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Turkey, Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Latvia, Greece, Croatia, Russia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Poland and Kosovo.
The young people debated and found ways to solve the several problems. Before the Parliament, the participants studied materials to compare the local problems with their own country and during the event they took part in practical sessions like field activities and workshops. This gave them the opportunity to get involved in political debates and take actions back in their home countries. After the parliament, special activities will be organised to keep the participants aware and to offer them the opportunity to discuss the solutions on local water issues.
Results:
* A dialogue between the young participants and decision-makers was encouraged during the parliament, in order to involve them in public decisions regarding climate change and its consequences on water.
* The Parliament ended with a final declaration to be presented to the local, regional, national and European elected representatives.
* The young people set up awareness tools (video spot, games for children, posters, presentations etc.) for future actions at local or European levels.
* A young president (Maria Ermilova, Russia) and two vice-presidents (Orhan Gazi Karataş, Turkey and Marin Spetic, Croatia) were elected by the other parliamentarians to represent the 10th European Youth Parliament for Water until next Parliament.
* 3 videos were awarded in the framework of the video contest on climate change and water organised in cooperation with the International Water Film Events (1st prize: “The degree” - Russia, 2nd prize: “Ice and water” - Switzerland, 3rd prize: “The differences” - Kosovo)
* the discovering of local projects regarding climate change and water in the Netherlands through field activities as well as the Dutch culture
* New partnerships and friendships appeared based on mutual understanding and solidarity
*The young parliamentarians are now responsible for following up the Parliament and their commitments. They will take part through SWE and its partners in international conferences and events in order to disseminate the message of the 10th Parliament (Stockholm Junior Water Prize, World Water Forum, Greenweek, etc.)
The European Youth Parliaments for Water: an Innovative concept!
The European Youth Parliaments for Water organised by Solidarity Water Europe since 1999 are an innovative concept where young Europeans play a key role in ensuring participation by all water users and international cooperation. Active learning, collective creativity, democratic practices and social events constitute the programme and most of the activities are organised by youngsters (moderating formal and informal sessions, elections, writing a common declaration). Moreover, they are actively involved in the preparation process by carrying out local investigations and enter a video, photo or project contest!
