white paper

The participants in the first European Youth Eco-Parliament were responsible for writing a White Paper on the Environment.

This White Paper involved, at a European level, a series of resolutions and action proposals on the topics of air, food, water, waste and energy. The aim was to acknowledge the right and duty of each person to grow and be free in a respected environment and in the context of shared, sustainable development.

The topics are consistent with those of the European Commission's 6th Community Environment Action Programme "Environment 2010: our future, our choice" and are highly topical. Environmental problems are becoming increasingly "globalised" day by day. These include: air and water pollution, the greenhouse effect, the ozone layer, relations between the Northern and Southern hemispheres, resources management, waste and energy.

A local project on the environment was set up by each group of young participants, which examined an environmental problem common to their local geographical area. This enabled the students to formulate resolutions and action proposals, whilst developing their skills of observation, analysis, creativity and ability to work in a group.

Writing the White Paper

Students from 11 European countries were involved in the collective drafting of the White Paper. The process of writing it was carried out in several phases, ensuring consistency between the countries involved. The students carried out their written work and exchanges of information over the dedicated website www.eyep.info, in national and European topic committees.

Click here to download a copy of the White Paper.