European Youth Parliament Greece

Thessaly International Forum

INFORMATION BOOKLET

1 WELCOME NOTE FROM THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE Dear Participants, it will be our greatest pleasure to welcome you to the 4th International Forum of EYP Greece, taking place in Thessaly from 2nd to 8th August. The International Fo- rum of Thessaly will gather around 100 youngsters from all over Europe for a full six-day programme.

The session will take place in the region of Thessaly and will give you the opportu- nity to visit various locations. For the first four days we will be staying at a camp near the village of Pefki, Kalampaka. Committee Work will take place in the city of Trikala. For Free Day, Euroconcert and General Assembly the session will be transported to the city of Larissa, capital of Thessaly.

This Information Booklet contains everything you need to know prior to your ar- rival in Thessaly. Please read it carefully. You may find additional information available on our website. Also, feel free to contact the Organising Team for any questions you might have at [email protected]

We are looking forward to meeting you all in Greece!

The Organising Committee

SESSION THEME The session theme is Regional Development, supported by the motto “Small Regions-Great Ideas. Changing Thessaly-Changing Europe”.

The theme of the session will act as the general direction for many of the committee topics, as well as the initiative for events during the session. The theme suggests Thessaly as a place where new ideas are born that could potentially affect decision-making on both a local and a European scale. Thessaly is a region with a competitive economy, rich history and traditions. The session will seek opportunities to bring about positive changes to the region of Thessaly and, as a consequence, to Europe.

The theme will focus on two distinct prospects: a) Civil Rights and Lib- erties in view of the proclamation of 2013 as the “Year of Citizens” and due to the example of the fights of the people at Kileler, a small village in Thessaly that changed the way Greece views human rights. b) Rural Development, reinforcement of rural economy and small en- terprises. 2 SESSION PROGRAMME

FRIDAY, 2ND AUGUST Arrival of delegates All delegates are expected to arrive at Trikala by 20:00.

SATURDAY, 3RD AUGUST Tealbuilding Teambuilding will take place at the camp at Pefki, our accommodation venue for the first four days of the session. All delegates will engage in outdoor and indoor activities throughout the day with their commit- tees. Dress code: Comfortable, sports/outside activity clothing (provide rain protection)

Eurovillage On Friday night, each delegation will have a stand to represent your country’s culture and regional products at EYP’s famous Eurovillage. So bring lots of food! You are strongly encouraged to wear your coun- try’s traditional clothing,bring flags and other material to decorate your stand. Please contact the Organising Committee beforehand to discuss the possibility of refrigerating or warming up foodstuffs on site. Dress code: Casual or National Costumes.

SUNDAY, 4TH AUGUST Opening Ceremony The session is formally declared open by its President in the Opening Ceremony. Dress Code: Formal (suit, shirt, tie, dress/skirt. No jeans or casual wear)

Committee Work As the conclusion of two days of Committee Work each committee will create a resolution on their respective topic with the help of an experi- enced Chairperson. Dress Code: Smart Casual (Not formalwear- ripped jeans, t-shirts, shorts are discouraged)

3 MONDAY, 5TH AUGUST Committee Work Committee dinners For Sunday or Monday evening, the organisers will have booked tables at a selection of local restaurants for each committee to go out for a meal together. This is a very special moment for the committee, which can spend some time together off committee work enjoying fine local cuisine. Committee Dinner will not be covered by the participation fee; the cost of the dinner will be approximately 15 euros (not higher).

TUESDAY, 6TH AUGUST Free Day Delegates will have a free morning to spend time and relax with new friends and visit sights in the city of Larissa. A visit to locations of cul- tural significance will be made en route to Larissa.

Euroconcert Euroconcert is an opportunity for artists amongst the participants (mu- sic, dance, ballet, poetry, acting) to exhibit their skill and talent to the rest of the session. Musicians should provide their own instruments. The Euroconcert ven- ue will provide a grand piano and music stands. Auditions will be held before announcing the programme of Eurocon- cert so that an appropriate standard of quality is upheld. Therefore, performances must be well-rehearsed. A full rehearsal at the Eurocon- cert venue will also be possible right before the event and there will pos- sibly be other opportunities for rehearsing as well. Dress Code: Formal/Elegant

WEDNESDAY, 7TH AUGUST General Assembly General Assembly will be the perfect setting for sharing ideas and dis- cussing all the resolutions produced during the week. Dress Code: Formal

THURSDAY, 8TH AUGUST Departures of delegates, chaperones and officials. Please note that breakfast will be offered at the hotel. Organisers will assist you on your departures from Larissa. 4 PARTICIPATION FEE The participation fee for delegates is set at 80 euros. The participation fee covers:

-Accommodation from 2nd August to 8th August (checkout 8th August) -Transportation within the same period (after participant’s arrival at Trikala, until the closing of the session) -Meals and coffee breaks from 2nd August to 7th August (including breakfast on 8th August) excluding the committee dinner on 5th August which is on the participants’ own expense - maximum 15 euros.

Note: Participants must carry enough money for their tickets home, the committee dinner and an emergency budget. Beyond that it is up to the participant’s discretion.

TRAVEL GUIDE All delegates are expected to arrive by Friday, 2nd August at the city of Trikala, before 20:00. Departures are on Thursday, 8th August from the city of Larissa.

ARRIVALS You may arrive at Greece by aeroplane. The three convenient airports for your arrival are:

Airport of Thessaloniki Airport of Volos/New Anchialos Airport of Athens

For those arriving at the airport of Thessaloniki, organisers will show participants to the bus station, where they will continue their journey to Trikala. All three cities of Thessaloniki, Volos and Athens have a bus station with connection to Trikala. For those arriving at New Anchialos, you will first have to take a bus to Volos and then to Trikala. Additional information concerning the bus routes can be found at Trikala bus sta- tion website . 5 Organisers will be present at the city of Trikala and there will be ar- ranged transport at the accommodation venue for free. We strongly recommend using the bus for the journey from Thessa- loniki to Trikala.

From To Regular Ticket Price Discount Ticket Price (university students only) Thessaloniki Trikala 18.7 € 14 € Volos Trikala 13.7 € 10.3 € Athens Trikala 28 € 21 €

There is also railway connection to Trikala. Those wanting to use the train should contact us for further information at thessaly2013@eyp- greece.org. Please note that there will not be an organiser assisting on the journey via train.

Costs of bus tickets from Larissa to the most convenient destinations for departures after the session is shown below:

From To Regular Ticket Price Discount Ticket Price (university students only) Larissa Volos 5.3 € 4 € Larissa Thessaloniki 14 € 11 € Larissa Athens 30 € 22.5 €

According to their means of travel and their place of arrival partici- pants will be provided with additional information.

ACCOMMODATION From August 2nd to August 5th, all participants will be accommodated in the camp of Pefki at an altitude of 900m. Participants will stay at bun- galows for 12 people and sleep in individual beds. Bed sheets and blan- kets will be provided, however we advise you to bring a sleeping bag, as it might get relatively cold during the night.

From August 6th to August 8th, participants will be accommodated in the city of Larissa, at Dionissos hotel and Park hotel in double or triple bed rooms.

In case of arriving prior to August 2nd or departing later than August 8th we can assist in booking accommodation for any extra nights. 6 INSURANCE Participants eligible for a European Health Insurance Card are urged to obtain and bring their card, in order to ensure that they will get easy access to state healthcare. Please find more information about the EHIC and how to obtain it here.

It is also suggested that participants have their own personal travel in- surance. Travel insurance should be covering loss of luggage, accidents, disease etc. Insured participants ought to make sure they bring their insurance card with them if their insurance company requires it.

SPECIAL NEEDS Participants with special needs concerning allergies, medical treatment, medication or facilities for people with disabilities, should send an email as soon as possible with all the relevant information to thessaly2013@ eypgreece.org. Participants will also be requested to fill out a registra- tion form prior to the session, informing us of any special needs.

ALCOHOL AND PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES POLICY Alcohol will be available at some events. Greek legislation prohibits al- cohol consumption for persons under 18 years of age. Participants should also be mindful of their own country’s relevant legislation.

As young ambassadors of their country, the delegates are expected to understand that EYP Greece would not wish the delegates’ experience to be ruined by misbehaviour. EYP does not condone overindulgence. Participants that overindulge alcohol will be excluded from the session regardless of whether they were legally entitled to consume alcohol.

EYP operates a zero-tolerance policy on drugs. Participants that use any substance prohibited by Greek law will be excluded from the ses- sion.

PREPARATION Delegates are encouraged to prepare for Committee Work by research- ing their topics and following relevant news items. This will both enable them to creatively contribute to their committee’s discussion and raise the academic level of the session. Delegates will soon have the chance to select topics and will receive guidelines for their research. 7 VISAS Please check for visa and other document requirements at the website of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you require any assistance in obtaining a visa please contact us at [email protected] as soon as possible. A formal invitation letter can be provided if necessary.

WHAT TO BRING TO THESSALY INTERNATIONAL FORUM

Essentials Travel tickets Valid identification documents Visa (if required) Bathing suit, Flip-flops, Bath towels (not provided by the camp) Light jacket (in case of cooler weather - suggested) Insurance (suggested) European Health Insurance Card (strongly suggested) Mobile phone

Teambuilding Comfortable, warm clothing suitable for outdoors activities Sun cream

Committee Work Smart casual clothing Preparation papers and notes (in-session printing is not provided)

Eurovillage Food and material National flag Traditional clothing (optional)

Opening Ceremony, General Assembly, Euroconcert Formal clothing (skirts, dresses or suits for ladies; suits for gentlemen)

Euroconcert Musical instruments (only piano provided) Sheet music 8