PBM#4 Report

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During Austria’s third “hard” lockdown, the Board of EYP Austria had its fourth “Physical” Board Meeting (PBM), during which it discussed important matters. Advisory Board Members also attended.

As with all PBMs, a report has been compiled to inform our Members of the subjects talked about there, as well as the results of modules that will have a concrete impact on the organisation. So make sure to check out the report of PBM#4 to get an insight into the happenings of the Board and EYP Austria at large! Most notably the Board talked about the upcoming Strategy Meeting and how it wants to handle internal communication.

Regional Session Update

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After reviewing the current COVID-19 situation in regard to the fast spread of the B.1.1.7 mutation, announcements about vaccine deliveries and COVID-19 regulations for schools, the Board of EYP Austria has decided to move our upcoming Regional Sessions Pinkafeld (9 to 11 April 2021) and Graz (16 to 18 April 2021) online. Whilst of course we would have loved a return to the typical session format for these events, we recognise our responsibility to honour public health and are confident that online sessions can function as a great way to come together as young Europeans and continue the EYP spirit during a pandemic.

This is of course a decisive change for the nature of the events, which affects almost all aspects of planning. On that note, we are very sorry about Anna Menzel and Andreas Fellner leaving the Regional Session Graz as Head-Organisers in response to the shift, but of course respect their decision to leave a project that did not fit with their vision anymore.

We would like to use this opportunity to thank all Head-Organisers for the truly impressive and commendable work and commitment they have put into their sessions and are happy to continue working on a now changed project with Elena Szegedi and Julia Sagmeister for the Regional Session Pinkafeld.

Call for Head-Organisers

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We are currently looking for motivated individuals who would like to put together an online version of the original Regional Session Graz.

This call for Head-Organisers will remain open until Friday, 29 January 2021, 23:59 CET. Check out the Call Document and Application Form on our Website for more details.

We’re looking forward to your applications!

Call for (Digital) Regional Session Vice-Presidents

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We are excited to announce that the call for Vice-Presidents for our turned-digital Regional Sessions Pinkafeld (8 to 11 April 2021 for Officials) and Graz (15 to 18 April 2021 for Officials) is currently open!

Find the official call document and application document here. You can apply until Sunday, 24 January 2021, 23:59 CET.

We’re looking forward to high-quality applications!

Building Bridges International Training

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Building Bridges is an international training organised by 5 National Committees (Turkey, Spain, Austria, Ireland and Germany) from 25 to 31 January, which takes place online.

Several members of each participating NC will come together in a week-long training where they will get the chance to learn more about cultural diversity in EYP, meet with different NC members, gain valuable personal development skills and understand how EYP functions differently in the participating countries. 

The program will consist of various training modules and cultural events to promote intercultural dialogue. You will be able to choose between at least two different modules each day, lasting about two hours. There will be at least one day during the week when no modules are scheduled. If you want to get to know members from different NCs while learning new things, this is your opportunity to shine!

You can register by filling out this form until Friday, 22 January. Spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Any questions left? Check out the event on Facebook and the Member Platform or get in touch with Bernadette Schwarz (bernadette.schwarz@eyp.at).

New National Safe Person

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As the EYP, we are determined to ensure our organisation constantly improves as a safe and welcoming environment for all! In this spirit, all 40 NCs in the network have for a while now put in place a robust system and policy to ensure the welfare of all those who step in our events. 

That is why we are thrilled to introduce to you EYP Austria’s new National Safe Person – Schila Labitsch (schila.labitsch@eyp.at). She has been in EYP for 4 years, and now will serve as an independent point person who you can get in touch with if you experience any incident that you feel impacted your welfare in EYP, or if you would like to know more about existing policies and resources. 

Additionally, our events will continue to have Event Safe Persons, and you can also decide to submit a complaint about harmful behaviour at safe@eyp.org, which will be dealt with as confidentially as possible. 

Feel free to email or message Schila if you have further questions!

Lastly, we would also like to thank Nina Thomic for fulfilling the role of National Safe Person from 2019 to 2020 and her dedication to safety and welfare in EYP Austria!

Volksbegehren Information Campaign

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With the endorsement week for three petitions (Volksbegehren) from 18 to 25 January having just started in Austria, we would like to draw your attention to the chance to commit active citizenship!

Austrian citizens who are 16 or older can sign these petitions either online via oesterreich.gv.at (requiring a phone signature or citizen card) or in any municipality, regardless of their place of residence.

If they receive 100 000 signatures, the petitions in question („Tierschutzvolksbegehren – Animal Welfare Petition“, „Für Impf-Freiheit – For Vaccination Freedom“, „Ethik für Alle – Ethics for all“) will be handed to the National Assembly, where they will be the subject of a plenary debate.

Currently, there are also twelve* petitions in the support phase – if they receive 8 401 statements of support, they will also get an endorsement week.

For further information, we compiled a Drive folder with relevant information in German and English – make sure to check it out and make your voice heard next week!

*Three new petitions started their support phase on the day of publication, which is why they are not yet mentioned in our information material.