Issues Model European Parliament Napels 2015

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

The question of youth employability. Mitigating skills, educational and vocational qualifications mismatch with Europe's labour market requirements. How can the EU best satisfy the demands of its employers and future employees in order to improve the employability and prospects for the younger generations?

Committee on Foreign Affairs

The question of resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict as a strong impetus to the Arab Spring. How can the EU assume its international role to bring about lasting peace between Israel and Palestine after the Gaza conflict? With relentless violence continuing in Gaza what action should the EU take to protect the safety and security of those in the affected regions in the wake of the Arab Spring? How could this mission give a strong momentum to the Arab Spring?

Committee on Human Rights

New strategies on immigration in the Mediterranean. From Mare Nostrum to Frontex Plus, a possible Mediterranean Sea Agreement taking into account the new Maritime Security Strategy of the European Union, in order to face the problem of migration in the Mediterranean in a new way.

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

The question of global competitiveness and decarbonising Europe's economy. Emission trading vs. carbon tax in the absence of an international agreement: working towards a decarbonised European economy whilst trying to maintain global competitiveness; which reforms and policies should the EU pursue in order to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

'Glass ceiling' effect vs. low public pan-European support for gender quotas. Learning from the early lessons of the Commission's strategy for equality between men and women 2010-2015 and the Council of Europe's Gender Equality Programme of 2012, how should European stakeholders seek to achieve gender parity across the continent?

Committee on International Trade

The question of an achievable agreement between the EU and the USA on trade and investment. Benefits and drawbacks from The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). How to increase the benefits and reduce the risks resulting from the ratification of TTIP for the EU economy and its citizens?

Committee on Regional Development

The question of the role of cities and urban areas in managing cohesion policy funds in meeting the objectives of Europe 2020. Since more than two-thirds of European citizens live in cities, urban areas can play a leading role in intelligent growth. How can their role be strengthened in developing and implementing social, environmental and youth empowerment policies which will contribute to achieving the objectives of the EU 2020 strategy; and how can cities with innovative ideas and concepts be supported in the field of urban development?

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

The question of the role of the member states with respect to the EU institutions with reference to the authorization, restriction or prohibition of the cultivation of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) in their territory. In reference to the Amendment to Directive 2001/18/EC, EU Member States are responsible for ensuring a high level of protection of human life and health, animal health and welfare, the environment and interests of consumers, but at the same time ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market.

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

The question of a new EU forest strategy. Forests and other wooded land cover over 40% of the area of the EU, with a great diversity of character from region to region and a multifunctional dimension, serving economic, social and environmental purposes. In view of the multifunctional role of forests and as a vital resource tied to a wide range of products and services, how can the EU take action to ensure a balance between sustainable forest management and protection?

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs 

The question of the benefits and drawbacks from future international agreements between the EU and the USA on the protection of personal data when transferred and processed for the purpose of preventing, investigating, detecting and prosecuting criminal offences including terrorism, in the framework of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. How can the EU ensure a high level of protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, notably the right to privacy bearing in mind that there is no uniform data protection framework on both sides of the Atlantic? How must Europe deal with the revelations of electronic mass surveillance of its citizens by US intelligence agencies?