The aim of the SEP project was to explain, in a playful and interactive manner: - The position
and the mission of the European Parliament within EU institutions, - processes of accession of
Slovakia to the EU since 2004; the accession process is conceived as an important factor of
transformation towards democratic governance in Slovakia, - information about activities of 14
Slovak members of the European Parliament in 2004-2009, - youth policy in the EU and in Slovakia
(youth mobility, voluntary organisations, educational programmes, programmes supporting activities
with the youth).The project consisted in a knowledge test about EU conducted among secondary school
graduates and the organization of Committees of the Student European Parliament (SEP) with
university students in each of the regional capitals, and one Plenary meeting of Student European
Parliament. During SEP meetings students played the roles of EP members and therefore expanded
their knowledge on EP functions, missions, and powers. Slovak students expect that members of EP
will be attentive to their opinions, and that some students´ proposals will become their agenda and
be delivered in committees of real European Parliament in 2010. The visit of 10 Slovak students
(secondary school students and university students) to the EP in Strasbourg in February 2010 serve
to support this aim.The impact of this youth participation project promoting the mobilisation of
first-time student voters in the European Parliament election of 2009, was measured through two
sociological surveys which were conducted with the target group. The results of the surveys and the
comparison of results show that young people – first voters´ participation in the elections can be
influenced. The results of the project, together with an analysis of the situation of youth in
Slovakia are provided in the leaflet attached. |