Antwerpen 2011
From 29 October until 4 November 2011, EYP-Europolis Belgium organised its 1st International EYP 
Forum in Antwerp during Antwerp European Youth Capital 2011. Around 150 youngsters from all over Europe participated at this session.
Besides the support of many European politicians who have expressed their appreciation for the projects of EYP-Europolis Belgium, Antwerp 2011 finds itself under the patronage of Cathy Berx (Governor of the province of Antwerp), Philip Heylen (Antwerp Alderman for Culture and Tourism), Dirk Sterckx (MEP) and Pascal Smet (Flemish minister for Education, Youth, Equal Opportunities and Brussels).
Theme of the session
Water covers almost three quarters of the earth’s surface. The average person uses 125 litres of drinkable water a day. On a yearly basis, more than 7 billion products are transported over water. Hydropower is the most used form of alternative energy. More than one billion people don’t have access to drinkable water.
It is clear that water has a lot of different aspects. It is a basic element in our lives and is used in more ways than we usually think of at first sight. Therefore, we are convinced that water was an ideal theme for this session. The topics of debate were built around the main theme, since there are many different aspects to theme of water.
Antwerp
Antwerp is both demographically and economically the second largest city in Belgium. Located at the east bank of the river Scheldt, the city is famous for its world-class port, its international diamond business and - not to be forgotten - its rich history. Thus, every year more than 150.000 tourists visit the historical centre of the city, where they can enjoy the numerous monuments and museums in an agreeable atmosphere.
Being amongst the most important ports of the world, the Port of Antwerp has always been a gate to different parts of the world and their cultures. Due to this, the Antwerp population still diversifies more every day. Living united in diversity is one of the main challenges the city is presently dealing with. Antwerp also hosts one of the major Belgian universities. Due to the excellent infrastructure of its facilities, the university made Antwerp the perfect place for organising an International Forum of the European Youth Parliament.
For more information on the session, visit www.antwerpen2011.org.
