The Intercontinental

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Run the world

The importance of watching Turkish soaps An interview with the Head Organisers The future of energy
Official Magazine of Istanbul 2011, 10th National Selection Conference of the European Youth Parliament Turkey

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Table of Contents
INTERVIEW Oyku Tali analyses the dysfunctional, yet very successful family that is formed between the Head Organiser and the Deputy Head Organisers. Page 3 EYP BACKGROUND Two siblings, one session: Elif Celebi looks into the relationship between two important siblings in this session. Page 4 SESSION NEWS Melis Cin and Olcay Soyalan report from an inspiring and stimulating Opening Ceremony. Page 5 LIFESTYLE Hipsters are all individual in the exact same way. Emilie Tilstam examines a global phenomenon. Page 6 POLITICS Should Turkey become a member of the EU? Kaan Serdar has conducted a poll at this session. Page 7 ENERGY Samuel Mushin explores the energy sources of the future. Page 8 LIFESTYLE Noura Berrouba explains why EYP is the final destination. Page 9 POLITCS The endangered smoker: Samuel Mushin defends a social species at risk of losing its liberties. Page 11 LIFESTYLE Dunja Tanovic shares her passion for Turkish TV soaps. Page 12

Ed ito

We were here

Dear Delegates, As Beyonc once sang, I was here. In the future, you will look back on this session and say the very same thing, I was there. And just like Beyonc, you will want to have left your mark in the minds of others. In your Committees, you are discussing essential current European issues. A topic that is especially important to the two of us, is the challenge of climate change. The truth of global warming is spreading, however, there is still a worryingly low political consensus on the topic among the worlds leaders. As the environment is deteriorating, negotiations are leading nowhere. Similar developments can be seen in all of this sessions topics, they are all calling out for action. By recognising the importance of the Committee topics and participating in the debates accordingly, you react. As far as climate change is concerned, you can influence the European leaders in an even more direct way by stating your opinion on climate policy in the European Youth Polls (www.polls.eyp.org/climate). The results will be received personally and commented on by the European Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard. When it comes to the truth itself, Ricky Gervais, the modern hero of British comedy once said: The truth doesnt hurt. Whatever it is, its always better to know the truth. Therefore, do not hesitate to find and state the truth about your topic, no matter how inconvenient it may be. Thanks to you, the truth is spreading. Make sure to leave your mark. Yours truly, Your Editors, Elsa Horn af Rantzien (SE) & Konrad Staeger (CH) The Intercontintal is brought to you by: Noura Berrouba (SE) Elif Celebi (TR) Melis Cin (TR) Ipek Karakaya (TR) Sammy Mushin (CZ) Kaan Serdar (TR) Olcay Soyalan (TR) Oyku Tali (TR) Dunja Tanovic (UK) Emilie Tilstam (SE)

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A successful family
BY OYKU TALI (TR)
Organising an EYP session is a challenge few can master. Since this session so far has been nothing but a glorious success, we decided to steal a moment from Head Organiser eyma and Deputy Head Organisers, Melisa and Sonat, to ask them about the their process challenges and victories - in organising the 10th National Selection Conference of EYP Turkey. How long did it take for the three of you to organise the session? eyma (Head Organiser): The National Committee announced that we, as TED Istanbul College, will organise the session already in April, but the organisation moved into a very intense format in August. Melisa (Deputy Head Organiser): We started planning seriously in late May, so I believe it has been five to six months. What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome before the session? Melisa: Im going to say: money, money, money. The hardest part was definitely finding sponsors. Sonat (Deputy Head Organiser): I found it quite difficult to find a hotel for the participants at low prices, because we really wanted for them to stay in a nice one. We searched almost every hotel in Istabul, then we found Limak. eyma: Everyone seems fine with the hotel we have now, so I believe that we made the good decision. Now that the conference has started, what is the biggest problem you have faced so far? eyma: Definitely transportation, but luckily we have managed it. Melisa: I would say there is too much love, it is very hard to keep people away from each other. What is the best thing that happened so far that has made you proud and happy? eyma: For me it is clear I am so proud of my Organising team. For instance, even though they are really tired and cant stand still in fear of falling asleep, they still keep their enthusiasm and seem to be happy about what they are doing. Seeing that makes me so proud. Melisa: I am proud of everything we have done so far, but the Officials Dinner was the best. Sonat: I will agree with the Officals Dinner being amazing, but I am sure that if this were after the session, I would answer the boat trip. If the three of you were a family which role would each one of you play? eyma: I would definitely be the mother. Melisa sometimes acts like a weird spoiled girl who makes baby noises, but can also act very maturely, so she would be my daughter. Sonat would also be one of my children. He is often more relaxed than myself, Whatever, we will do that some other time is one of his common phrases. Then bam!, we have a week to go, and everything is done and planned. He is great at finding solutions and managing the crisis situations. Melisa: I would probably say the same Sonat and I would be siblings and eyma would be the mother. Sonat: We are practically already a family. But I believe Melisa would be the mother, a very strict one because even though she might not seem very stern, she can be quite feisty. It would probably like If you do not do your homework, I will kill you. eyma would be my bigger sister and I would be the little child. What is your message to the Delegates, especially to the newcomers? eyma: I am sure that you will love EYP, and please make sure to enjoy every second of the session. Melisa: Enjoy it, love it, be it! Sonat: I would like to quote Furkan Tael, the Head Organiser of my first session, Please, please, enjoy it!

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Two siblings, one session

BY ELIF CELEBI (TR)

In how many conferences could you meet siblings in an Officials team? Not many probably. During his speech in the Opening Ceremony, Furkan Tasel, as a representative of EYP Turkeys National Committee, mentioned how proud he is of his little baby sis, referring to Head Organiser eyma Tasel. Since the couple is so charming, I decided to sit down with the two for a little sharing, maybe even a couple of secrets, about their relationship. When asked about his sister, Furkan starts by expressing how amazed he is of Seymas success. When I mention that Seyma might be following in his footsteps, he answers that she definitely is not, because she is way too mature to do so. At eymas first EYP session, the 6th NSC of EYP Turkey, Furkan was a Head Organiser, and the fact that eyma is now a Head Organiser herself makes Furkan very proud. He explains that they never mix up their sibling relationship with their professional one. To describe their relationship, eyma reminisces about their childhood. She describes how they used to get along like cats and dogs and literally never gave up fighting, but he still managed to teach her a vast amount about Gameboys and computers. eyma explains that, as they grew older, their relationship developed into something completely different, and today they share everything with one another. Even things that are

not usually meant to be shared with a brother. When describing how she started EYP, eyma reveals that at the time when she still was not involved in EYP she used to see Furkan spending sleepless nights working hard to organise sessions. She says her reason to start EYP was I wondered what made my older brother work at nights instead of sleeping, and I wanted to discover that mysterious thing myself. eyma was impressed by the way EYP changed Furkan. When describing Furkan, she says he is more of a thinker, rather than a talkative person, a characteristic that she admires. She admires how Furkan restrains from pointing out solutions, but prefers leading the way. Talking to Seyma and Furkan about their relationship as siblings taught me a lot. I have to admit that I was amazed by the love and the respect they share between each other. It shone from their faces.

Five facts about Seyma: She missprinted Furkans badge three times because of the tag President. Furkan thinks it happened because of his nickname, Furkan the President. She never eats by herself, which is one of many things Furkan mocks her for. The thing she hates the most about Furkan is his low-waist trousers. She owns a pink hair tie, which she is so obsessed with that she nearly cried when it was broken. She always falls asleep on a couch watching TV and gets angry when a family member suggests for her to go sleep in her own bed. Five facts about Furkan: He once answered the question Do you own a pet? by writing Yes, I have eyma at home. He hates shopping so much that eyma always has to drag him along to the mall. He eats an insane amount but never does exercises. He hates to have his hair cut. Hes so naive that he believes his opening speech at eymas first session was the reason why she got more involved.

Opening Ceremony
BY MELIS CIN (TR) & OLCAY SOYALAN (TR)
Straight after teambuilding, the participants of the 10th National Selection Conference of EYP Turkey were warmly welcomed to the session in the Opening Ceremony. The first speaker to enter the podium was Mrs. Fusun Ersoy, the principal of our generous host-school TED College. Mrs. Fusun Ersoy warmly greeted the participants in her speech, addressing the organisation of EYP and the hard work of the Organisers. Describing EYP as an inspiring starting point for the youth to become future leaders, Mrs. Ersoy expressed how proud she is of having us, the EYP, as guests at her school. Following Mrs. Ersoy, the counsellor of the EYP Club of the TED College, Mr. Michael Ferrara described his joy in hosting the session, also stating that Organisation, communication and mutual respect are the best depictions for leadership. Mr. Ferrera ended his speech by telling a short story about how EYP TED was established. Representing Filli Boya Yalitim, Mr. Cagdas Korkmaz gave a presentation about increasing energy efficiency. He described ETICS, which stands for External Thermal Insulation Composure System, unfolding the ways, benefits and necessity of insulation. At the end of this informative presentation, we were very well able to understand the process of insulation. The Opening Ceremony continued by having Mrs. Dr. Eng. Duygu Eren, the CEO of Turkeco and Energy Inc., as well as the Vice President of Turkey GBC, inspiring us by presenting a basic carbon dioxide equation based on population, services and energy. Mrs. Eren also urged us to pursue a couple of basic changes in order to save the planet. Following Mrs. Eren was Mr. Cenk Levi from Greenpeace. He started his presentation by answering some questions such as whether or not climate change could be hindered. Emphasising the importance of renewable energy sources, he expressed his deep frustration concerning the lack of renewable energy centrals in Turkey. Moving back to the EYP, the Vice President and board member of EYP Turkey, Mr. Furkan Tasel took the podium. Furkan pointed out how happy it makes him to see the international Officials, and followed this by stating Delegates, your input is very important during Committee Work. Another EYP member, Jury Member Ms. Ece Aygar presented the possible sessions that Delegates may be selected for. She also urged Delegates to seize the opportunity of this session. Second last, Head Organiser Ms. Seyma Tasel shared her joy with us. Seyma stated This is the very moment I have been imagining since I started EYP. She also entailed that EYP was the place where she discovered who she really was and who she wanted to be. Finally, the President of the session, Ms. Kerstin Mathias, asked all Delegates to never to give up on trying even though they might meet failures at some points on the path, saying Keep on going, keep on trying. Ms. President also presented examples from Steven King and Winston Churchill during her speech, which she gracefully ended with a great poem with the first two words of Dont Quit.

Hipsterism: be as individual as all the others

The word hipster is frequently tossed around everywhere in Europe today, but do we all know what a hipster is? Let us look a bit closer at this worldwide phenomenon with a little help from our Editor Konrad (see left). BY EMILIE TILSTAM (SE)
If you are a middle class youth in your late teens or twenties, into alternative indie-rock and independent films, if you like poetry blogging, underground DJ-ing or playing the synth, but have a seemingly hard time finding an actual job, you are metrosexual (whatever that means exactly), if you love organic fairtrade tofu and you walk around with a book by Kafka purposely sticking out of your vintage leather bag then yes you truly are a hipster. Dressing like a hipster is an art in itself. Rolled-up jeans, checkered shirts or deeply cut tank tops with quotes from films or novels no one has ever heard of form your basics. A scruffy cardigan that once belonged to your granddad is your entry requirement for the advanced league of hipsters, and it is preferably combined with a necklace consisting of a chain with a miniature of some mundane object like a slice of bread hanging on it. Carry your things in an off white tote bag with a print of your favourite indie band or a deep saying you came up with yourself. All these garments should follow or rather dull colour scale. However, the outfit can be spiced up by an oversize watch in neon orange, and of course the obligatory ray-ban wayfarers. Alternatively, you can wear Kanyes shades. A moustache is voluntary, but definitely helps. Girls should preferably cut their hair short in some places on the head la Agyness Deyn, or just let it like Lykke Li does. Now you are ready to ride around town on your fixie or dodgy-looking bike that your dad had back in the 60s. Everything about them is exactingly constructed to give off the vibe that they just dont care, TIMES wrote in 2009. And that is the very core of hipsterism - in your desperate quest to be as individual as possible you fall right into mainstream. Pretty ironic, thus the saying goes that someone who knows what a hipster is could never be one. But yet we all want to listen to bands that no one has ever heard of, or claim that we loved Russel Brand a decade ago when he was unknown and did not star in films that are seen by the masses. So perhaps there is a little hipster residing in all of us, whether we want to admit it or not.

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Poll: Turkey in the EU?

A majority of Delegates at this session do not support the idea of Turkey entering the European Union. BY KAAN SERDAR (TR)
When we asked the Delegates of this session on their opinion of a possible accession of Turkey into the European Union, it immediately sparked a discussion about the general perspective on Europe within Turkey. Having a long and unstable history in the relationship with the EU, the opinion on the topic is changing within Turkey itself. It is fair to state that with only assumptions, no one would reach a realistic and proper outcome. From the beginning of mankinds existence, people thought and acted without seeing the facts. In order to find the opinions of this sessions Delegates on the matter of Turkey and the EU, we conducted a poll asking, Should Turkey become a member of the European Union? Thanks to the session participants who took the survey, the results are clearly stating an opinion. A majority of Delegates, or 63.2% to be specific, answered that they would not support an accession of Turkey into the EU. The survey also shows that the participants opinions differ according to age. For example, the average age of Delegates disapproving of Turkeys accession into the EU is 16.8, while the ones who want Turkey in the EU have an average age of 15.2. One of the reasons for this is that, in the process of growing up, one gets more aware of current issues and learns to better understand what is going on around oneself. This can be seen in the diagramme. Specifically after freezing the demands during the negotiations between Turkey and the EU, Turkish politicians decided to slow down the process of accession. This also resulted in a decrease in the EUs popularity among Turkish people and thus also the session participants, which may also have affected results of this survey. Not being a member of the EU does not mean that Turkey is not a European country, just like Switzerland. Although there are two opposing views about entering the EU, other ways of contributing to the European community could be considered.

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The end is near

Innovative technologies to gain energy offer new possibilities in the battle against non-renewable energy sources. BY SAMUEL MUSHIN (CZ)
The end is near the end of the dirty and prehistoric way of gaining energy. The future is bright and clean. The future of energy is focused on using unused opportunities and gaining from them as much as possible. The future includes no using of technologies that were discovered years ago that have no place in this world anymore and are continuously destructing our delicate world. For this, let us focus on the truly renewable energy sources and just skip the traditional renewable resources such as windmills or water power plants. Here are some innovative energy sources you might not have heard of before: Air is today responsible for 2.5 per cent of the worlds electricity. Air is not only essential to our survival, but it is also a great playground for objects with a bad aerodynamic coefficient. Just imagine: huge kites, connected in pairs with ropes, which create a ground-mounted generator produce electricity by its movement. If that is not energy, then what is? Agricultural leftovers, such as vegetable oil running in diesel cars and ethanol powering Koenigseggs hypercars, is a great source of energy that is renewable, affordable and accessible all around the world. Geothermal advantage: Drilling two wells in the Earth, injecting water into the first one and letting hot steam spin the turbine in the other well is yet another genius, clean and efficient way of producing electricity. Unfortunately however, it is definitely not accessible everywhere. The moon is responsible for tides, huge movements of water masses in the ocean. Why not use their velocity and mass to power our energy-spitting turbines? Finally a personal favorite the sun. Unless you are above the Arctic Circle, you see the sun at least once a day. It is bright, blinding and powerful. Likely, at least once a day you see an unused area where the sun definitely shines. By combining these two factors you can gain a large amount of energy. Imagine those shiny blue panels on buildings. Or do not. The process of developing solar energy has today gone so far that solar panels can be see-through and discrete. You can use them as windows wherever there is sun, and where no windows exist, in deserts, you can have huge solar thermal plants. In the personal belief of many people, solar energy is the energy of the future. What is presented above is just a small sample on the endless menu of energy making. By the time you will be reading this, there will be countless new innovations in the field of renewable energy sources. The process is unstoppable, and this is a fact that we should be thankful for.

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The final destination

BY NOURA BERROUBA (SE)

Ready for take-off, please remain seated until the fasten-seatbelt sign is switched off. Do you recognise these words? For an experienced EYPer, these words are as common as hearing your mother say Tidy your room!. What used to be excitement and adventurous thoughts have now turned into an endless echo of mumbling aircraft staff voices. Travelling might be described as excitement, joy or even happiness; however this is far from true. Carrying heavy luggage, endless queues and the itching pain caused by sitting down for too long are hardly experiences which one would want to repeat.

The charm with EYP is that the travel itself is not the goal of the trip, but rather the people you will meet at the final destination and on the way there. Meeting people, sharing experiences and gaining memories are vital elements of travels, and also of life. The trip itself is just a way to get there. Crystal-clear beaches, lush forests and the grand Alps; these are places which appeal to ones mind. However, imagining the prospect of standing in these destinations all alone is not as exciting. This is due to what could be described as the greatest part of life; the part described as interaction and, preferably, friendship. An interesting, new and

ever so beautiful place will seem dull, estrange and even scary without people. This statement might seem like a clich, but the truth in it is overwhelming. Let us join the journey and reach our own final destinations, be it a meeting, a travel with friends or family or a lonely journey with the aim to meet new people. Wherever you go, whoever you go with, whatever the goals are, the aim of your journey the final destination- is the same. There is only one place which exists where there are so many excited, enthusiastic and open-minded people in the world; EYP. Therefore, EYP is the perfect destination.

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Health vs. civil liberties

Po lit ic
Increased hostility towards a legal addiction why smokers might be the real victims BY SAMUEL MUSHIN (CZ)
Health awareness in the cigarette paradigm has risen dramatically in the last few years; smokers are being banned from, and escorted out of, various facilities due to laws and restrictions created in the pursuit of creating a smoke-free surroundings. This new phenomenon is easily noticeable after a walk through any European city; no-smoking signs are visible on almost every corner and public ashtrays are almost as rare as flying pigs. These questions have unearthed a vital question at which point does public health become a threat to civil liberties? One might ask why anyone would even consider civil liberties when it comes to smoking restriction issues, but 17% of the world population are nicotine addicts with civil rights and responsibilities, just like any non-smoker. Smoking is unquestionably a bad habit, but it is still a habit that is not forbidden by any constitution; it is therefore legal and must be respected by the law. It is one of the very few legal addictions next to alcohol, coffee, chocolate etc. It is without a doubt that smokers can limit and tyrannise non-smokers by disrespecting their personal preference for clean air, but a non-smoker can also do the same to smokers by restricting them from one of their personal preferences. It is a fact that limited exposure to passive smoking will not result in critical health conditions, even though it can be found unpleasant. In the long term, however, passive smoking is more likely to be the cause of some kind of health damage, so there is no doubt that antismoke awareness campaigns fulfill a purpose. However, this does not justify the general lack of respect towards nico-

tine junkies, free markets, civil liberties and personal property. The anti-smoking dogma should not have the power to violate democratic and human principles and rights, such as limiting individuals, business owners, corporations or governments from freedom of movement. Law is, among other things, here to ensure that the freedom of one individual is not violated by another individual. Thus, it is very contradictory that, by protecting one group of individuals, another group is turned into outlaws, rejects and potential assassins. To conclude, a touch of common sense and mutual respect is needed in this clash of two parties, where each side feels oppressed by the other and at the same time is aware of being the oppressor of the other side.

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Gms a waste of time?

While watching soap operas everyday may seem like a waste of time in the eyes of most, the positive attention programmes like Gms, Ask- Memnu and Yaprak Dkm are bringing to Turkey cannot be underestimated. BY DUNJA TANOVIC (UK)
Turks themselves had very little interest in Gm when it was first aired in 2005, thus the program seemed to be a failure, however, the interest it gained in the Arab world and Balkans shows a very different story. On August 30th 2008 over 85 million viewers tuned in to watch the finale of the seemingly failed soap in the Arab world alone. This leading the MBC (Middle East Broadcasting Centre) to claim that the soap, among others of its type, had generated a media revolution. This revolution comes from something that can only be described as the Turkish touch. Every Turkish series is imbedded with Turkish culture, values and identity, allowing foreign viewers to see and experience a side of Turkey that they had never before been introduced to. These soaps, which are heavily criticised by most Turks, have played a key part in the growing interest for soap operas in the country. Gm alone has been credited for sparking a tourist boom to Turkey, which in May 2010 drew 105,000 visitors from Arab countries; nearly a 33% increase on the same month in 2009. Not only are the soaps generating financial benefits for the country from both businesses and tourists alike, they are also sparking an increased interest in Turkish culture. This, in turn, according to leading academics, is attracting more and more people to the study of Turkish literature. Ak- Memnu is based on the infamous novel by Halit Ziya Uaklgil; the only difference between the two variations being the period in which they are set. Yaprak Dkm is also an adaptation of a book written in 1939 by the acclaimed author and dramatist Reat Nuri Gntekin. Professor Nihat ztoprak of Marmara University has even commented that with the rising awareness in Turkish literature, the neighbouring countries have realised that Turkey is not a desert country. The Turkish soap opera is a way for the rest of the world to become familiar with the mysterious country on two continents from the comfort of their own home. Whereas documentaries about modern day Turkey and Turks can be considered tedious and repetitive, the soaps provide a captivating story line and keep their audiences interested - while at the same time, educating them in the Turkish way of life.

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