Year 12 students Ishrat C, Molly R, Amy B, Imogen C, Rosie T, Becky P, Tabby P and Hema N travelled to Liverpool Hope University for the European Youth Parliament Summer National Session held from Thursday June 29th - Sunday July 2nd. The students were separated into committees comprised of representatives from schools all over the UK and even from Belgium and the Netherlands. After team-building exercises and a formal Opening Ceremony, the students re-formed in school groups to put on a buffet supper, each school representing a different country. Howell's represented Switzerland with cheese, crispbread, chocolate and Swiss rolls.
Very early the next day, the committees met to discuss and draft resolutions to be put before the General Assembly, the resolution booklet being published very late on Friday night after the delegates and teachers took part in a pub quiz event won by Becky's committee. At the GA, held all day Saturday and on Sunday morning, nine detailed resolutions were fully debated and voted on in the chamber. It was an exhausting but exhilarating experience, and the students even found the energy to put on a Euroconcert on Saturday evening, both Molly and Imogen accompanying their solo singing on a Steinway piano.
After the Closing Ceremony, the girls said goodbye to their many new friends and left for home. We were delighted to hear that Ishrat has been selected to take part in an international EYP to be held in Greece in late August. Congratulations to her and to all the Howell's team for the excellent research, team-working and debating skills shown over a very intensive four days.