Liepāja 2026 - 20th National Selection Conference of EYP LV

Liepāja 2026: The 20th National Selection Conference of European Youth Parliament Latvia, themed "On the Shores of Democracy," aims to engage young Europeans to discuss the popularity of democratic participation, environmental responsibility, and ocean and water protection. The conference is making sure the participants realize that inclusive governance, public participation, and informed policymaking are all critical to the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems. The conference focuses on creating a debating atmosphere among young people from various European countries about how democratic societies can respond to environmental challenges affecting seas, coastal regions, and freshwater systems. During the conference, participants will take part in committee discussions, relatable activities, and debates addressing current environmental and governance challenges. Young people will explore the current problems and policy questions about ocean protection, marine pollution, sustainable resource use and the role of democratic institutions in shaping environmental policies through collaborative work in international teams. The conference aims to encourage participants to discuss ongoing political problems, exchange perspectives, and formulate policy recommendations that reflect both environmental sustainability and democratic accountability. The expected impact of the conference is to strengthen ocean literacy and democratic engagement among young Europeans while raising awareness of the environmental challenges affecting European seas, particularly the Baltic Sea. As one of the most polluted seas in the world due to factors such as eutrophication, marine pollution, and intensive human activity, the Baltic Sea is a critical example of the environmental challenges facing European waters. The conference aims to help young people to understand the importance of environmental protection and responsible governance in coastal regions by letting the participants learn and discuss the current state of the Baltic Sea. Through these activities, the conference supports the objectives of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” by promoting awareness of marine sustainability and encouraging youth participation in environmental governance. The conference provides to spreading information about the state of the Baltic Sea, nurturing cross-European discussions on marine protection, and encouraging young people to engage with policy solutions mainly focused on protecting ocean and freshwater ecosystems for future generations by connecting democratic dialogue with environmental responsibility under the theme “On the Shores of Democracy."