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Sponsored by AFNORTH International School, MEP simulates the basic concept of decision-making in the European Union.
The MEP involves about 270 students from several different countries. A number of students meeting prior to the main conference will represent the EU Commissioners preparing legislative proposals on topical European issues. These proposals for directives (available on the AIS website: http://www.afnorth-is.com/MEP) will serve as input for debate in the parliamentary committees and later in Parliament itself.
Other students will obtain the position of a member of Parliament representing a delegate from a European country. Apart from representing a certain country, delegates are also members of one of the four big parties in the European Parliament.
By promoting the interests of a country other than their own, students learn to break away from narrow, national self-interest and develop a true European outlook and spirit of cooperation. “We learn how to make compromises and find a balance between our position and the views and opinions of others,” said senior Alexandre LeBlanc, one of AFNORTH’s delegates.
Student participants also improve their public speaking skills. For those who attend schools taught primarily in a language other than English, MEP offers an excellent opportunity to enhance language proficiency in English.
The European Parliament is the world’s largest multinational parliament. It reflects the political will of more than 490 million European citizens. As the process of European economic and political integration has steadily advanced over the past few years, so has the role and importance of the European Parliament. The accession of new member states in Jan. 2007 marked a further milestone on the way to a united Europe.
“Considering that the decisions of the European Parliament affect almost all people living within the borders of the EU, we regard it of great significance to simulate the workings of this decisive European political instrument,” said Robert Bindels, AFNORTH Assistant Director.
“Our aim is twofold: to provide participants with a deeper insight into European institutions and to foster an understanding of political decision-making processes within the EU. We also hope to promote international integration and a European spirit among young people,” he explained.
NATO ID card holders are invited to join the formal opening session of Model European Parliament at 9:15 a.m. on Nov. 7 to hear keynote speaker, Esther de Lange, a member of the European People’s Party. She is Vice-Chairwoman of the Delegation for relations with Iraq, and a member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. For more information, contact the AFNORTH’s International Directorate at 0031-45-527-8221.
