This year, the IE School of International Relations was pleased to organize the 2nd European Union Simulation. The event was designed to offer students valuable insights into decision-making processes within the EU. Students from the BIR, Dual BBA-BIR, and Dual LLB-BIR programs were invited to participate in this unique opportunity to confront and analyze topics relevant to today’s political landscape, including migration and refugee movements in Europe.
The event took place on May 5th at our Segovia Campus, and was led by Jochen Müller, political counsellor at the Representation of the European Commission in Spain.
The European Union Simulation allows students to engage with EU decision-making processes within a real-world context. Students experience first-hand how European institutions operate and how negotiations take place. This year’s edition had participants deal with the current challenges facing the European political landscape, such as the migration patterns of refugees.
Delegates were placed in teams of two cooperating Member States (team Germany-Austria, team Italy-Greece, team Hungary-Slovakia, team Spain-France) as well as teams of European institutions, including the European Commission and the European Parliament. The delegates were tasked with finding a solution and organizing a response to the refugee crisis in Europe.
After hours of debates and negotiations, the delegates successfully arrived at an agreement, offering solutions such as creating an EU Coast Guard, and developing a deployment protocol for such an institution.
How to apply to future editions of the European Union Simulation
For anyone interested in participating in this event in the future, keep in mind that the application process is fairly competitive. Due a limited number of places, the selection committee will choose delegates based on GPA and their application essay response. Application is open to any International Relations student from both the Madrid and Segovia campuses.
To apply, students must complete a brief essay (450-550 words). This year’s edition asked students to respond to the following question: “Does the current refugee crisis represent a threat or an opportunity for the future of the European Union?” Once the essay portion of the application is complete, the student must specify their preferred role for the conference (students may request up to two roles).
Students are then invited to submit their application via email, detailing their name, last name, nationality, degree, year, campus, and IE email.
All International Relations students are strongly encouraged to apply. Participating in the European Union Simulation allows for a better understanding of how the European Union works. Delegates engage with decision-making mechanisms to bring about real solutions to today’s most relevant political challenges.
