Model European Parliament – AFNORTH International School Brunssum

Esteemed delegates, honourable Chairs and Fraction Heads, respected directors and guests,

The European Union today faces possibly more challenges than it has ever done in its past. We stand on the brink of financial ruin, in a world rocked by the impact of authoritarian regimes, dwindling resources, intolerance and social injustice. We have witnessed the effects of the Arab Spring in Africa, of the destructive potential of nuclear power, as tragically seen in Japan, and of the economic crisis here in Europe. We have seen that we are not yet able to provide the education that the young people of Europe deserve, and that we are still left to find the fairest form of representation for all of our member states. These are issues we have debated this weekend. We have successfully passed common positions on each of them. But we must not forget that these are not fictitious issues. These are the issues of our world- the world we will inherit; the world we will have to run.

Europe is a small but powerful force in this world. It will soon be our job to deal first-hand with these issues, and with the unknown challenges that still await us in the future. The task that lies before us is not an easy one. We have goals and agendas that maybe not all of us share. But it is our job to not let this stand in our way. It is our job to put our stubbornness and our pride to one side and to co-operate. We must remain a Europe that is united in diversity, not just in our cultures, but in our ideas, and in our solutions.

If there is one thing that we must remind ourselves when we stand facing the great unknown that tomorrow holds, it is this: to open the door to a closer, more united Europe, memory is the key.

We must not forget the struggles we have faced in the past which have pulled us closer together.

We must not forget the challenges our ancestors faced when the idea of a Europe united was first proposed.

And we must not forget the spirit of co-operation from which the EU was born.

The Anglo-Irish novelist Samuel Lover once wrote “There is a beautiful saying amongst the Irish … to inspire hope under adverse circumstances:- “Remember,” they say, “that the darkest hour of all is the hour before day.””

Delegates, I believe that this weekend, you have proved Mr Lover correct. You have proved that, although we are on the cusp of dark times, the future of Europe is indeed bright. You have co-operated with one another to form five strong common positions, all but one of which we have passed through the General Assembly. You have heard and respected one another’s views on topics you may not have ever considered before. You have improved your skills at debating, at getting your voice heard, and at hearing the voices of others. I’m sure I speak for the entire student officer team when I say delegates- you have done us all proud.

Memory, delegates, is the key to our future. Do not forget the issues you have debated here this weekend. Do not forget the positions that you have heard; do not forget the friendships that you have formed. All of them will stand you in good stead for the future. Remember, delegates, that you are not part of Europe. You are Europe. With every person here today, no matter what you do in life, rests the shape of the Europe of tomorrow.

We are the Europe that will face the challenges that I have mentioned, and many more. We are the Europe that will encounter times where the very foundation of our Union is threatened by depression, by conflict, by civil unrest. But we are also the Europe that will overcome the darkness of the night, and walk triumphant into the dawn.

Thank you, delegates!

A cruel, but perhaps a fitting metaphor for the European Union at the moment is a ‘house of cards’. If a single card topples, it will cause the whole house to come crashing down. While the strength of this European ‘house of cards’ is debatable, the fact still stands that the countries of the EU rely upon each other now as much as the individual components of a ‘house of cards’ do.
However, in the EU’s case it is not the force of gravity pushing down on the cards it is the economic pressure caused by a global financial crisis
Europe is bound to itself by the Euro, but we stand on the brink of a decision that could see one of the initial adopting nations of the Euro being removed from it.

But The EU is seen by many as a decision making body whose disparate opinions make it indecisive, even in a time of crisis but it is not the only decision making body under pressure; Greece’s Prime Minister faces a vote of no confidence, following his decision to cancel a Referendum on the country’s planned austerity measures.

Can the ‘houses of cards’ of Europe survive and indeed prosper if it seeks to make the ties between each card weaker?
It is physically impossible for a single card to resist the force of this financial gravity and stand up all on its own. Likewise it can only be by strengthening the bonds between European countries that we can begin to make our way forwards, relying on one another as the cards in a ‘house of cards’ do.

This brings me to our Model European Parliament itself; and its place as a government simulation and what I think it gives each of us. It is my fervent hope that MEP will open your eyes to the way that the EU works to solve issues. But not only that, I believe what you achieve this weekend can prove to everyone that that processes that define how the EU can create decisive and progressive results

MEP is often described as an event, but I believe that there is always something more of an experience than an event about it. By this I mean that one is within the experience MEP, rather than simply observing the event as a spectacle. All of us know why we choose to attend MEP, and it is a very active choice to do so, whether it is to; become more confident at public speaking, or simply more confident within yourself. Or, for those who have English as a second, third or even fourth language; we usually have the pleasure of the presence of at least one of these gifted individuals at MEP.

MEP provides an authentic situation in which to practise them
It is undeniably a powerful and rare addition to your CV
You may attend simply because you enjoy expressing your opinions, as I most certainly do. And just perhaps you enjoy listening to the opinions of other people as well. It is for many of us more than one of these.

Before my first MEP, which was also my very first government simulation, the world of diplomacy seemed a distant thing. But MEP helps us to understand how the governing systems that play so much of a part in our lives, operate
It allows us to take on the mantle of Members of the European Parliament for ourselves,
If previous Model European Parliaments are a clear indicator of this coming weekend’s success I know that we, the young people of a Europe in turmoil, can step into these roles spectacularly.

Last Friday students from various schools arrived at the Aachen Youth Hostel were they gathered to prepare for the 10th Model European Parliament session later this year. Every student was selected for a role as a student officer. Even though most of them met for the first time there seemed to be immediate connectivity. The positive energy going through this group created the perfect context for a wonderful, productive and successful weekend. This year students were selected from a variety of schools. The presidents come from Windsor school in Rheindalen. Together Kyran and Callum will form a strong team leading the 10th session of our Model European Parliament. They will be leading a team of student officers coming from schools such as the American school of Paris, Neues Gymnasium Bochum, Ecole Internationale Le Verseau, Kreisgymnasium Heinsberg, Burggymnasium Essen, Michael Ende Gymasium Toenisvorstand. Later this team will be completed with some students from Max Planck Gymnasium in Gelsenkirchen and Sigmund Schuckert Gymnasium from Nuernberg.

After the initial ice breakers the students were prepared of their roles under the guidance of Sebastian Groeblinghof , Jason Smith and Robert Bindels. The MEP director of the Windsor school was also present.

Working on proposals for directives; learning about he procedures to be followed, preparing how to present the fractions, creating a mock debate and trying out leadership roles in group debates were just some of the items covered. Culture was experienced in down town Aachen on Saturday evening.

After some more debate on Sunday the students officers all returned home to enjoy the last little bit of their weekend.

It was a great experience.

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