Monday, January 31, 2011
EuroPaS 2011
The European Parliament Simulation (EUROPAS) is a quite remarkable effort taking place at the University of Piraeus. It simulates one of the main functions of the European Union, the European Parliament.
The European Parliament Simulation 2011 is a partnership among the University of Piraeus, the bureau of European Parliament in Greece and a newly founded institute, Institute of Research and Training on European Affairs. It is necessary to report the aid of the French Institute in Athens.
It is to be carried out in the installations of University of Piraeus on April 15-18 and it is addressed to all the students of Greek and foreign Universities.
Participation
Each and every participant is supposed to act like an actual Member of the European Parliament (MEP). As a member of a political party each MEP will have to defend its party’s and country’s interests and policies on
the agenda discussed at each simulated parliamentary committee.
The goal of each parliamentary committee is to reach to a unanimous decision.
The committee sessions will be held in English, with the exception of a single French committee, the committee on Culture and Education. Moreover the official rules and standard procedures of the EP are going to be followed (adapted if needed), in order to achieve maximum similarity to the actual conditions of decision making. In the frames of achievement of real conditions the appropriate dress code will be mandatory.
Every committee will have at its disposal a well-prepared board and the expertise of a university professor responsible for it. Thus, there would be no question unanswered and every participant will have the guidance needed to reach high standards of performance.
Simulated Committees
1. Human Rights (DROI)
3. International Trade (INTA)
4. Foreign Affairs (AFET)
5. Culture and Education (CULT)
EUROPAS 2011 by all means will prove to be a constructive learning experience, which aims at helping each participant to understand the functions of the EP and the parliamentary procedures in general.
Throughout the simulation, it is possible to fully perceive the way that EU handles and manages the different problems appearing.
Moreover, it is a unique opportunity of practicing and improving negotiation, communication and diplomacy skills as well as reaching higher levels of the English or French language.
