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With Siambr Hywel at the National Assembly for Wales acting as the Council of Ministers in Brussels, students will debate whether all member states of the EU should adopt the Euro by 2015 and whether constitutional and institutional changes to the EU should be determined by referenda.
Hosted by Education Minister Jane Hutt, each of the 27 participating schools will represent one of the EU Member States, with the final school representing the European Commission. A team of two students per school will take on the role of government ministers with the UK being represented by two students from IES Pius Font i Quer school in Barcelona.
Catalonia has a long standing relationship with Wales. Last year the visiting school was Jaunpiebalga School in Latvia, another of Wales’ partners, which has links with one of our Welsh schools.
Jane Hutt said:
“We’re honoured to welcome back, for the second year, the Mock Council of the European Union in Wales. Today’s event will build on the success of last year providing students with the opportunity to debate and vote of key issues affecting the EU.
“I am sure that everyone involved will find today’s experience extremely rewarding. This a fantastic opportunity to practice debating and diplomacy skills while gaining a firm grasp on how the EU operates.”
Andy Klom, Head of the European Commission's Office in Wales, will be assisting with the opening of the Mock Council. He said:
"I am delighted that a Mock Council is being staged in Wales for the second year in a row. This is a great opportunity for young people to get a real life insight into the functioning and activities of the EU.
"Whereas past generations in Europe were condemned to the trenches, today's EU shows that present and future generations of young people will tackle the big issues of our times with the help of pen, laptop, debating skills and most of all, their wits. Good luck to all our young Europeans participating in the Mock EU Council."
24 September 2009
