Students from Larne Grammar were joined at school earlier this year by Eddie McVeigh, Head of the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland to officially launch this year’s Mock Council of the European Union. The event, now in its fourth year, is once again being organised by the British Council and the European Commission. On Friday 17 October 2008 students from Larne Grammar School will join twenty seven other schools from across Northern Ireland in the Long Gallery in Parliament Buildings, Belfast to debate topical European issues such as climate security and European enlargement.

Eddie McVeigh, Head of the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland commented:

“I am delighted that the Mock Council has had such an enthusiastic response from NI schools during the past three years and I hope that this year’s students will enjoy the chance to debate the future of the European Union.”

At the event in Stormont, students will also hear first hand from Jane Morrice, one of two representatives from Northern Ireland on the European Economic and Social Committee. Jane will chair the meeting, bringing her vast experience in local politics and in working in Brussels to the table.

Jonathan Stewart, British Council said:

“”The Mock Council began in 2005 to mark the UK Presidency of the EU but there has been such an enthusiastic response from schools that we have decided to run this as an annual event. Each year we have expanded the remit and impact of the event by bringing in new dimensions such as the production last year of a DVD recording the proceedings.  We are looking forward to hearing the students debate topical European issues in October.”

Larne Grammar School last year took on the role of representing Ministers from Lithuania and the school has already registered to participate again this year. Ronnie Lee, co-ordinating teacher at the school speaking today “The students really enjoyed participating last year and learnt so much about the importance of intercultural dialogue as each school took on the role of representing one of the twenty seven member states and had to think and present from the perspective of other European countries.”

Schools interested in participating in this year’s event can download an application form and Watch some of last year's  proceedings (wmv) or see it on Youtube ....  or order a free DVD highlighting proceedings from ERCNI@britishcouncil.org