Mock Council of the European Union: students debate
Mock Council of the European Union: students debate on European issues. ©

© Image is subject to British Council's Terms and conditions

Mock Council of the European Union 2016: English and Scottish schools and colleges

Want to give your students a chance at negotiating within an international environment?

Applications have now closed for Mock Council 2016. Please check back for more details on the next Mock Council event.

Overview

In the Mock Council, 30 schools are each assigned the role of an EU member state or an EU institution and simulate a meeting of the EU's Council of Ministers on two topical EU policy proposals. Two students from each school must research these policy areas and represent their adopted country or institution at the Council meeting. 

Students are encouraged to use foreign languages where possible in the discussions to reflect the multilingual nature of the EU; interpretation into English is provided. Applications are welcome from secondary and further education colleges across England and Scotland. We will aim to let you know the policy areas for discussion and background documents on specific proposals by the end of September. 

This year there will be an additional role for one school to represent 'the media'. Your school can apply for this role in the application form; the aim of this role will be to generate interest before, during and after the event, through interviewing participating schools and so on, via the Mock Council facebook page and the Twitter hashtag #EUMockCouncil.  

The 2016 Mock Council of the European Union in England and Scotland is organised by the European Commission Representation in the UK and the British Council.

For 2016 Mock Council events in other parts of the UK, please follow: Northern Ireland (Mock Council) and Wales (Mock Council).

 

Check out highlights of the event from 2015 below:

EU Mock Council 2015 highlights 

EU Mock Council 2015 debates 

EU Mock Council 2015 interviews 

 

The proposals discussed in 2015 are available for your perusal below.

Application terms and conditions

  • This application form can only be completed by teachers; students may not apply.
  • We will be recruiting two pupils to be accompanied by one teacher (on the day of the event) from each of the selected 30 schools. Schools will be required to state a reserve teacher, and two reserve students, in the case those selected cannot attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
  • Teachers present on the day will be as observers but will be able to sit near their students, so should be prepared for a day of observation of stimulating debate!
  • Students must be between the ages of 16-18 on the day of the event.
  • Students taking part will be encouraged to speak in another European Union language where possible during the discussions, particularly in their opening statement. Interpreters will be present. 
  • All teachers participating in the event should be registered on www.etwinning.net and will be invited to join an eTwinning twinspace (project space) set up for Mock Council 2016 where all information about the event will be stored
  • All teachers applying to participate in the event will be asked to describe how their students participated in the themed debates which were held to celebrate the eTwinning Day, on topics such as tolerance, conflict prevention and migration, as preparation for debate at the event. See here for further information. Note that you will need to invite your classroom to debate about diversity, create one-minute presentation and celebrate it by sharing your presentation or video. Describe your activity in your application form or just email the Mock Council team (Mock.Council1@britishcouncil.org)  the content or link created by your pupils as soon as the debates finish, no later than 21 August. 
  • All schools selected will be encouraged to set up an eTwinning project with a partner school from the country they are representing on the day, on a topic of their choice, to encourage knowledge of the country represented. 
  • A pre-requisite for participation will be consent to being filmed and photographed during the event; all teachers and parents of students selected will be asked to fill in a form confirming permission.

NB: Before registering, please check that the date does not clash with any diary commitments. Please also ensure that you have Head teacher and senior management support.

Timelines and deadlines

  • The deadline for this opportunity has now passed.

For schools based outside of London (defined as outside of the M25)

  • Travel tickets will be provided.
  • Accommodation will be provided for schools in a hotel in London the night before the event.

If you have any queries or need any clarification regarding the event, please do not hesitate to contact us via Mock.Council1@britishcouncil.org.