The European Union is one of the most relevant regional organizations in the international community, and one of their cornerstone processes is their parliament. This year, the European Studies Association (ESA) is organizing the first ever Model European Parliament (MEP) in the Philippines; the De La Salle – Model European Parliament (DLS-MEP).
The De La Salle – Model European Parliament, is a one-day student conference that will model the political party, committee, and plenary meetings of the European Parliament. The goal of the conference is to gather students from different fields with differing opinions, with an interest in European Politics, and have them discuss different issues relating to European Regional Stability, via discussions and negotiations. At the end of the conference, delegates are expected to produce a resolution based on the European Commission Directive, and the plenary will vote whether or not to accept the resolution.
Many students seek other sources of learning outside the classroom.
This gave rise to the demand for student-led conferences, which are one of the primary methods for the youth to become more involved with relevant local and international issues. The first of its kind, the Model European Parliament hopes to provide the delegates with a new perspective and a deeper awareness of regional-international issues.
The delegates will have their research, writing, speaking, and negotiating skills developed as they discuss relevant European Issues.
For this year’s session of the Model European Parliament, the delegates will be stepping into the shoes parliamentarian from the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), the Committee on International Trade (INTA), and the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO).
Topics include the Dublin Regulation, the One Belt One Road policy of China, and the Constitutional Implications of Brexit.
The conference preparation has been ongoing for half a year, with the Central Committee and Chairs working with all hands on deck to produce a substantially relevant conference. The Executive Committee is hoping that the delegates will leave the doors of De La Salle University with sparked interest in the European Union, honed skills in debate and negotiation, and diplomatic connections that last a lifetime.
