Model European Parliament
The Model European Parliament (MEP) is an international simulation of the working of the European Parliament for students aged 16–19. The aim of the programme is to give young people an insight into the workings of the European Parliament and raise their awareness of European citizenship.[1] Two sessions are held each year, each involving 180 secondary school students.[2]
| Model European Parliament | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Frequency | Biannual (spring & autumn) |
| Location(s) | Varies |
| Years active | Since 1994 |
| Previous event | Autumn 2015: Berlin, Germany |
| Next event | Spring 2016: Budapest, Hungary |
| Participants | 180 students per session |
| Organised by | Model European Parliament Foundation |
Format
The format of the MEP resembles that of the actual European Parliament: approximately 15 delegates of different nationalities form a committee that debates a certain topic extensively and drafts a resolution, a non-binding piece of legislation outlining the key issues of the topic and proposing solutions.[3] The drafting process is followed by lobbying, during which delegates may debate and propose amendments for other resolutions. The finale of a session is the General Assembly (GA). During this, resolutions and amendments are debated and voted upon by all of the delegates. Any successful resolutions are then forwarded to the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of the European Union.[4] The elder members are titled as Presidents or Chairs, while the youngers are entitled as delegates.
Participating countries
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As of 2013, participants come from all 28 member states of the European Union and two candidate countries: Republic of Macedonia and Turkey. Each country can choose five delegates in any way they deem appropriate. Many hold regional and/or national sessions using the same format but with a smaller scope.[5]
List of international sessions
The following international sessions have been held or announced:[6]
- 1994 Spring:
- 1995 Spring:
- 1996 Spring:
- 1996 Autumn:
- 1997 Spring:
- 1997 Autumn:
- 1998 Spring:
- 1998 Autumn:
- 1999 Spring:
- 1999 Autumn:
- 2000 Spring:
- 2000 Autumn:
- 2001 Spring:
- 2001 Autumn:
- 2002 Spring:
- 2002 Autumn:
- 2003 Spring:
- 2003 Autumn:
- 2004 Spring:
- 2004 Spring:
- 2004 Autumn:
- 2005 Spring:
- 2005 Autumn:
- 2006 Spring:
- 2006 Autumn:
- 2007 Spring:
- 2007 Autumn:
- 2008 Spring:
- 2008 Autumn:
- 2009 Spring:
- 2009 Autumn:
- 2010 Spring:
- 2010 Autumn:
- 2011 Spring:
- 2011 Autumn:
- 2012 Spring:
- 2012 Autumn:
- 2013 Spring:
- 2013 Autumn:
- 2014 Spring:
- 2014 Autumn:
- 2015 Spring:
- 2015 Autumn:
- 2016 Spring:
- 2016 Autumn:
- 2017 Spring:
- 2017 Autumn:
- 2018 Spring:
- 2018 Autumn:
- 2019 Spring:
- 2019 Autumn:
- 2020 Spring:
- 2020 Autumn:
Model European Parliament Baltic Sea Region
The Model European Parliament Baltic Sea Region (MEP BSR) is an international organization that includes eight member states of the EU situated in the Baltic Sea Region, but also welcomes delegates from Iceland, Norway and Russia (Kaliningrad). The MEP BSR, which is organised and managed by the Model European Parliament BSR Association, uses the same format as the main international MEPs, but with ten delegates representing each country rather than five.[7]
List of MEP BSR sessions:[8]
- 2005 Spring:
- 2006 Spring:
- 2006 Autumn:
- 2007 Spring:
- 2007 Autumn:
- 2008 Spring:
- 2008 Autumn:
- 2009 Spring:
- 2009 Autumn:
- 2010 Spring:
- 2010 Autumn:
- 2011 Spring:
- 2011 Autumn:
- 2012 Spring:
- 2012 Autumn:
- 2013 Spring:
- 2013 Autumn:
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- 2014 Spring:
- 2014 Autumn:
- 2015 Spring:
- 2015 Autumn:
- 2016 Spring:
- 2016 Autumn:
- 2017 Spring:
Model European Parliament Central and South East Europe
The Model European Parliament Central and South East Europe (MEP CSEE) is an organisation largely similar to MEP BSR, but it invites students from member states Austria, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, candidate countries the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, and neighbouring countries Moldova, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro.[9]
List of MEP CSEE sessions:
Model European Parliament Western European Region
A Western European version was launched in Autumn 2016 with the participation of Belgium, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
List of WEMEP sessions:
- 2016 Autumn:
- 2018 Spring:
- 2019 Autumn:
- 2020 Spring:
Model European Parliament Mediterranean Region
The Model European Parliament Mediterranean Region is a non-partisan leadership programme for youth in Mediterranean countries. The aim of the MED MEP Region programme is to develop interest and skills in addressing high level international issues jointly among high-school students. The program is a training ground for future leaders and politicians, and is mainly aimed at Italy, Croatia, Albania, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Cyprus, France and Turkey[10]
List of MEP MED sessions:
Similar projects
The European Youth Parliament and Model European Union are separate projects, but follow the same format as the Model European Parliament to some extent.[11][12]
References
- "Model European Parliament". Goethe Institute. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
- "Model European Parliament". Wymondham College. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- MEP Foundation. "Guidelines for MEP sessions" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
- "MEP Netherlands". Retrieved 15 April 2013.
- "What is the Model European Parliament?". MEP Norwich 2013. Archived from the original on 4 July 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
- "All MEP Sessions". MEP Europe. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
- "About MEP BSR". Retrieved 15 April 2013.
- "Past sessions". MEP Baltic Sea Region. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
- "About". The Model European Parliament Central and South East Europe. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
- "MEP Mediterranean Region". MEP. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- "European Youth Parliament: What we do". European Youth Parliament. Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- "What is MEU?". MEU Strasbourg. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
