Model European Union 2019 – European Council Simulation

University students passionate about Migration issues

• Model European Union 2019 was held on May 23 at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies also marking the 30^th anniversary of the European Union’s Jean Monnet programme
• Student delegates representing 28 EU Member States conducted a heated debate on the agenda of  migration
• Two, top prize winners to be provided with an opportunity to participate in an summer school programme in Europe sponsored by the European Union.

The Model European Union (MEU) 2019 was held with the participation of 36 Korean and international university students and avid interest from 103 high school students at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies on 23 May.

Funded by the European Union in the framework of the EU Policy and Outreach Partnership theModel European Union 2019 this year focused on a a simulation of the European Council.

The Eurpean Council is  a summit of the 28 EU Member States and presided by the President of the European Council, with active roles of the Presidents of the European Commission and European Parliament, as well as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The MEU 2019 was organised by the Delegation of the Eurpean Union in cooperation with and co-hosted by the three Jean Monnet EU Centres of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yonsei University and of Korea University.

The MEU 2019 was organised to enhance the understanding of the European Union among young Koreans and foster mutual understanding and partnership  between the EU and Korea, also marking the 30^th anniversary of the Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence around the world. The Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence is a European educational programme funded by the European Union in commemoration of the French political economist and diplomat Jean Monnet (1888-1979), who is recognised as one of the founding fathers of the European Union.

Migration has emerged as a global issue, and as such was chosen by the MEU 2019 Secretariat as this year’s agenda : 'How can all European Union Member States agree on one Migration Policy? As the EU Member States have different views on the issue, the students representing each Member State engaged in heated debates and discussions demonstrating their skills in persuasion and diplomacy, all the while becoming one step closer to a better understanding of how the European Union functions.

The student delegate representing Germany showed the most persuasive and diplomatic abilities taking into consideration the situation of the country and the values of the European Union regarding migration. The delegate was awarded the Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea Award.

The winners of the Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea Award and the HUFS President Award will both be given an opportunity to participate in a summer programme at a prestigious university in Europe.

University students joined the MEU 2019 and participated in a 10-hour-long MEU meeting which started at 10 am. During the meeting, they presented and discussed the views of each Member State and voted to reach a final Conclusion . In the process, nine judges, including professors of the Jean Monnet Centres as well as the students of the MEU 2019 Secretariat, presided over the entire process of the discussions and proceeded with an evaluation of the delegates.

At MEU 2019, more than 150 students including students from 8 high schools (Hansung Girls’ High School, Sungshin Girls’ High School and etc.) as well as university students participated to watch the proceedings of how the European Council reaches a consensus through mutual understanding and democratic procedures. 

Dr. Michael Reiterer, Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea said, “We are continuing a practice which was interrupted since 2016, and the enthusiasm shown by students in the preparatory process tells me that we were right to do so. You have chosen a difficult and potentially divisive theme, migration. Korean students did a good job operating in a cooperative manner to achieve the desired result – as honorary Europeans the students showed a strong sense of cooperation and compromise while respecting the rule of law,” and had great praise for the students who participated this year.

This year's Model European Union selected 36 university students from all over South Korea for their talents and capabilities through English interviews, debates, and presentation skills. They have been preparing for nearly 3 months in the role of the secretariat, delegates representing 28 EU Member States, President of the European Council, President of the European Parliament, President of the European Commission, and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.