The annual Model Council of the European Union debate for secondary schools took place on Friday 9 March in the Printworks in Dublin Castle.
The theme of the 2018 debate was the Future of Europe. Schools debated a simplified version of the European Commission’s 2017 White Paper: The future of Europe – Reflections and scenarios for the EU27 by 2025. The event was opened by Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee TD. Former Secretary-General of the European Commission, Catherine Day chaired the debate.
The Model Council is an annual debate for secondary schools organised by the European Commission Representation in Ireland. It is a simulation of a meeting of the Council of the European Union and involves teams from 28 secondary schools, each of which represents an EU Member State. The event allows schools to gain first-hand experience of the EU’s decision-making process. Holy Family Community School role-played Greece in an intense and well informed discussion among other schools from across Ireland.
The picture below shows: (Front L-R) Fourth year students Caoimhe Healy , Luca Crone and Kelsey Boggins who represented Greece with (back L-R) Catherine Day Former Secretary General of the European Commission who Chaired the debate ,Gerry Kiely Head of the European Commission Rep in Ireland , Helen McEntee T.D. Minister for European Affairs , Noelle O’ Connell Executive Director of the European movement in Ireland , Her Excellency Mrs Katia Georgia Ambassador Of Greece , Mary McCaughey Head of Information and Communication Eurofound and James Temple Smithson Head of the European Parliament Office in Ireland and where they where debating at the twelfth annual Model Council of the European Union.
