TYs Attend Model EU Council Event

On Monday, seven Transition Year students took part in the Model EU Council event, representing Carndonagh Community School in a full-day simulation of European decision-making. The event gave students the opportunity to step into the role of government ministers and experience how EU policies are negotiated in real life.

Each student was assigned a different EU member state and prepared positions on key policy issues before the session. Throughout the day, they engaged in debate, negotiation, and consensus-building, mirroring the procedures used in the actual Council of the European Union. Students had to justify their country’s perspective, propose amendments, and collaborate with other delegations to reach shared agreement.

The event demanded strong teamwork, public speaking, and critical thinking skills. Students quickly learned how complex policy-making can be, especially when 27 countries must balance national interests with European priorities. They also gained practical insight into themes such as climate policy, migration, security, and economic cooperation, topics central to the TY Politics and Society programme.

Participants responded very positively to the experience. Several students highlighted how much they enjoyed the formal debate structure, while others noted that negotiating with other “ministers” helped build confidence and a deeper understanding of the EU’s role.

The students also got a tour of UCD as part of college awareness week.

Overall, the Model EU Council offered an engaging and memorable day of active learning. It strengthened students’ understanding of European politics and provided valuable skills they can carry into future civic and academic work.