Simulation and Roles
How the simulation works?
Since MEUS is a simulation of the decision-making process of the European Union, the Ordinary Legislative Procedure is the basis of the format behind our conference. In the real-world, the process of decision-making is far more tedious and takes months and sometimes years to accomplish.
However, in order to make the simulation as realistic as possible in our shorter time span and to ensure that participants learn sufficiently about the Ordinary Legislative Procedure of the European Union, we adopt a Modified Legislative Procedure. This Modified Legislative Procedure allows us to capture as many key-elements behind decision-making in the European Parliament and Council of the EU as possible.
What is a Modified Legislative Procedure?
Our simulation is designed to condense months or even years of legislative procedures into a single week, replicating the workings of both chambers of the EU in an accelerated yet thorough manner. We ensure that every step of the legislative process is carefully represented so participants can get the most out of the experience. Our dedicated content team—comprising Commissioners, Legal, and Political Advisors—is here to guide you through the process.
MEUS is open to young people from all backgrounds, even those with no prior knowledge or experience in European politics. You won't feel lost.
Our goal is to simplify the complexities of the EU legislative process and make participation accessible to everyone. We provide preparatory materials and organize workshops so you feel confident and prepared for your role once the conference begins.
Too much legislative processes?
We got your back!
As fundamental and irreplaceable the simulation of the European Union in the European Parliament is to MEUS, downtime in the evenings is just as important to making MEUS the unique experience that is and letting participants enjoy their experience to the fullest. For these reasons, our Strasbourg Logistics Officers arrange a series of social events and activities every year in and around the city that complement the conference's schedule to provide participants with plenty of chances to relax, spend time with their new friends and enjoy everything that Strasbourg has to offer. The social activities are an integral part of our conference and they put the cherry on top of participants' once in a lifetime week in Strasbourg.
Someone mentioned workshops earlier?
You heard it right!
At MEU Strasbourg, the exchange of ideas and knowledge goes far beyond the plenary sessions. Our simulation offers a range of engaging workshops and insightful panel discussions, providing participants with invaluable opportunities to explore topics in greater depth. These interactive workshops offer a firsthand experience of how decisions are made, policies are shaped, and the dynamic nature of European politics unfolds. In addition to MEPs and Ministers, participants in special roles also receive tailored workshops, guided by our coordinators who bring specific expertise from their own MEU experiences.
In addition to workshops we offer panel discussions that provide access to a wealth of knowledge shared by esteemed experts, policymakers, and industry leaders. From seasoned diplomats to influential lobbyists, these accomplished panelists share profound insights and personal experiences in navigating the complexities of the European Union. They present a wide range of perspectives on EU decision-making, policy formulation, and the challenges tied to the year's chosen topics. These discussions serve as a platform for mutual learning and intellectual exchange, helping participants form a deeper understanding of how debates will unfold during the simulation.
Time to learn the roles!
MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (MEP)
MEPs represent their countries as well as their political group during the debates in the European Parliament. You will be assigned to one of the eight political groups, but you will have to find allies in other groups as you try to push through your amendments – while at the same time working with the Ministers in the Council. You will have a direct impact on the proposals passed and if you work hard enough, you could even draft the most significant amendments that make or break the law!
MINISTER OF THE COUNCIL
In the Council of the European Union, Ministers from each Member State meet to debate the proposals as presented by the European Commission. Your primary focus as a Minister is to defend the interests of your country and the national government you are part of while cooperating and compromising with your colleagues despite competing interests and values. This can be particularly tricky as voting in the Council is based on qualified majorities, considering not only the number of countries voting, but also the number of citizens of each country. Simultaneously, you must avoid conflicts with the MEPs to make sure the proposals also reach the majority in the Parliament.
JOURNALIST
Journalists are a vital part of any political landscape – even if it’s a simulated one. As an MEUS Journalist, you’ll have the opportunity to capture different moments throughout the simulation and then present them according to your role, publishing breaking news in real-time and reporting on the conference in your own preferred way. It is thanks to Journalists that all participants can always keep track of all decisions during the extremely fast-paced sessions. You will also be working closely with Photographers who will help you add visual excellence to articles you will be curating on proceedings in the conference.
INTEREST REPRESENTATIVE
Interest Representatives give lawmakers an understanding of their actions’ impact on the outer world and on the daily life of over 500 millions European citizens. Although often criticised for their influence on the European Union’s legislative process, your actions derive from this simple reality: decisions taken at the European level have a large effect on our daily lives, economies, jobs, environment, income and social protections. As an Interest Representative, you will be an expert on one of the topics debated at MEUS and it will be your responsibility to ensure that the politicians you work with are able to retain an overview of everything at stake during the simulation. By putting your knowledge at their service, you have the unique opportunity to influence the way the legislation is forged and thus guide how it will impact the group and interests you represent.
INTERPRETER
Interpreters play a crucial role at MEUS. They facilitate communication by interpreting speeches, debates, meetings with Interest Representatives, and press conferences—both from English into their native language and vice versa, including relay interpreting for other booths. This ensures smooth communication among all participants. While English is the primary language of communication, interpreters add realism, dynamism, and inclusivity to the conference.
Primarily working in the simultaneous mode, interpreters also have the opportunity to practice consecutive interpreting and chuchotage (whispered interpreting). This immersive environment provides the perfect conditions to develop and refine a wide range of interpreting skills in a real-life professional setting.
PHOTOGRAPHER
As a Photographer you will capture moments of the debate, being the visual storyteller who illustrates what is going on. This will help you to get a grasp of the topics, the people debating these topics and the emotions fueling these debates, making your tasks as a Photographer reach greater depths especially in an intense setting. You will have to pick the best photos, edit them and endue them with our watermark for the MEUS album, released online after the Conference. This demands your willingness to keep up the work even after the Conference has come to an end. But just as for all other Participants, the results of your hard work will be rewarding and lasting for yourself too.
