{"id":200,"date":"2022-01-28T18:34:17","date_gmt":"2022-01-28T16:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mephellas.org.gr\/?page_id=200"},"modified":"2026-03-04T20:41:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T18:41:16","slug":"about-mep","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mephellas.org.gr\/index.php\/about-mep\/","title":{"rendered":"About the MEP"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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About the MEP<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tABOUT THE MODEL EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Model European Parliament (MEP) is a simulation of the European Parliament. It is a leadership programme for youths in the 27 EU member states and guest countries. It was set up in 1994 with a secretariat in The Hague, Netherlands, in the inspiring care of Anna and Leopold van Sminia. Since 2014, the MEP programme is coordinated by an innovative multi-national board with an association based in Vienna.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

It is the only simulation programme where individual school and university students represent their country. These students come from various schools and universities, and they comprise the country\u2019s <\/span>national delegation<\/span>. It is also the only programme whose international <\/span>Plenary Sessions take place in the countries\u2019 parliaments and in the European Parliament<\/span>, and the only one that boasts <\/span>cultural activities and events. <\/span>Last but not least,<\/span> the resolutions are created during the Committee Meetings, and it is forbidden to have prepared them beforehand.<\/span><\/p>

The MEP is one of the largest and most important institutions in the European Union at Upper Secondary school and University level. The students that take part come from schools of excellent academic level, international, diplomatic, European, etc.<\/span><\/p>

The conferences that take place annually \u2013 two international and four Euro-regional (Mediterranean countries, Western Europe, etc.) \u2013 are attended by five- or six-member delegations of students\/university students aged 16-19 from EU Member States, Candidate and Guest countries. The official language of the conference is English and the certificate that students receive is very important for their CVs.<\/span><\/p>

The MEP aims at educating young people about European integration and cooperation and developing skills in addressing high-level international issues jointly among Europe\u2019s decision-makers of tomorrow. It unites the young adults of Europe to a greater understanding and a closer penetration of common European issues as well as knowledge about EU institutions. The programme raises political awareness and promotes comprehension of Europe\u2019s diversity. It is, beyond doubt, a training ground for future leaders and politicians.<\/span><\/p>

The MEP is also a cultural and social event, which allows the participants to experience the diversity of the countries they visit by taking part in numerous social events, such as team building activities, visits to attractions and archaeological sites, cultural nights, and by living with a host family, among others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Finally, it is worth noting that the participation itself initially in such an educational programme and later on in a conference of such calibre acts as a catalyst for the shaping of their personality.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tORGANISATION AND HOW THE SESSIONS WORK\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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INTERNATIONAL SESSIONS\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/h6>

MEP EU 27+ candidate countries and European partners<\/strong><\/p>

2 seven-day international sessions a year<\/strong><\/p>

Two EU 27+ sessions take place on a yearly basis in a different European capital. The working language in international sessions is English. Five students are chosen to represent each EU Member State, and together they comprise a delegation. Each delegate represents their native country in one of ten committees to discuss international issues which appear on the agenda of the European Parliament.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

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The participating States are divided into two pools \u2013 Pool A and Pool B. Each group is assigned 5 committee issues to address with a resolution.\u00a0 The committees are coordinated by Committee Presidents from different countries. The work in the committees is carried out by the young delegates, one from each participating country.<\/span><\/p>

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The common goal is to find consensus within a committee on the draft of a resolution that is discussed during the Plenary Session and vigorously defended by the committee in the hope of winning majority approval.<\/span><\/p>

REGIONAL SESSIONS<\/u><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>

One or two five-day sessions a year\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

MEP Europe is organised into four Euro-regional sections (MEP Baltic Sea Region, MEP Western European Region, MEP Central and South-eastern European Region and the MEP Mediterranean Region) each headed by a regional coordinator. As in the MEP BSR since 2004, Euro regional networking and annual sessions followed in the other three regions of Europe, opening further opportunities for participation. An MEP Alumni branch caters for the needs of former participants, offering a whole range of post-MEP activities and events.<\/span><\/p>

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NATIONAL SESSIONS<\/u><\/span><\/p>

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One or two sessions a year

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On a national level, the MEP encourages European activities, initiated by National Coordinators. In every country, national MEP organisations play a leading role, acting as hosts to an annual national event. As many schools as possible, from different regions, with students from different social backgrounds are invited to join this European project. The National Coordinators promote the development of the European dimension in new establishments as well as ensure the continuation of European activities in schools that have been participating in the MEP already.<\/span><\/p>

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THE MAIN STAGES OF AN INTERNATIONAL MEP<\/span><\/u><\/span><\/p>

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ARRIVAL DAY<\/span><\/u><\/p>

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The delegations are welcomed and picked up at the airport by the organisers. They register at the appointed venue and are led to their accommodation. At night, they all have dinner and get to know each other. <\/span><\/p>

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DAY 1 <\/span><\/u><\/p>

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\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The representatives of the countries are divided according to the committee they belong in and participate in team building activities. <\/span><\/p>

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<\/span><\/span>First day of the committee meetings.\u00a0<\/span>The\u00a0<\/span>committees\u00a0 consist of 2 or sometimes 3\u00a0<\/span>Committee Presidents and delegates from different countries. The delegates who\u00a0<\/span>performed impeccably during previous sessions are proposed both by their\u00a0<\/span>Committee President and their National Coordinator to become Committee\u00a0<\/span>Presidents in a future session. The final decision on the Committee Presidents\u00a0<\/span>and the Presidency of the Plenary Session lies with the President of MEP\u00a0<\/span>Europe. Each committee deals with a topic on a specific issue and the task is\u00a0<\/span>to work out a resolution on the question of the committee.<\/span><\/p>

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DAY 2 – THE OPENING CEREMONY<\/span><\/u><\/p>

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<\/span><\/span>The Head of each delegation delivers the speech of their country.<\/span><\/p>

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<\/span><\/span>Second day of the committee meetings.<\/span><\/p>

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<\/span><\/span>Visits to the embassies of the countries where the Ambassador of each Embassy welcomes the delegation and discusses matters of politics and
diplomacy with the students.<\/span><\/p>

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DAY<\/span><\/u> 3<\/span><\/u><\/u><\/p>

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<\/span><\/span>The committees meet in the morning to reach resolutions to be tabled in the Plenary Session. The resolutions are submitted to the Presidency
and are then corrected by the correction panel composed of native speaker professors. Once they reach their final form, they are sent out. <\/span><\/p>

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<\/span><\/span>The cultural night takes place, where the host country and\/or the delegations of the other countries present traditional dances, songs, dishes or activities\u00a0 they are famous for. In many conventions, the participating countries have also presented themes from their culture. In this way, students come into contact not only with diversity but also with the commonalities that govern EU countries.<\/span><\/p>

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DAY 4<\/span><\/u><\/p>

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<\/span><\/span>Students gather on a country-by-country basis with their National Coordinators\/Directors\/Escort Teachers to discuss the resolutions and decide on any amendments and textual changes they would like to propose, which they write down in specific forms. <\/span><\/p>

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<\/span><\/span>Immediately afterwards, the Lobbying Session follows in which the delegates try to convince as many people as possible to support the amendments they propose by collecting as many signatures as possible. These forms are submitted to the Presidency who decide which amendments to bring to the Plenary Session to be debated, voted in favour or voted against. The goal of this action is to practise the techniques of persuasion, logic, and psychology in minimum time, which requires quick thinking, effective argumentation, and helps to strengthen the self-confidence of young people.<\/span><\/p>

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DAYS<\/span><\/u> 5 <\/span><\/u>AND<\/span><\/u> 6<\/span><\/u><\/u><\/p>

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<\/span><\/span>The Plenary Session takes place on both days, and the procedures are exactly the same as those of the European Parliament. There, the representatives of the countries are invited to discuss the resolutions, amendments and textual changes followed by a vote by country.\u00a0 The aim of the action is for young people to experience the process of exercising democracy in the European Youth Parliament and to understand not only the seriousness of decision-making but also the responsibility and power they have in changing Europe. The resolutions that pass are forwarded to the European Parliament of adults.\u00a0<\/span>On day 6 at night, the conference closes with the\u00a0<\/span>farewell party which gives a tone of fun after seven days of gruelling work.<\/span><\/p>

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DAY 7 – Departure of delegations<\/span><\/u><\/p>

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The programme can be enriched with more activities or a day trip depending on the organisation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>


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