The FINANCIAL -- Students from secondary schools across London will be making decisions on some of the most pressing issues facing the European Union next week [3 November], when they take part in a mock meeting of the Council of the European Union.

In the historic Locarno Rooms in Whitehall, groups of students will represent each of the 27 EU Member States, as well as the European Commission and Secretariat-General of the Council. They will come together to debate and cast votes on issues around climate change - a current EU priority in the lead up to December’s UN climate change conference in Copenhagen - and universal broadband access for Europe.

According to British Council, the event will provide insight into how EU Member States work with each other and the Commission in order to debate and shape policy which will have global impact. It will be an excellent opportunity for potential future leaders to hone their debating, diplomacy and language skills.

Students have been selected from British Council school-linking programmes and this event is part of the organisation’s 75th anniversary activities, which run throughout 2009. Some students will be able to research the countries they are representing through their European school partnerships or through meeting with the relevant embassy representatives in London.

Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council, said: "Over 75 years the British Council has worked to build cultural understanding between people in the UK, Europe and around the world, through initiatives like the European Union's Comenius programme. It is very fitting that in these rooms, named after a very different way of settling our issues in Europe, we are bringing together students from our schools programmes to experience first hand how links with our European neighbours work now.

“As our future decision makers, it's vital for young people to gain an understanding of how democratic institutions work, the global issues which they debate and other countries' viewpoints on those issues."

Minister for Europe, Chris Bryant, commented: “The Mock Council is a fantastic opportunity for students to put their critical thinking and debating skills to the ultimate test. The event, organised by the British Council, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the London Representation of the European Commission, provides an invaluable insight into the decision making process of the EU and the real issues and compromises that need to be made as a citizen in a democratic arena.“

The event will give students, aged 16-18, the chance to hear first hand from guest ministers and other speakers from the UK and Europe, including the Minister for Europe and Matthew Rycroft, EU Director at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Students will present ‘their’ country’s standpoint and make alliances with other countries during working groups, before casting their final votes in Council sessions, where they will sit behind the flag of their adopted country.

Sarah Lambert, Acting Head of the European Commission Representation in the UK, said: “The Mock Council is a lot of fun because it gives students a chance to learn first-hand the art of political compromise and decision making in the European Union.”

This is one of a series of Mock Council events being held England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

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