Foyle and Oakgrovestudents experience EU debate at Stormont

STUDENTS from Foyle and Oakgrove Integrated Colleges joined 27 other schools from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to gain first hand experience of the cut-and-thrust of international politics at the seventh annual mock Council of the European Union.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Nov 2011, 14:08 BST

The heated debate took place last week in the Senate Chamber in Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

Organised by the British Council and the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland the mock Council sets out to recreate the environment of a real Council of the European Union meeting. 

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The Council of the European Union is, together with the European Parliament, the main decision-making body of the EU and brings together Ministers from each of the 27 Member States. 

Foyle and Oakgrove Colleges travelled jointly to the event.

David Alderdice, Director British Council Northern Ireland said: “This project provides the participants with an opportunity to engage with real European issues beyond their everyday experience and stretch their skills as debaters and young leaders.

“In their role for the day as European Ministers the students really nailed what it is to bring passion to a debate while also seeking a positive shared result through compromise and diplomacy. The day really allowed the students to spread their wings and experience a new dimension to their education – an international dimension - that we know from experience really benefits them as they develop their place in our society.”

The mock Council involved schools from Limerick to Larne, providing a valuable north-south dimension to the dialogue.

Related topics:Northern IrelandRepublic of IrelandFoyle