in Brussels, young students play the role of EU leaders to simulate a European Council

Young students from the 27 countries of the European Union, six per country, discovered behind the scenes of European negotiations participating in a fake European Council.

As in all real summits, it begins on the large red carpet lined with 27 flags with declarations from the heads of state and government such as the Belgian Prime Minister: “I’m very excited to be here [Je suis très heureuse d’être là]“. For the exercise, English is required but as in real life you can question the managers : “Just a question in French, please.” Impeccable in her navy blue suit, Lauriane, a 22-year-old student years old, plays the role of President Emmanuel Macron: “So today we are experiencing a historic moment for the Union…”

Nearly 160 students, mainly from faculties and institutes of political studies from the 27 Member States, are since Monday 8 April in the premises of the European Council in Brussels to simulate a summit, a few weeks before the European elections. For this role play which will last two days, there are six of them per country and will put on the costume of leaders, ambassadors, ministers and advisors. The objective is to find a compromise on the regulation of Artificial Intelligence.

Head to one of the vast rooms of the European Council. Around the table, the fake Charles Michel distributes the floor. “Thank you, and now Susana for Poland [Merci, et maintenant Susana pour la Pologne].“ Students negotiate for two hours in search of a compromise on a complex subject. At the exit, the French president, Laurianne, says she is surprised : “It was quite different from what I had prepared for. It’s true that talking to 27, that poses certain difficulties. Everyone tries to respect their speaking time while asserting their positions and it’s quite complicated.”

Each capital has its say

Anaïs played the role of cybersecurity advisor for Luxembourg. She provides technical and legal expertise to her head of state and her minister. “We met Lithuanians, Swedes, talked a lot with the Germans, it was really very interestingrejoices the student. Being able to understand and have other points of view. It’s true that it’s still very rich.”

Émilien, 22, put on a beautiful suit. Like Anaïs, he is a student of European affairs. He plays the Belgian Minister of Digital. An area where Europe sets the standard, believes the student who is also amazed by the exercise : “It’s these kinds of things that show us that indeed, we are all very united while being very different and I think that also has a beautiful message.”

“Our negotiations and our agreements have normative power in the rest of the world and it is quite impressive to observe. Here we observe it particularly with the subject of artificial intelligence.”

Émilien, student in European affairs

at franceinfo

The objective of this simulation is to show these young people that Brussels is not an external entity which decides everything but that within the Council each capital has its say, explains a spokesperson for the institution.