Two UL European Studies students to experience European Council negotiations first hand in Brussels

On 20 – 21 February 2025, over 160 students will meet in Brussels to take part in ConSIMium – a European Council simulation experience. Over two days, teams of six students from 27 EU countries will step into the shoes of national representatives and role play negotiations between the EU member states at four different levels.

Two UL students, Cara Conlon (4^th year BA European Studies) and Conor Scannell (1^st year Double Degree MA in European Studies) will join four students from TCD and UCC to represent Ireland. 

The purpose 

ConSIMium 2025 builds on two previous events in 2023 and 2024. It is a hands-on experience of decision-making in the Council of the European Union and the European Council. The simulation allows students to understand the role of the member states in decision-making, the role of the Council’s Presidency, the value of deciding together and the importance of reaching a compromise. The scenario is based on real European legislation and countries’ negotiating positions. The simulation takes place in the Council buildings’ meeting rooms where ministers and EU leaders meet. 

The structure 

The participants will take one of the following roles: head of state or government, minister, ambassador (permanent representative to the EU), national expert or journalist. In each meeting, representatives of the Presidency, the Council Legal Service, policy departments, and the European Commission will play their real-life roles alongside the students.

The participants 

The participating students are selected at national level. The Irish team is co-ordinated by Prof. em. Joachim Fischer, Centre for European Studies, University of Limerick. The six students have been selected from Irish universities currently running European Studies degree programmes: Cara Conlon (UL), Lauren Cusack (TCD), Kieran Hand (UCC), Lena Power (UCC), Conor Scannell (UL) and Meadhbh Wogan Murphy (TCD). 

The topics

The topics for this year’s ConSIMium simulation exercise are two Regulations relating to Common Procurement within the European Defence Industry and Sustainable Supply of Critical Raw Materials. They highlight to what extent the exercise aims to echo current issues and simulate real life negotiations.

For more details on the previous edition, visit www.consilium.europa.eu/en/events/consimium/. Or contact the coordinator: joachim.fischer@ul.ie.