On the 13th -20th of April of this year Charlotte Albert, Ginny Johnson and Dilly Leech were international delegates on behalf of the United Kingdom at MEP 2008, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Charlotte writes about their experiences below.
It was to turn out to be a week of revelations, frustrations and friendship making as we discussed the problems facing countries of the European Union and how to deal with them in our committees comprising of a representative from every European country and observers Ukraine and Turkey.
There were around ten committees, each focussing on a specific issue such as civil liberties and human rights (my committee) and education (Dilly) The week was, rather scarily, in the format of actual European Parliament sessions- although, they have months to formulate resolutions (the document that contains all your committee’s proposals addressing and sorting out respective problems). We had just four days – two days spent debating and correcting English around tables with our committees and two days sitting in parliament with signs to hold up saying ‘United Kingdom’ and personal microphones with which to address the Parliament. Exciting stuff.
Not only did we learn a lot about international politics by actually experiencing it, we got to explore a completely different country independently. Although accompanied by wonderful ‘clucky mummy’ Ms Stratford, we were allowed to roam free on the streets of Stockholm, staying with host families and ambling our way to parliament on the very efficient subway each morning in suits and heels (not good on cobbles, as I have learnt)
Each committee has a president, who starts discussion and collates information for Parliament. You must also thank them for the privilege of being allowed to talk
‘ United Kingdom’
‘ Yes so I think we shou…-‘
‘Please address the presidency’
‘ Thank you Madame President’
And so it went on...
Anyway, it is customary at MEP that all foreign delegations are received by their respective Embassies. Phil, the president from the UK, told decadent tales of the British Embassy in Slovenia where he had enjoyed hospitality last year at MEP. With this, we were all anticipating great things, but, to our surprise, we were met by the flustered second in command who directed us to an underground restaurant and told us that a main course would be ‘ok’ but ‘things were a bit tight back at the embassy’ so drinks and desert were a no-no. Nice. Considering that the delegation of Luxembourg received an invitation to the palace from the king and Queen of Sweden, no less, as the Duke of Luxembourg was informed of their visit, and our chap scuttled off after an hour, my bitterness may be rationalised.
The most challenging element of the week was without a doubt, presenting your committee’s resolution to the Parliament. Sitting in a row away from the rest of parliament, the resolution is read out and then immediately, cards from our very well informed European peers go up, shooting questions about this treaty and that statistic, testing your nerve. (Bear in mind, this is in front of literally hundreds of people) After the resolution has been ripped to pieces, it is usually the native English speakers role to persuade everyone why they should vote the resolution through. The votes are given in a style rather similar of that of Eurovision. Jokes aside, it was genuinely interesting to experience and understand a process which now affects around 80% of legislation in the UK.
I realise that some people are a little sceptical when it comes to Europe and our role in it, and I can understand this. However, there are some issues that must be tackled internationally as a European Union to have a strong effect globally such as putting pressure on growing superpowers such as China – we are kidding ourselves to think that a post empirical Britain has enough influence on its own.
As somebody interested in the wider world and meeting young people with similar interests, the week was fantastic and I would jump at the chance to go again, but, as equal opportunities would have it, a new delegation will be heading to MEP 2009 – Bratislava anyone?
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