EuroSim
Encyclopedia
Simulation
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
of a major European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
issue.
More than two hundred students, drawn from universities in North America and Europe, participate in the simulation. All students are assigned roles, including heads of government, Members of the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
and the press. Students prepare for the simulation at their own universities, with the help of faculty advisers and guidance that is provided through the EuroSim Web and course management site. Researching the simulation topic and the assigned roles constitutes an important part of all students' preparatory work. The simulations themselves are held over a period of four days, with the venue alternating between the U.S. and Europe annually.
Recent issues simulated include energy policy, asylum policy, food safety, enlargement, the Constitutional Convention, the Intergovernmental Conference
Intergovernmental Conference
An Intergovernmental Conference is the formal procedure for negotiating amendments to the founding treaties of the European Union. Under the treaties, an IGC is called into being by the European Council, and is composed of representatives of the member states, with the Commission, and to a lesser...
and EU neighborhood policy.
History Of EuroSim
The idea for a model European Union came in the fall of 1987 when students at SUNY (State University of New York) College at Brockport asked the political science department to sponsor a model United NationsModel United Nations
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
. After thorough consideration by faculty, students at SUNY Brockport agreed to be involved in a project regarding what was formerly called the European Community.
The first simulation was held on the Brockport campus, April 8–10, 1988. Involving SUNY and private New York schools, the simulation held the title SUNYMEC (State University of New York Model European Community). It wasn’t until 1992 the simulation established the label EuroSim and became a trans-Atlantic exchange with its first overseas meeting in Luxemburg. The 2003 simulation event was the first time EuroSim was a trans-Atlantic endeavor - a sure sign of the simulation’s maturity. The term “trans-Atlantic” indicates the simulation is organized and planned by faculty and students from both Europe and the United States. In fact, EuroSim 2003 was the first time the simulation was planned by U.S. and European student directors equally.
The second most recent simulation was held at Europaisch Akademie in Otzenhausen, Germany from the 3rd till 7 January 2008. The topic of the simulation was the Kosovo and the situation in the Balkan.
The most recent simulation was held at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, April 2–5, 2009.
Sponsorship
EuroSim is funded and supported through sponsorship by the following organizations:- TACEUSS, the Trans-Atlantic Consortium for European Union Studies and Simulations, a not-for-profit corporation whose members are dues-paying colleges and universities both in Europe and North America. Its mission is to conduct annual simulations of the European Union and provide study and research opportunities for students enrolled at colleges and universities within its consortium.