Yes, your eyes aren’t deceiving you, the above picture is of our beloved MUN club - at the European Parliament! For the first time ever, our members had the opportunity to visit Brussels, the de facto capital of the European Union.
A one-day trip, we left by bus at 9am, embarking on a 3.5hour drive full of laughter, enjoyment, and anticipation. Because who wouldn’t be excited, visiting one of the most significant institutions of our time?
When we arrived, we enjoyed a nice 30 minute break to stretch our legs and explore the area around the Parliament complex. Some decided to visit the shops, others opted for a walk around the vicinity, while yet others decided to settle at cafés or local vendors. In other words, we thoroughly enjoyed the “Quartier Européen”, or European District, and the many amenities it has to offer.
Then, at 1pm, we entered the Parlamentarium, passing through security and ready to learn about this complex machine which drives so much of our daily lives - without us knowing! First we were given an insightful presentation on the history of the members of the European Union, how the Parliament functions in the context of the institution as a whole, and how it functions in terms of meeting. I for one am incredibly proud of our members for the immense display of curiosity into these operations.
“It was a great, really interesting and unforgettable experience here in Brussels. It’s interesting how such a complicated process can be shared with anyone.” - Andrea and TK, Grade 10
Then, we were led to the hall where the fantastic picture this article begins with was taken - the place where 3 times a month, the parliament amend and vote on resolutions full of recommendations for the members to implement. The process of translation was explained to us, along with the issue presented by the current complex when it comes to these translations - there are simply not enough places for new languages to be translated in the hall should more than 3 states join! Luckily, with the global introduction of remote working, solutions are available, even if not ideal.
“It was such an eye-opening trip and I absolutely loved learning about the inner workings of the European Parliament!” - Aadya Makvana, DP1
Unfortunately, soon after this the end of our enthralling tour had come. Finishing with an explanation of the 3 story sculpture by Olivier Strebelle, ‘Confluence’, housed in the magnificent stairwell, we eventually bid adieu to our lovely guide, and left the complex.
After a short break (extended by a need to use some of Brussel’s other types of amenities), we once more boarded the bus, and left the beautiful city and, later, Belgium as a whole. Upon reflection, it was an insightful trip, which was beneficial in not only teaching us about the EU and EP, but also in furthering our interest and intrigue into international diplomacy.
And on that note, I, on behalf of the MUN club, would like to thank Mr Skarvelis and Mr Maguire for organizing the trip and accompanying us. It was a fantastic experience and one I certainly hope the next generations of MUN will get to experience.
Written by: Jana (DP1)