Running for her second term as President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen published her Political Guidelines For the Next European Commission 2024-2029 under the headline: Europe’s Choice. In her view, the European Union faces profound challenges ranging from security to climate change to competitiveness. Taking up her office in July 2024, Ursula von der Leyen has a clear answer: “Against this backdrop, I believe Europe must choose its best option: Union.”

We invite you to represent one of the Member States of the European Union, the President of the European Council or the President of the Commission and take part in the Seminar and the Meeting of the European Council to deal with these and other questions relating to the challenges faced by the European Union today. We especially invite European students to represent their home countries since we envision this meeting to be much more than "just" a simulation.

Students from all faculties may apply for participation. For your preparation, we will provide for a comprehensive Background Guide with information on the European Union as well as negotiation techniques and the Rules of Procedure.

The seminar will be structured in two parts with sessions held weekly on Thursdays, 16-18 hrs. The first part will give an introduction to the European Union as well as specific topics relevant to the debate prepared by participants. On 29-30 January 2026, the European Council will meet to discuss the various topics.

Participants are expected to research their respective country’s position independently and take over the presentation of a topic listed below by preparing a 10-12 page summary on the subject and present it to the class (up to 3 presenters per topic = team work!). Delegations are also asked to prepare a two-page Position Paper. Each Delegation will consist of 1-2 persons.

Please note that the seminar/conference language will be English. It is possible to receive 5 ECTS-credits (Schlüsselqualifikation or Fremdsprachenfachkompetenz = ABV, FB Recht).

 

Applications are to be sent until 7 October 2025 to Peggy Wittke (peggy.wittke@fu-berlin.de).

Your application should include:

• Personal Details (Name, Phone, FU-Email, Field of Study + Semester, Student ID Number)
• Short letter of motivation (3-4 sentences only)
• 3 Country preferences (EU-Members, European Council President, EC-President or Rapporteur*)
• 2 Briefing preferences (Topic No.)

 

Members of the European Council: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden; as well as the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Rapporteur*.

* The Rapporteur will be responsible for monitoring the Meeting of the European Council and providing a Report at the end as well as serving as Assistant to the Presidency/Chair during the Meeting.

Briefings

 

I. The European Union: Identity and Values

1. Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and the Rule of Law (Summary and Presentation due on 24 October, 12.00 h, via Email)

2. The EU Strategic Agenda 2024-2029 (Summary and Presentation due on 24 October, 12.00 h, via Email)

 

II. The European Union as an Economic and Monetary Union

1. Competitiveness (Summary and Presentation due on 31 October, 12.00 h, via Email)
2. The Schengen Area (Summary and Presentation due on 31 October, 12.00 h, via Email)
3. The Euro Zone (Summary and Presentation due on 31 October, 12.00 h, via Email)

 

III. European Defence and Security

(Summary and Presentation due on 7 November, 12.00 h, via Email)

 

IV. European Union Action on Sustainability

1. The 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the EU (Summary and Presentation due on 21 November, 12.00 h, via Email)
2. The European Green Deal (Summary and Presentation due on 21 November, 12.00 h, via Email)

 

V. The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

(Summary and Presentation due on 28 November, 12.00 h, via Email)

 

VI. The European Union in the World

1. Enlargement (Summary and Presentation due on 12 December, 12.00 h, via Email)

2. Neighborhood Policy (Summary and Presentation due on 12 December, 12.00 h, via Email)

3. The European Union and the United Nations(Summary and Presentation due on 2 January, 12.00 h, via Email)

 

For further information please contact Dr. Peggy Wittke:

Faculty of Law
Model UN/Model EU
Tel.: (030) 838 547 05
Email: peggy.wittke@fu-berlin.de