Welcome to the Model European Parliament!

A non-partisan leadership programme for youths in EU member states, candidate and applicant countries.

The aim of the MEP programme is to develop interest and skills in addressing high level international issues jointly among Europe’s decision makers of tomorrow.

The Model European Parliament is a leadership programme for youths in the 27 EU member states and guest countries.

The aim of the MEP is to educate young people at high school level about European integration and cooperation, and to develop their understanding of common issues as well as provide them with knowledge about EU institutions. The programme develops political awareness and an understanding for Europe’s cultural diversity.

Set up in 1994 with a secretariat in The Hague, Netherlands in the inspiring care of Anna and Leopold van Sminia, the MEP programme since 2014 is coordinated by an innovating multi-national board with an association based in Madrid.

MEP Europe is organized into four Euroregional sections (MEP Baltic Sea Region, MEP Western European Region, MEP Central and South Eastern European Region and the MEP Mediterranean Region) each headed by a regional coordinator. As in the MEP BSR since 2004, Euroregional networking and annual sessions will follow in the other three regions of Europe, opening up further opportunities for participation. An MEP Alumni branch will cater for the needs of former participants, offering a whole range of post-MEP activities and events.

In recent years the MEP has caught on well in candidate countries. The FYR of Macedonia and Turkey have been hosts to international sessions. Lately Serbia and Albania have joined the Model European Parliament programme.

The MEP is a training ground for future leaders and politicians as well as for talented students who share an interest in European issues. It is also a cultural and social event, which gives the participants the opportunity to experience the diversity of the countries around Europe. They take part in various social events, such as teambuilding, discussion forums, dances, sightseeing along with living with a family in the host country.

On a national level, the MEP encourages European activities, initiated by National Committees. In every country national MEP organisations play a leading role, acting as hosts to an annual national event. As many schools as possible, from different regions, with students from different social backgrounds are invited to join this European project. The National Committees promote the development of the European dimension in new establishments as well as ensure the continuation of European activities in schools that have been participating in the MEP already.

Two EU 28+ sessions take place a year in a different European capital. The working language in international sessions is English. Five students are chosen to represent each EU member state, and together they comprise a delegation. Each delegate represents his/her native country in one of ten committees to discuss international issues which appear on the agenda of the European Parliament. The common goal is to find consensus within a committee on the draft of a resolution that is presented to the General Assembly and vigorously defended in the hope of winning majority approval.