High school participates in EU Mock Council
Abigail Miller
Published: 12:32 PM November 16, 2016
Josh, Mark Farrar and Ella preparing for their visit to the EU Mock Council in London. - Credit: Archant
Students from around the UK will take part in a mock EU summit on November 17.
Among them will be two year 12 pupils from Reepham High School. The event will be held at the Church House, Westminster.
Josh Sutton and Ella Hawes will be accompanied by Reepham High School and College Principal Mark Farrar to the event pupils from the school have attended for several years.
The European Council defines the EU's overall political direction and priorities. Students will play the roles of national leaders from across Europe, European Union officials and the British media.
A total of 65 young people will gather to discuss whether the United Kingdom, as it prepares to withdraw from the European Union, should remain in the Erasmus+ programme for young people. They will also the European Arrest Warrant, which allows suspects to be returned more quickly to face trial in the country where they are suspected of committing crimes.
Ella and Josh have been asked to represent Finland at the mock council meeting and in preparation Josh visited the Finnish embassy. There he met with the Finnish First Secretary and their Press Officer to discuss issues at the focus of the mock summit, and more generally Finnish spending on EU issues.
Josh said: 'I followed the Brexit debate closely, but I was too young to vote on it. This is my chance to have my say'.
The programme will be opened by Lord Boswell of Aynho, Chair of the House of Lords EU Select Committee, with welcoming remarks by Jacqueline Minor, Head of the European Commission Representation in the UK.
The EU Mock Council has taken place annually since 2010 and is geared towards 16 to 18-year-old students, giving young people a chance to comprehend the EU's decision-making process in debates on topical policy issues.
A short video of the 2015 event can be found hereThe EU Mock Council is supported by the eTwinning programme, which provides a safe, secure online collaboration environment where students can prepare for the event.
eTwinning is co-funded by the EU's Erasmus+ Programme and managed in the UK by the British Council. The Mock Council has built upon a successful series of similar events held by the British Council and the European Commission for schools across the UK since 2010.