This looks like a lot of fun--deadline is the end of the month.
The European Union Center of Excellence of Seattle is proud to present:
The Fifth Annual
West Coast Model
European Union
March 6-7, 2009
University of Washington, Seattle
The European Union Center of Excellence in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington in Seattle is pleased to invite you to join us at the fifth West Coast Model European Union, March 6-7, 2009, where we will simulate the upcoming Czech EU Presidency of 2009. The goal of this simulation, in addition to acquiring in-depth knowledge about the European Union, is to provide students a forum in which to gain experience in public speaking and negotiation skills, to apply their research, organization and planning skills, and to meet with colleagues from a variety of schools while learning about teamwork and leadership.We recently sent out hard copy invitation to faculty members schools and faculty who have previously shown interest in the Model EU or have had ties to EU Center. This email follow-up is sent as a reminder and as a way to reach out to people who did not receive a hard copy invitation.
What is the Model EU?
The Model EU is a simulation of European Council summits that take place during a member country’s presidency. Teams of two undergraduate students play the roles of representatives of EU member state delegations. This year the students will negotiate issues to be discussed during the Czech presidency of 2009. The 2009 Model EU will feature two concurrent summit negotiation sessions focusing on the following issues: Energy Policy and Enlargement.
Who Can Participate
Each attending college or university is invited to send one or more teams with a faculty or staff advisor, who will also act as a judge. Depending on the response, we may limit the number of delegations each university/college may send. You may send your country requests, which will be taken into consideration, but country assignments will be made on a 'first-come, first-serve' basis. Please note that graduate students may not attend as team participants, although they may accompany teams as advisors.
What Can Participants Expect and What Is Expected of Participants
Students prepare by researching the issues to be negotiated and their country’s position on these issues. Participants are expected to produce and submit two documents prior to the conference: a position paper and proposed resolution in which they draft a resolution to bring to the negotiations before the conference. Individuals are also expected to actively participate in negotiations during the conference. Submission of these two documents by the due date (February 20, 2009) is required to be eligible for awards. Awards are given to individuals for their preparation, representation, and diplomacy. While many students who participate in the Model EU have some previous background in European Studies, most students are not EU specialists before signing up and students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds are welcome.
Travel, Lodging & Food
Thanks to a European Commission grant, the European Union Center of Excellence of Seattle will provide one night of lodging for students in double or triple rooms at a hotel near the UW-Seattle campus for teams traveling from outside the Seattle area. The EU Center is unable to defray costs for the advisor or additional students outside of the allotted team assignments, although we can reserve a hotel room at the university rate. In addition to lodging, the EU Center of Seattle will provide dinner on March 6 at the opening session, lunch on March 7 during the simulation, as well as snacks for all student participants and judges (breakfast is provided by the hotel free of charge). Please note that due to our limited funding we can no longer provide transportation subsidies (e.g. flight, ferry, or ground transportation reimbursements).
How to Register
If schools are interested in sending a team, a faculty advisor should RSVP by email with a statement of interest, his or her contact information, and the contact information of all team members. In addition, a program fee of $30 per student, payable as a check or money order to the University of Washington, should be mailed to the European Union Center at the earliest possible date to the address below. (Credit cards cannot be accepted.) The program fee will offset the costs of materials and meals and may be paid by the institution or by the student. Please note that the faculty advisor is responsible for collecting all program fees and information. Students should not contact the European Union Center of Excellence individually.
EUCE Mailing Address:
European Union Center of Excellence of Seattle
ATTN: Model EU
Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies
University of Washington
Box 353650
Seattle, WA 98195-3650
Letters (or emails) of intent to participate should be received, from the faculty advisor, no later than October 31, along with requests for country assignments and desired number of delegations. We will begin assigning country delegations in early November. Student fees and the names of participating students are due no later than January 23, 2008. Any costs incurred from changes beyond this point will be the sole responsibility of the participating school and country delegations may be reassigned to a waiting list.
More Information
Information on the Model EU, including materials to help prepare for the event, including the Presidency’s agenda, will be posted to the West Coast Model EU web site
(http://jsis.washington.edu/euc/meu/) starting in January. More specific hotel and conference schedule information will be provided by early February. For questions or more information, please contact Karen Boschker, Outreach Coordinator for the EU Center of Excellence and the Center for West European Studies at the University of Washington, at euc@washington.edu or 206-616-2415.
We look forward to hosting you in Seattle!
Best regards,
Karen Boschker
Outreach Coordinator
