In January 1998, the Model European Union delegation from Skidmore represented Sweden in the simulation which took place in the European Parliament facilities in Brussels, Belgium. The topic which was discussed during the conference was related to the necessary reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and the proposed construction of a North-South high-speed passenger train, as well as the financial implications of both of these.
Students:
There were a number of students who participated in MEU. These students, and their personalities, are listed below:
| Candice Berdichevsky | Member of the European Parliament |
| Kerry Dobbins | Swedish Prime Minister |
| Amanda Larson | Member of the European Parliament |
| Christy Lewis | Member of the Committee of the Regions |
| Mark Manilov | Swedish Minister of Finance |
| Rachel Manning | Member of the European Parliament |
| Chris McGrath | Swedish Minister of Agriculture |
| Jen Pine | Member of the European Parliament |
Participants:
The following is a list of the schools which participated and the countries which they represented:
| European Commission | St. John Fischer University |
| Austria | SUNY Geneseo + University of Vienna |
| Belgium | Canisius College + KU Leuven |
| Denmark | Colgate University, University of Aarhus + University of Copenhagen |
| Finland | SUNY Fredonia + University of Vaasa |
| France | New York University |
| Germany | Jamestown Community College, Trier University + University of Saarbrucke |
| Greece | New York University + Wellesley College |
| Ireland | SUNY Buffalo, University College Dublin + University of Limerick |
| Italy | SUNY Brockport + University of Bologna |
| Luxembourg | SUNY Fredonia + KU Leuven |
| Netherlands | Columbia University, University of Maastricht + University of Amsterdam |
| Portugal | Canisius College |
| Spain | Cornell University + University of Madrid |
| Sweden | Skidmore College |
| UK | Hamilton College + University of Leeds |
| Hungary | Center for European Studies |
| Poland | University of Warsaw |
Proposal
With the expected expansion of the European Union to the Central and Eastern European countries the Common Agricultural Policy will need to be changed. Currently the farmers in the European Union receive a large amount of subsidies, and when the new nations join they will cause an undue burden upon the resources of the EU. The CAP already consists of 50% of the budget of the EU, and Poland in particular has more an enormous amount of farmers. This means that the amount of subsidies given out for various goods will have to be lowered. The transportation system which was discussed consisted of two high-speed train lines which went from the North to the South of Europe. One line began in the North-East of the EU and continued to the South-East, while the other line began in the North-West and continued to the South-West.
A full copy of the initial proposal can be seen here.
At the end of the conference, after all of the negotiating and voting, a final proposal is complete. A full copy of the final proposal can be seen here.
Guest Speakers
The following is a list of the guest speakers who attended the MEU simulation in Brussels:
Opening Ceremony:
Opening Reception:
Expert Witnesses:
Closing Ceremony:
Committees
The following committees and positions were used during the simulation:
| Council of Ministers | Prime and Foreign Ministers |
| Finance Committee | Ministers of Finance |
| Agriculture Committee | Ministers of Agriculture |
| Transportation Committee | Ministers of Transportation |
| Commission | Members of the European Commission |
| European Parliament Plenary | Members of the European Parliament |
| Socialist Party | Members of the E.P. |
| People's Party | Members of the E.P. |
| Liberal Party | Members of the E.P. |
| EDN/V Parties | Members of the E.P. |
| FE/GUE/ARE/NI/RDE Parties | Members of the E.P. |
| Committee of the Regions | Members of the Committee of the Regions |
Program:
Throughout the conference, there were numerous events planned for us. Among these were Ministerial Committee meetings, Parliamentary Committee meetings, Party meetings, and Country meetings, as well as visits to the Embassies of the EU member states, guest speakers, and dances. To see the full program of events for EUROSIM '98, click here.
Pictures:
To see some pictures which were taken at the conference, click here.
