Organised by James Madison University, University of Florence and EUI School of Transnational Governance, the "Model EU Florence" provides an opportunity for students to take on the roles of EU foreign affairs ministers, commissioners and EU press correspondents to better understand the European Union, by proposing and discussing ideas and solutions to the most pressing issues currently on the table of the Brussels decision-makers.
Since 2010 James Madison University in collaboration with Scuola di Scienze Politiche Cesare Alfieri of Università degli Studi di Firenze has organised yearly a Model European Union Florence, which enables students to develop and hone policy analysis, diplomacy, negotiation, team-building, and cross-cultural communication skills. In 2023 the EUI School of Transnational Governance has also joined the Model EU Florence.
The Model EU Florence is supported and assisted by practitioners from the EU institutions, who share with the students their invaluable insider knowledge and vision about the day-to-day workings of the EU's most important institutions and the structural, organizational, ideological and political reasons behind specific policy decisions by Brussels actors.
Working on actual EU legislative materials under the guidance of academics and EU professionals, stepping into the shoes of EU decision makers and having to negotiate solutions to the most controversial policy dilemmas of the day are experiences which allow students to truly comprehend the inner workings of the European policy-making system.
Running from 31 October to 6 December, MA students from James Madison University, University of Florence and EUI School of Transnational Governance will take part in five on-site trainings hosted by the organisers. The programme will conclude on 6 December 2024 with a final full-day simulation of actual EU negotiating and decision-making processes, held at the EUI School of Transnational Governance’s premises in Palazzo Buontalenti.
Please note that students need to check with their university about the application procedure.