24 August 2023

Wanted: participant in EU Council of Ministers simulation

Dear third-year students in the bachelor programmes of the Institute of Political Science,

The European Union is organising a simulation of the Council of Ministers on 18-19 April 2024: ConSIMium. Each Member State may send students to participate. Leiden University can select 1 student to take advantage of this instructive opportunity. The Institute of Political Science will present a candidate (and reserve candidate) from the third bachelor year (in academic year 2023-2024) to the University in mid-September.

Selected students must meet the conditions added below to participate in the simulation. Specific attention is paid to merit (GPA) and interest in and knowledge of decision-making at EU level. The simulation in April 2024 will take place in Brussels. Travel and accommodation costs are reimbursed by the EU. In addition to the simulation in April, students are also expected to participate in a preliminary training session organized by the National Coordinator (Maastricht University).

Application deadline: 11 September 2023

To apply, please fill in this form before 11 September 2023, 17:00. You will be asked to add your CV (including nationality), grade list, and a letter of motivation (max 2 pages).

The selection is made by the Director of Undergraduate Studies (Dr. Leila Demarest) together with the Director of Education for the Master programme (Dr. Matthew di Giuseppe). For questions you can contact Dr. Leila Demarest.

Conditions

• Selected students should enjoy full rights as a citizen of a Member State of the EU.
• Selection should be based on the student's merit, as defined and measured in the national university system.
• Fairness and equal treatment of all participants should be ensured.
• Students should have a good understanding and demonstrate an interest in EU affairs.
• Gender balance should be ensured within the selected team.
• A balance in terms of study course (i.e. students should come from at least two different types of studies) is recommended in the selected team.
• A balanced geographical representation within the Member State is recommended, in line with the specificities of each Member State.
• All the participants should be proficient in at least two of the official languages of the EU; a good level of English - at least B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) – would be an asset.