Master's in Management Students Take Over European Parliament

Before the seminar, students undertake online courses on how European Parliament works; the history of Europe, its founding and how it works; and which powers govern it. Similarly, the students must research about the subject and prepare for their role in their given party.

Isabella Zanotti who was placed in the European United Left/Nordic Green Left Party in the economy committee group said: “It was challenging because they are very extreme.

“When the moderator explained what we had to do, he said ‘The Green Party is really extreme in what they want, and they don’t want to compromise.’

“I’m a very compromising person, I’m always in the middle so it was challenging in that perspective, but it was interesting.”

Rim Mrabet who was in the Internal Marketing and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committee group said: “It can get a bit heated between the parties. I think it’s because everyone believes in their point of view and wants to get it across, so you have to go back and forth a lot between members.”

Being able to participate in an event of this nature can only promote personal growth, intellectual understanding and confidence, which participants (both students and industry professionals) agreed with.

Patricia Galler of the IMCO committee said: “I think it’s been a good experience of learning how the European Parliament actually works.

“You can picture people sitting here and debating, thinking of good solutions, and how hard it is actually because you have so many different opinions and countries. It’s really hard to find a common ground.

“I think it’s fun debating, stating your position and opinion.”

Rim added: “I learned I have some set ideas and it’s good to challenge them sometimes.

“The parties on the right, although I disagree with them, came across with points that were interesting which made me think more about my ideas.

“It’s interesting to debate because it gives you more perspective, and it also helps you go further in your points and your arguments, so it’s always good to be open.”

Isabella also enjoyed the experience but thought having an active MEP or committee member working, so students could watch them in their day-to-day work would have been beneficial too. She said: “To see someone in action would be interesting, as Michel Barnier’s talk about Brexit negotiations was very interesting.”

Within each committee group, students were overseen by experts in the field, working as an advisor and bringing industry experience and knowledge to guide the MiM students where necessary.

Stéphane Saurel, Head of Unit at the European Investment Bank (EIB) oversaw the budget committee group and described them as a top performer group.

He said: “I’m involved to help the students to get a resolution as close as possible to the real-life of the European Parliament, because the game is to try to get a resolution adopted by the students.”

European Parliament is an intricate governing body, with many functions and agencies. So just how beneficial is this roleplay?

Stéphane said: “It’s a once in a lifetime experience. It’s really great that ESCP organizes it; I think it’s the only school offering such an experience to students.

“I participated in this experience in previous years and it’s quite amazing that students are really involved in the process, gaining deep knowledge about what is going on, which they will have to do in their job in the future. They will have to influence what is going on in Europe about many regulations impacting on their day-to-day business as tomorrow’s leaders.”

The main focus of the event was of course coming to a resolution on the EU Green deal, an important part of the European agenda today.

Stéphane said: “What they will learn will be useful in their future, to help them understand how things are organized here in Brussels, how they can influence things, and they will also realize how difficult it is to decide with 27 member states and 705 members of the European parliament in the decision-making process.”