Students have their say on Europe’s migrant crisis

SECONDARY school students from around Ireland confronted Europe’s number one challenge earlier this month as they role-played being the Council of the European Union in Dublin Castle,

The students debated the EU’s response to the largest flood of refugees since the Second World War at the ninth annual Model Council of the European Union.

Each of the 28 schools took the part of a different EU Member State in what was to be an intense and well-informed discussion.

Barbara Nolan, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, explained why the topic was chosen.

“The plight of thousands of migrants putting their lives in peril to get to Europe has shocked us all,” she said.

“It is clear that no EU country can or should be left alone to address these huge migratory pressures.

“It is Europe’s most severe refugee crisis since the Second World War and requires a radical strengthening to the EU’s migration system. This crisis is at the top of the European Commission’s agenda.”

The event, which is organised every year by the European Commission Representation in Ireland, took place in The Printworks Building in Dublin Castle.

Students from St Joseph’s of Cluny, Killiney, who played the role of Greece were declared winners. Runners-up were St Flannan’s College of Ennis, Co Clare, who played the part of the Netherlands.

Announcing the winners, the judges said: “The standard today was so high and the commitment of everyone who took part was so impressive, it was a difficult task.

“Clearly, these young people here today have a deep awareness of social issues and the legal problems Member States have to grapple with at EU level. Their teachers also deserve much praise. Congratulations to St Joseph’s and to St Flannan’s and to all the schools who made today such a success.”

The judging panel was made up of Brian Killoran, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland and Noelle O’Connell, Chief Executive of the European Movement Ireland, while Mary McCaughey, Head of Information and Communication of the European Foundation for Living and Working Conditions chaired the debate.

St Joseph’s were presented with the prize of a ‘Euroscola’ visit for their class to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. As well as this, each member of the team received a certificate and an iPad Mini 2.

Altogether seven Dublin schools from Clondalkin, Clonskeagh, Ranelagh, Killiney, Rathcoole, Finglas and two from Blackrock, took part in the debate.