EU Simulation Game 2016
On May 14 in the setting of Tulla Culture Center was conducted the training session of the EU Simulation Game.
Mrs. Fjoralba Caka, professor affiliated to Faculty of Justice at University of Tirana introduced the topic chosen and its aims and goals “Possibility for the Member States to restrict or prohibit the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on their territory ”. This topic was selected as an important matter that affects not only different economy sectors such as economy, agriculture, health and food safety but it has its own important relevance on different levels of states as individuals and EU as a unified actor. Due to the fact that the negotiation procedure is an important tool during the decision making procedure and furthermore the improvement of negotiations skills was one of the objectives to be fulfilled during the activity a power point presentation on negotiations methods and different types of negotiators was provided as well. Mrs. Caka noted that in different contexts and situation the same representative may use different negotiation profiles which might be more relevant in the specified context.
Moreover Mrs. Sajmira Kopani, who has been awarded as one of the Best Performances during the EU Simulations Day 2014 explained in details the decision-making procedure, of drafting and adopting the legal acts and introduced the correlation between the EU institutions, introducing their competences, the possible scenarios and the tasks and powers of each actor involved.
The training session was concluded by Mr. Donald Tafilaj, also a winner as one of Best Performances at the EU simulation Day 2014, who described in details the regulations and procedures to be followed and respected rigorously from the students as EU representatives. He underlined the get into their respective role and to play accordingly to the rules by respecting all the motions and procedures to make possible a soot advancement of the entire session and the role game.
Students had four days to prepare their assignments and roles. At the end of both training sessions, the students have been assigned their role randomly by picking up a letter with the name of one of EU’s institutions.
On 19 May 2016, EMA in collaboration with University of Tirana, Faculty of Law organized the EU Simulation Game, which lasted from 10.00 am- 2.p.m. The aim of the Simulation game was to upgrade students’ knowledge on European Union, focusing more on its functions and organization from the legal perspective and to give them an insight of the Co-Decision procedure, its reading stages, role of different actors, the way interests are put on the table and other related rules of procedures. For a better management of the discussions, not all the EU Member States were represented but only those that have crucial interest on the case “GMO production”. The best students of each Institution (Parliament, Commission and Council) were awarded with a price, and all the students received a Certificate of Participation.
The simulation started by a draft- proposal from the Commission. Five students drafted the proposal and delivered it to the Parliament and the Council.
These students presented before the audience the need for this legal act, the interests of different parties that are represented in the draft and what the legal act aims at. The students having the role of the EU Parliamentarians were divided into seven groups, representing the seven groups of the EU Parliament, with 3-4 students each. They have researched on the position of their political group and discussed on their political position and technical issues related to the draft proposal and vote.
During the Council discussion 20 students represented the EU countries, but for a better management of the discussions, not all the EU Member States were represented but only those that had crucial interest on the case of GMO Products. Each Member state researched on the member country’s interest, defended their position, negotiated on its behalf and finally voted. An active role played especially Germany, Finland, France and Hungary.
The aim of the Simulation game was to upgrade students’ knowledge on European Union, focusing more on its functions and organization from the legal perspective and to give them an insight of the Co-Decision procedure, its reading stages, role of different actors, the way interests are put on the table and other related rules of procedures. The activity boosts the critical thinking, negotiation skills and public discussions of the students.