The Simulation Model of EU institutions- May 31, 2022

The European Movement in Albania (EMA), with the support of European Movement International, within the ‘Europe for Citizens’ Program funded by the European Commission, developed a simulation model of EU institutions. The activity took place over two days, the training on May 26 and the simulation on May 31, 2022 in Europe House, within the month of Europe 2022.

The Project Coordinator of EU Day 2022, in her opening remarks underlined the role of this activity to bring together students of different fields of study and increase their knowledge about European Union and the decision-making process in its institutions. The selected topic for this year’s simulation was Directive 2000/78/ EU of 27 November 2000 – “On the establishment of a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation” which was presented by Embro Ahmetaj, Lecturer of the Faculty of Law at the University of Tirana. On May 26, the selected students led by Ahmetaj, were acquainted with the procedure, decision-making regulation of the EU Council of Ministers, the Commission and the European Parliament, and also with the content and purpose of the Directive 2000/78. The directive aims to prohibit discrimination at work, both in the public and private sectors, and seeks protection for: Prohibition of discrimination in employment, recruitment, promotion, access to vocational training, internships, working conditions and recruitment in professional organizations. At the end of the training day, the students each expressed the desire for the role they would like to have during the simulation and this was taken into account by the organizers.

The Simulation activity was finalized on May 31, under the supervision of  Embro Ahmetaj. The process started with the proposal by the Commission of Directive 2000/78/EU. Subsequently, as the procedure stipulates, decision-making passed to the Parliament where all students in the role of MEPs argued in accordance with the political interests of the groups that they represented and proposed amendments. The procedure continued with a motion for informal debate and continued with the reading and voting of the amendments individually and then with the voting of the Directive as a whole. The procedure continued with a formal debate in the Council of Ministers where participants discussed key aspects of the Directive before the final vote. Another rule of procedure used was the Motion of Calling the Commissioner for specific clarifications concerning two articles of the Directive.

In conclusion, the Directive was voted on by a majority of the ministers of the member states. The event concluded with the distribution of certificates for participation and special certificates for the distinguished students.