Every year a series of workshops are held the day before the conference in order for invited speakers (ranging from MEPs, Commissioners, Ministers, professors, professionals, interpreters, journalists and lobbyists) to share their expertise with the participants and give them tips and guidance on how to play their roles in the most realistic and professional manner possible.
The Workshops For Each Of The Two Proposals
All participants attend a workshop on each of the two proposals that will be debated at the conference. The primary purpose of the workshops is to give them an insight into how negotiations unfolded in reality.
In order for the participants to learn about a range of viewpoints and gain an understanding of the inner workings of the EU policy-making process, the guest speakers come from different EU institutions and interest groups. Even though the participants will already have been prepared by the Content Team (over the few months prior to the conference) these workshops will give them the chance to questions the real policy makers who were present during the negotiations.
Journalism Workshop
The participants who are assigned roles as journalists are given a speech by someone in the field of political journalism who will give the team an insight into the importance of the field. Topics such as how political journalism is advancing on the European stage and shaping the views of European citizens will be discussed as well as how to write an effective article. Other aspects of the workshop will focus on the role of the team during the week, as well as the proposals that will be debated in the simulation.
Interpreting Workshop
The participants who are assigned roles as interpreters are given a first-hand insight into the profession in question. Experienced interpreters and/or academics will give them a brief overview of - among others- modes of interpreting, public speaking, comprehensive preparation for a conference, stamina in simultaneous interpreting, strategies to deliver a successful performance and first steps in pursuing a career in interpreting. Moreover, during the Q and A session, participants are given the chance to further explore tricks of the trade by asking the guest speakers questions.
Lobbying Workshop
The participants who are assigned roles as lobbyists are given a speech by a practitioner of lobbying in the European Union. In addition to giving an insight into the work of lobbyists, the presentation will address questions such as 'how to become a lobbyist?' and 'why lobbying is a crucial part of European legislation?'. The presentation should also deal with the issue of the public perception of lobbying and ways to improve it.