An MEP for a day

Young people should get in touch with MEPs and voice any concerns or give feedback, a European Parliament representative told students earlier this month.

More than 400 students from 13 European countries packed the European Parliament's Assembly Hall in Strasbourg for Euroscola Day. Almost 30 Maltese students from 12 local secondary schools, accompanied by four teachers and myself, represented Malta at the Parliament.

The students were briefed about the MEP's important job as a bridge that links the citizen with the EU. A total of 785 MEPs, one third of whom are women, represent almost half a billion EU citizens. It is everyone's responsibility to speak to MEPs because, ultimately, their vote plays a crucial part in determining the outcome of an issue, the students were told.

These students were selected after participating in a competition, which was part of the Europe Day celebrations. The competition was organised by the International Relations Section in the Education Division.

Louise Cutajar Davis, education officer for International Relations, who organised the Euroscola trip, considers these competitions and celebrations as opportunities for schools to focus on areas that the students need to learn more about.

"Our students need to be aware of all the opportunities and challenges that they are growing up with as European citizens. They need to be given the same opportunities as their European counterparts and to be empowered with skills, which enable them to become not only good citizens, but also active citizens.

Euroscola is one of the many opportunities which the International Relations Section provides schools to dialogue with other cultures as well as to take an active role in challenging and questioning the decisions taken by today's leaders.

These occasions are also learning experiences for teachers who, besides enhancing their knowledge of European Institutions, also get the opportunity to interact with other cultures and acquire intercultural competences, which are vital for real social cohesion and which they need to impart to their students. As educators, we see very far beyond the objective of being an MEP for a day and our investment in these projects are more far reaching.

"Nothing gives me more satisfaction than seeing the excitement of the students," Ms Cutajar Davis said. "When you can provide students with new and exciting ways of learning, it certainly makes what they learn more memorable. And when the parents are as excited about it as the children, then all the hard work involved is certainly worth it. I also have to mention the enthusiasm of Philip and Daniel, whose clerical assistance and attention to detail were vital to the project."

On the way to Strasbourg, the students were excited at the prospect of visiting the EP. Some of them were continuously asking the teachers and myself questions about the institutions and who they were to meet.

Amid debates on the topics they prepared beforehand for discussion, the students immediately got to know each other within hours of meeting at the airport. Had I not known most of them had just met, I would have thought they were lifetime friends!

The group got on very well throughout the stay in Strasbourg. Most of the students were not at all affected by a day's travelling and, at the end of the day, they quickly checked in and gathered back in the lobby to go out for a walk in the beautiful city of Strasbourg. High spirits prevailed even the day after, despite a hectic day at the EP, and the students quickly opted to stay outdoors - the boys to go for a walk and the girls to hit the shops.

Throughout the day at the EP, the students were often reminded that no one except students attending Euroscola Day - and the MEPs - are allowed to sit in the main hall.

Looking up towards the visitors' balcony and seeing how visitors had only a limited time in the Parliament, I could see that the students were visibly impressed and appreciated the opportunity they were given.

The students learnt that the elimination of passport checks when travelling among EU states, and the adoption of the euro - two instances which the students had just experienced first hand on their way to Strasbourg - were just some of the important decisions MEPs had to take.

Although these presentations served as a good rundown, many of the students were already conversant with the functions of the institutions and the problematic issues of the moment, evidenced by the concerns and questions some of the students posed.

Clearly acquainted with current issues, Jean Claude Attard, from the Guzé Despott Boys' Junior Lyceum, who was chosen to introduce the Maltese group to the whole audience prior to the presentations, asked the panel about the status of illegal immigrants and the rights of EU citizens.

Jean-Claude explained that whereas European citizens can freely move and establish themselves in any EU country, immigrants have to abide by the rules of the individual states. The EU's authority is triggered only where a state is in breach of a fundamental human right, and therefore to protect human dignity.

The students' knowledge was tested during an afternoon-long deliberation on various topics. Students formed groups to discuss European democracy, the environment, peace, security, justice and human rights, youth, and the future of Europe, an exercise that taught students how to communicate with their European peers. They learnt about the different education systems, and the levels of knowledge the education processes lead to.

After group deliberations, the group leader presented a summary of the salient points that were discussed, followed by a second round of questions asked by students.

The students then experienced first hand how MEPs vote for a resolution. Questions were asked, to which the students voted to pass or reject it.

One of the questions posed was whether students were in favour of enlargement, clearly a question aimed at Turkey's possible accession, to which the majority disagreed. In another call for votes, most students did not agree that the EU should adopt only one working language.

Stephen Grima, a subject co-ordinator of Physical Education at Dun Guzepp Brighella Junior Lyceum of Hamrun, who accompanied the students, said: "Getting the chance to speak in one of the world's most important representative arenas teaches students how to respect authority," he said, which is crucial at a time when some students seem to be having problems fitting in the educational institution and learning how to respect their peers, teachers and heads of schools.

"Euroscola Day also gave students a unique opportunity to mingle with so many European counterparts, and to witness democracy in practice and the way decisions are taken in Parliament. Sitting on those very seats which MEPs occupy was a thrill in itself," Mr Grima said.

It also helped foster a greater disposition for politics, which was proudly declared by some of the Maltese students.

Paul Mizzi, a teacher at St Patrick's Craft Centre, said the visit was a unique opportunity, which most of the students appreciated.

Although he said some of our students were withdrawn, they are nonetheless well prepared and have a sound knowledge of the EU institutions and current affairs.

Most of the students were conversant with how the EU works and were aware of the main problems the EP is facing. The Maltese students were particularly up to date; one of the reasons could be the introduction of European Studies as a Mastec O-Level a few years ago.

Another teacher accompanying the group, Doreen Trapani, who teaches primary schoolchildren, said such opportunities should be made available from an early age.

Referring to the fact that some secondary students may not be education-oriented and would probably drop out of school after Form 5, she said it was difficult to put such students back on track, even when they are given the opportunity to visit important European institutions.

"Primary schoolchildren are easier to motivate and garner their interest, so it is a pity that these opportunities are less available for primary schools," Ms Trapani said.

The group also included two hearing-impaired students. Georgina Portelli, the teacher accompanying them, said the students were appreciative of the fact that they could join the group to the European Parliament and that they could vote in the hemicycle.

The only significant barrier which limited the students' participation in the forum was language. Although they interacted well with their Maltese peers, following all the discussions during the day proved difficult and exhausting, which showed that this structure does not cater adequately for different needs.

The two students, one of whom was the first hearing-impaired student having Lingwa tas-sinjali Maltija as a first language to have obtained the ECDL certificate, said they were pleased to have participated in a discussion about work and jobs, which they said was their main concern.

Ms Portelli said that when such students reach working age and shift their priorities, the education system should likewise shift onto providing a structure that allows them to obtain qualifications according to their abilities.

Euroscola Day ended with a competition. Orlando Ellul and three other students netted a trophy when their group placed first.

The trophy signified a boost not only for Orlando, who attends Dun Guzepp Zammit Brighella Junior Lyceum, but for the whole group of Maltese students, who were full of praise as Orlando joined the group carrying the trophy.

However, it was apparent that students from other EU countries did not know much about Malta. From among the four groups in the finals, only Orlando's three teammates knew that Malta was the smallest EU country, as the other students thought Liechtenstein was the smallest, Orlando commented.

"Maltese students know much more about European countries than they know about us. Interacting with other foreign students also showed that some of them look down on us because we come from a small country," he said. Nonetheless, Euroscola Day was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Orlando, who fully appreciated the opportunity of sitting in an auditorium reserved solely for MEPs, a sentiment shared by all the students.

"The experience of being in a place you normally see on television is overwhelming," Jean-Claude exclaimed. "We have been given the chance to express ourselves, and were treated on the same level as politicians and MEPs."