Antwerp, Belgium – site of EuroSim 2016

I cherish the bonds that I have formed with my fellow raiders and delegates from various schools. However, one of the most meaningful aspects of the conference to me is that our proposals will be presented to the European Union’s leaders. It is exciting and humbling to know that our work as students may have an impact in the refugee crisis. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in the solution to the crisis from a policy angle.

Here is a photo essay of my trip.

The conference commenced with a trip to the European Parliament in Brussels!

A staff member gave us a comprehensive overview of the Parliament.

This is the Plenary Chamber where member state representatives meet one week each month

I’m smiling because I’m excited to be inside of the European Parliament!

I participated in the Sub-Committee on Human Rights as a Swedish representative (Lars Adaktusson) in the European People’s Party (EPP). The EPP successfully collaborated and compromised with the other parties in the Committee to write and pass amendments to the Dublin IV Regulations and the DROI report on the Valletta Summit.

Delegates gathered for a lovely dinner banquet at the Antwerp City Hall

We enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Het Rekreatief, a local company that began as a social employment project for people who are disadvantaged or have endured long-term unemployment.

The Antwerp City Hall yielded a beautiful view of Antwerp’s 16th century Cathedral of our Lady!

The beautiful paintings, sculptures, and interior architecture make the Cathedral an even more captivating historical structure.

I encourage students to apply for the extended study programs that Colgate offers because of the educational and personal growth that these programs foster. I am returning to campus this semester well informed about the processes and procedures within the European Parliament and the myriad factors that influence the refugee crisis. I have stretched my perspective of the world and expanded my social network with new and strengthened friendships with peers from Colgate and many regions around the world.

Tot ziens! (Goodbye!)

Jazmyn.

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Colgate students in Antwerp, Belgium ran into John D. Occhipinti ’89 (pictured left) at EuroSim in Belgium. Occhipinti, a professor at Canisius College in Buffalo, is the faculty adviser for the Canisius delegation at EuroSim.

After Professor Occhipinto on the left, pictured left to right are Nick Yap ’16, Piper Marsh ’16, Sarah Chandler ’16, Jazmyn McKoy ’17, James Carino ’16, Madison Paulk ’16, Stacey Stein ’17, and Jack Conley ’16.

Related:
EuroSim delegation arrives in Belgium

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Colgate students visit Antwerp, Belgium for EuroSim

On Sunday, January 3, I arrived in Antwerp, Belgium with nine Colgate students for the 29th International EuroSim conference. The conference is a simulation of European Union decision-making, and is organized by the Trans-Atlantic Consortium for European Union Studies and Simulations (TACEUSS). This year the University of Antwerp is hosting EuroSim.

Approximately 200 students from 18 U.S. and European universities will simulate the decision-making of all European Union governing bodies. The topic this year cannot be timelier – EU asylum and refugee policy. EU member states struggle to find a solution as hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Middle East and North Africa seek protection in Europe. While at EuroSim, students will work on revising the Dublin regulation, the EU law that determines what member state is responsible for evaluating asylum applications under the Geneva Convention. The Colgate delegation will represent the governments of Poland and Estonia, two European Parliament members from Germany and Sweden, and a German journalist.

The conference kicked off on Monday with a visit to the European Union Parliament in Brussels, and opening remarks by Mrs. Patricia Van de Peer, Senior Official at the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. Look for more photos and updates from us in the next few days.

The off-campus trip is generously supported by the Department of Political Science, the Center for Freedom and Western Civilizations, the Dean of Faculty and Provost, the Dean of the College, the Lampert Institute for Civic and Global Engagement, the Division of Social Sciences, the Center for Learning, Teaching and Research, and the Office of Equity and Diversity.

Ralitsa Donkova is a visiting professor of Political Science.

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