Parliament Buildings, Stormont was the home of the EU on Wednesday 17 October 2007 when students from across Northern Ireland gathered to take part in a mock meeting of the Council of the European Union. The event was organised by the British Council in partnership with the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland.

During the day students from 28 schools and colleges had an opportunity to take part in debates and vote on topical issues affecting the EU such as the future enlargement of the EU.

Students also heard firsthand from Reijo Kemppinen, Head of the European Commission Representation in the UK, who gave the students an overview of current issues within the EU. Evelyn Cummins, the Director of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels, was chair of the event ensuring all students had an opportunity to participate.

Colm McGivern, Director of the British Council in Northern Ireland said: "The mock council debate, now in its third year, provided an excellent opportunity for young people to exercise and develop their debating skills on important European topics. The event encouraged students to think from the perspective of other member states, encouraging greater mutual understanding between the UK and other EU countries, which is at the core of the British Council's work."

Head of the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland, Eddie McVeigh, said: "Europe has had a big impact on Northern Ireland so it is important that young people get to debate European issues and find out about the workings of the EU. Today they had a taste of what it would be like to be a government minister."

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