By Teresa Gomez, Communications and Marketing

29 January 2020 - 10:54

Leadership ability is a skill which is increasingly appreciated and sought after by Universities from around the world. This is why the School offers our BiBac® students the opportunity to take part in the United Nations Model, a global programme, in which students simulate a diplomatic meeting and practice international relations through debate and negotiation. Last weekend, 6 students chosen from this programme, represented the School at the European Youth Parliament (EYP), defending their positions passionately and brilliantly.

The regional session of the European Youth Parliament (EYP) took part on the 24th, 25th and 26th of January at the headquarters of ICADE in Madrid. Some 70 youngsters, between the ages of 15 and 16, divided into 6 different delegations, and including 6 of the best students from 10 Madrid schools showed off their extremely high level, both in their debating skills, and in their English language skills. Our students got to the event very well prepared, thanks to a lot of hard work and commitment. They were accompanied by their teachers, Ross Francis and Sean O’Donnell.

The speeches were developed in different sessions. On Friday, there were “team building” activities; on Saturday, they worked in their different committees; and on Sunday, they presented their resolutions for debate and a vote at the General Assembly. The different committees focussed on eight key areas: Culture and Education, Financial and Economic Affairs, Environment, Gender Equality and Women´s Rights; Constitutional Issues; Agriculture and Rural Development, Fishing; and Transport and Tourism.

This was our first time at the European Youth Parliament since Spain started competing in 2006. We are keeping all our options open since, from this event there will be 3 schools chosen to take part in the National Conference which will take place in Barcelona and from there, to be able to go on to represent Spain.

“ We are so proud to be able to acknowledge the tremendous success of our Year 12 students at these sessions of the European Youth Parliament. Their performances were brilliant, confident and eloquent, prepared to listen to others, but also very capable at defending their own ideas skillfully and passionately”. These were the very proud words used by teachers about our students.

Congratulations to Luis, Marta, Victoria, Raquel, Patricia and Marta! And congratulations also to all their teachers for all their great work as educators, right through their School years.