Introduction to the MEU world

On the 10th of December in 2014 the Opening Ceremony of the 4th MEU conference was held in the Diputación de Granada. All of the participants were together during the introduction speeches and had the opportunity to try the simulation with an interesting popular topic.

First of all Leticia Moreno Lopez, Joint Deputy of Equality, Opportunity and Youth told that “it is a great experience for all of the youth people who are able to participate the conference from all over the European Union because they can see the beautiful city of Granada and the University “ and she hopes that this occasion improve everyone to go back to this wonderful arabic city.

Secondly George Julian Bourne, the Vice-Dean of the University of Granada of the International Relations and the Faculty of Translation and Interpretation spoke to the MEU members about the importance of the work on the fragmentation and it is also important to resolve the problem of the differences between the poor and the rich people in the European Union. And in his point of view our job is to try to get closer the different kind of nations. He said unfortunately the weather was cold but hoped that we seriously would think about this topics.

After the Vice-Dean speech Silvia de Benito the President of the MEU Conference mentioned that MEU Granada 2014 was supported by the Center of Strasbourg. She also informed us that when she was speaking English for the first time in front of the MEU members was really complicated but she said to the current members it worth it to try.

Jose Antonio Robles, the Vice-President of the Local Council said that the decisions of the European Union were so emblematic for every state members’ life. As he also informed us that this job was so hard as well as understand each perspective of other countries but he hopes that we will be able to feel the wonder of the city.

After that the chairs of the simulation told us the general rules of the conference (motions, voting, procedural points, etc.)

After these important informations we had the opportunity to try the simulation with a really exciting topic:

“Should werewolves be included as characters of new Twilight films?”

There were several good Amendments to resolve the problem. The first one was passed. It was a clear discussion about the equality of these creations. Most of the speakers said it was necessary to represent and have equal screen time for both of the vampires and even the werewolves.

Also the third point was passed because in the views of most participants it was really important to follow the original story. An interesting amendment was when the Minister of France (Nicolas Hegel) said that it could be useful to name the characters after the French version of their name (for e.g. from Edward to Eduard, from Bella to Isabel and from Jacob to François). And some other ministers were against the idea and the discussion ended with a compromising decision. The original version will be not changed but it would be necessary to have French subtitles during the presentation of the film.

That was the end of the preparation and we have already felt the beginning of the atmosphere of the conference.

By Boglarka Olimpia Burkus