EU Parliament Holds Session in Lessing; Education for Life in Schools Discussed
The Lessing Gymnasium and Berufskolleg in Germany recently hosted a simulation week of the European Parliament, providing students with a unique opportunity to engage with European politics and democratic processes. Over 150 students in the upper school's introductory phase participated, assuming the roles of politicians and delving into topics not covered as deeply in regular classes, including aspects of the European Union Parliament.
The goal of the simulation week was to strengthen the European idea among students by experiencing democratic processes and critically judging current political issues. The program structure included simulation activities, workshops, discussions, and intercultural exchange, all designed to promote European integration, civic engagement, critical thinking, and collaboration.
During the simulation, students participated in simulated sessions where they acted as Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). This involved debating, negotiating, and voting on policy proposals, mirroring real parliamentary procedures. Students also worked on resolutions in various country delegations and committees, and debates on the resolutions took place in a plenary session, also known as the parliament.
One student, Shaynah Al-Ibrahim, served as chair of the committee on "Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Age." This role allowed her to gain a deeper understanding of this topic within the context of the European Union Parliament. Shaynah was impressed by the level of engagement shown by her peers during the simulation week, with students demonstrating a mature and professional demeanor by dressing in formal attire.
The Lessing Gymnasium's simulation week offered students an opportunity to learn about the workings of the European Union Parliament in a practical and immersive way. The students' participation in the simulation week reflected the old Latin saying "Non scholae sed vitae discimus" (We do not learn for school, but for life).
David Toledo, study advisor at the Lessing Gymnasium, initiated and designed the simulation week. The week suspended regular classes at the school, and participants showed a high level of engagement, as demonstrated by their formal attire and commitment to their roles as politicians.
Winston Churchill, a British statesman and Nobel laureate, once said that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried. The European Parliament simulation week at the Lessing Gymnasium provided students with a practical understanding of democratic processes and current political issues, fostering a sense of European citizenship and shared identity.
- The European Parliament simulation week at the Lessing Gymnasium not only offered education-and-self-development in the form of practical learning about democratic processes, but also encouraged critical thinking and collaboration, which are essential in general-news and politics.
- Students who participated in the European Parliament simulation week at the Lessing Gymnasium were not only exposed to aspects of the European Union Parliament that are not covered as deeply in regular classes, but also gained a broader understanding of its role in learning about current political issues and promoting European integration.
