12 ESU Students will Travel to Enschede, the Netherlands, for the International European Union Simulation

Posted by: admin on December 2, 2013, 2 Comments

Twelve students from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania will travel to Enschede, the Netherlands, for the International European Union Simulation in January. The women from left to right are: Katherine Heath, a junior majoring in business management from Stroudsburg, Pa.; Althea Ross, a junior majoring in biochemistry from Effort, Pa.; Kacie Chern, a junior majoring in biology from Greentown, Pa.; Katherine Thomas, a senior majoring in physical education from Oley, Pa.; and Amy Majani, a senior majoring in political science from Kenya. The men from left to right are: Frederick Ackerman, a junior majoring in political science from Nazareth, Pa.; Leif Johan Eliasson, Ph.D., ESU associate professor of political science and the American co-director of the Transatlantic Consortium for European Union Studies and Simulations; Ryan Stevens, a senior majoring in political science from Stroudsburg, Pa.; Ryan O’Leary, a sophomore majoring in business management from Stroudsburg, Pa.; Jonathan Gavilanes, a senior majoring in political science and economics from Effort, Pa.; and Brian Polito, a senior majoring in political science from Doylestown, Pa. Missing from the photo but part of the group traveling to the Netherlands are: Leah Majdic, a sophomore majoring in political science from Mountaintop, Pa.; and Zachary Niles, a senior majoring in political science from Sellersville, Pa.

Twelve students from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania will travel to Enschede, the Netherlands, from January 3-7 and will join 155 other students from 20 universities in Europe and the United States for political role-playing at its highest level. The International European Union Simulation (Eurosim), is a rigorous, four-day exercise that strives to enhance knowledge of the European Union (EU), international law, diplomatic protocol and diplomatic procedures by negotiating real problems and issues presented to the delegates. The 2014 simulation is at University of Twente.

The annual Eurosim program includes 25 hours of meetings that run from early morning to late evening. Students assume the role of a real policy maker, such as the head of government or a minister, and extensively research policy issues and negotiation strategies before the simulation. They write position papers and strategy papers, and then apply their knowledge and negotiating skills in negotiations with other “countries,” which are represented by other schools. Participants attend committees that mirror their real EU counterparts and feature intense discussions, debates and negotiations.

“The simulation is designed to enhance the students’ understanding of Europe and international politics, legal challenges and the art of negotiations, while sowing seeds of transatlantic understanding and friendship among participants,” said Leif Johan Eliasson, Ph.D., associate professor of political science and the American co-director of the Transatlantic Consortium for European Union Studies and Simulations. “Learning about the world’s largest economic and political union of states is crucial to the exercise. Advanced degree programs and professional settings, from the military, government and multinational corporations recognize the utility of simulations to enhance students’, practitioners’ or employees’ understanding of particular issues and crises. They work to build a sense of preparedness and capability.”

Eurosim has been held for 26 consecutive years and has alternated between American and European venues. In April, ESU hosted the event, and with 190 students and faculty members from 18 universities on campus, it was the largest and most diverse gathering of students and faculty in the history of the university.

It is organized by the Transatlantic Consortium of European Union Studies and Simulations (TACEUSS), a non-profit corporation comprised of colleges and universities both in Europe and North America. Its mission is to conduct annual simulations of the European Union and provide study and research opportunities for students enrolled at schools within its consortium.

Eliasson, who will accompany the students on the trip, has been a member of the organization for 13 years and has been responsible for taking ESU students to the last six Eurosims, including the 2012 event in Wroclaw, Poland. A critical factor in Eliasson’s decision to accept a position at ESU in 2005 was a guarantee to set up a European Studies program, and ESU joining TACUESS. He has since led 72 students to six TACEUSS European Union simulations, in addition to taking 25 students to four regional and national Model EU simulations. Eurosim participation is open to all majors.

TACEUSS, after 26 years of organizing this simulation, has developed a model which offers a very high quality educational experience at a comparatively low cost for all participants. However, ESU students bear 75 percent of the cost of participation, with the remaining part covered by contributions from the office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences at ESU and the ESU Student Activity Association.

“The knowledge of law, policies, politics, negotiating strategies and bargaining tactics students attain from months of preparations followed by 25 hours of formal, and many hours of informal negotiations, all while adhering to diplomatic protocol, is amazing,” said Eliasson. “The educational results from combining the theoretical and practical experiences have been very effective. All faculty in TACEUSS volunteer on a self-select basis to assign roles, write the very extensive program, prepare the topic and host the simulation. This requires a lot of time and effort, but we do this because we are passionate about student learning, and we know how much the students learn. The range of expertise amongst the TACEUSS faculty is impressive, with experts of various areas of law, social policy, economics, defense, welfare and education.”