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 BRUSSELS 2020 

I was invited on a trip to Brussels with the Alliance party along with 19 other 16-18 year olds. We were selected out of a group of applicants from all over Northern Ireland to learn more about the functionality of the European Union.

On Monday 20th of January 2020, I arrived at Brussels Airport. With no time to waste, the group got the train to the European Parliament were we had our lunch and got to know each other better and learn what drives each of us. We shortly afterwards met Naomi Long, our MEP and had the opportunity to ask her what she and her party was doing for us. Not only in the European Parliament, but the N.I. Assembly too. Finally, we visited the NI Executive Embassy to learn about the work they do in Brussels. We then went for our dinner in a traditional Congolese restaurant. We had an early night due to the very long day we had.

Naomi Talking.jpg

On Tuesday, we had an early start heading straight to the parliament were we spent time learning about the different branches of the EU government and Committees. We were also informed at this point that we would be role-playing a mock parliament to get ourselves into a legislative mind set over the next two days. After lunch we met with an NGO lobbyist lobbying for LGBT rights in Europe, then a Lobbyist for the alcohol industry. This had shown us that there are many kinds of lobbying (Corporate lobbying ect…) and that they can function very differently. That night, we went to the old city and enjoyed the sightseeing (and the Belgian waffles).

Night Photo, The Boys.jpg

Finally, on Wednesday we got to see Naomi Long again and ask more questions. We finally got to see the hemicycle (debating chamber) and learn exalt how bills are made, amended and passed in the European parliament. We finished the role play and made our way home after three long but fast paced days.

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