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Description
We want to implement the European Parliament Simulation project due to the need to introduce young people in the Czech Republic to the European Union and its institutional structure. Knowledge and awareness of the EU and its institutions play an important role in young people''s perception of the integration process. From personal experience in working with students, we know of a small space in the education of students about the EU, especially in secondary schools, so we would like to fill it in civic education, with the participation of Czech MEPs in the role of decision-makers. During the two-day program, we will inform young people about the functioning of the European Union and its long-term meaning in the form of a lecture. We will refute the often mentioned hoaxes about the European Union, list serious sources of information and explain to students the importance of critical thinking and verification of sources. At a simulated plenary session of the European Parliament, students will be given space in front of other participants to present their views in short and concise speeches, giving many young people to test their presentation and argumentation skills and lose their shyness in public speaking. The event will benefit the community in a more informed citizen who understands the role and functioning of the EU, the historical context and, above all, the future challenges of European policy. The participant will gain more interest in public affairs and will begin to influence his immediate surroundings in this spirit, for example by organizing lectures and debates for classmates at his school, joining an association and subsequently engaging in it.
Summary of project results
The project has a long-term impact in more informed and educated youth, who better understand the role and functioning of the European Union. We infer the fulfillment of this impact from evaluationsof the forms filled in by the participants at the end of the event, where the vast majority of students said that thanks to the event they gained new knowledge and better understood the role of the European Union.It was also possible to awaken a greater interest in civil society and public affairs among a number of young people, which was reflected in the sending of more than 20 applications from participants from both activitiesto our association and their initial involvement, which will lead to multiplication, when they reach out to their classmates and surroundings with their activities.