The Model European Parliament is an international educational program that puts students in the roles of Members of the European Parliament. Working in national delegations and parliamentary committees, participants tackle a wide range of European issues, draft policy proposals, and debate them through parliamentary procedures, including discussion and voting. Through this process, students gain direct insight into how European decision-making works, while strengthening their debating and argumentation skills and becoming increasingly experienced in international cooperation.
Students from 25 countries are taking part in the Szeged session, with participants coming from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, and Norway. In total, the event has brought 139 students and 29 teachers to Szeged. International delegates are being hosted by 37 local families, while 40 volunteers from SZTE’s Báthory István High School and Primary School for Teaching Practice are helping ensure the program runs smoothly.
The opening ceremony was led by the session’s presiding board, composed of Viola Kalmár (SZTE Báthory István High School and Primary School for Teaching Practice), Zsombor Harai (Kazinczy Ferenc High School and Student Residence Hall, Győr), and Dániel Krámos (St. Emeric Cistercian High School, Buda). The vice-presidential team includes Helena Pinto and Leonor da Gama Pas Dias from Portugal, as well as Alice Kangro from Estonia.
The session’s presiding board. Photo: Karina Bartha
The event was opened by Viola Kalmár, who emphasized the vital role of dialogue and cooperation. She noted that the program not only familiarizes participants with the mechanisms of European decision-making but also “creates a forum for young people where students from different countries can engage with the pressing issues facing Europe, gain a deeper understanding of one another’s perspectives, and, through shared reflection, bring their viewpoints closer together.”
The opening ceremony also featured a series of musical performances. Ádám Szalma opened the program at the piano with Joe Hisaishi’s The Town with an Ocean View, followed by a performance by Hanna Zorka Tóth. Later in the ceremony, Panka Vigh performed Ballag a szél [The Wind is Passing By], a song by Hungarian songwriter Péter Geszti, while Chiara D’Souza, representing the Italian delegation, delivered a saxophone rendition of Bella Ciao.
Photo: Karina Bartha
Participants were also welcomed by Gottfried Oehl, President of the International Model European Parliament (iMEP). In his address, he pointed out that for decades the program has provided a unique platform where young Europeans can engage in political dialogue and exchange ideas.
“It is a great source of pride for us that, once again, we have been able to bring together young delegates from across Europe to reflect on the future of our continent,” Gottfried Oehl said. “When European nations work together and combine their strengths, they are capable of achieving extraordinary results.”
Gottfried Oehl, President of the iMEP. Photo: Karina Bartha
Prof. Dr. Tamás Antal, Vice-Dean for Academic and General Affairs at SZTE’s Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, highlighted the importance of a shared community of European values in his address:
“No matter how different our traditions and cultures may be, we are still able to speak the same language – the language of European values and human rights.”
Prof. Dr. Tamás Antal, Vice Dean for Academic and General Affairs at SZTE’s Faculty of Law and Political Sciences. Photo: Karina Bartha
Continuing the opening remarks, Dr. János Dobi, Principal of SZTE’s Báthory István High School and Primary School for Teaching Practice, recalled the institution’s long-standing engagement with the Model European Parliament program. He noted that the school has been taking part in the work of the Model European Parliament for more than two decades, and that it is a great honor for the institution to once again host an international session. He also emphasized that it is particularly gratifying that this year’s event is being held with the support of the University of Szeged.
Dr. János Dobi, Principal of SZTE’s Báthory István High School and Primary School for Teaching Practice. Photo: Karina Bartha
A key part of the ceremony featured presentations by the delegations of the participating countries. During this segment, delegation leaders delivered brief addresses outlining their national perspectives and underscoring the importance of European cooperation.
As part of the program, students also took part in a simulated press conference on the morning of March 9, stepping into the role of political leaders responding to journalists’ questions.
The international sessions of the Model European Parliament are held twice a year and rotate among major European cities. The previous session took place in The Hague, while the next will be hosted in Porto, Portugal. Until then, Szeged serves as the meeting point for young Europeans who, through debate, dialogue, and cooperation, are already shaping the conversations about Europe’s future, with the session running from March 6 to March 13.
Original Hungarian article by Fruzsina Nánai
Photos by Karina Bartha
