This week schools representing the members of the European Union came together for a mock EU council meeting in the Locarno Rooms in Whitehall.  All the schools involved have international partners. The event was organised by the British Council, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the European Commission.

The day was dominated by the issue of the EU climate change fund which will provide support to countries outside the EU in the developing world.  

Schools argued over contributions from poorer countries within the EU to the 22.5 billion euro pot with powerful arguments from Finchley Catholic High School, representing Latvia.   

The mock Council was unable to reach a unanimous decision.

Young people representing France, the European Commission, and Poland tell us about their day:

Edmonton County School represented France

"I thought that France was probably quite a wasteful country before I started researching, and not good on climate change.

I didn't know they were building wind farms and use a lot of nuclear power - they are involved and taking action.

Before, I thought that everything in politics was done very by the book. Today made me realise that people really want what's best and they can get very emotional and defensive about it - even today when we weren't even representing our own countries.

I definitely want to follow what’s happening now with Copenhagen and find out what France actually says and see how similar it is."

Chestnut Grove School represented the European Commission

"It was really tough representing the Commission, and frustrating.

You have to take into account what everyone wants and consolidate all those views into one proposal.

It's hard to convince people to change their views, but you do have good interaction with the different countries. "

Highgate Wood School represented Poland

"It was interesting representing Poland.  They have difficult problems to face.

I learnt a lot about their position from visiting the Polish Embassy before the event. They don't have enough money to stop using coal and invest in infrastructure for green energy. 

On climate change, Germany will work with us as they need the coal we have.  And we are working with Denmark to propose to the Commission a clause that Poland and other developing countries get funds to put in place alternative sources of energy.

Europe is really important especially on climate change. Today has made me realise just how influential Europe will be."

How did they do this?

Schools taking part are all involved in British Council school-linking programmes.  This event is part of the organisation's 75th anniversary activities and was organised with the FCO and the European Commission. 

The EU member states were represented as follows: 

Belgium Alperton Community School, Wembley
Denmark Beths Grammar School, Bexley
European Commission Chestnut Grove School, Balham
Slovenia Christ the King, St Mary's, Sidcup
Romania The Crest Girls Academy, Neasden
Ireland Darrick Wood School, Orpington
France Edmonton County School, Enfield
Latvia Finchley Catholic High School, Finchley
Cyprus Forest School, Snaresbrook
Finland The Frances Bardsley School for Girls, Romford
Greece Graveney School, Wandsworth
Germany Herschel Grammar School, Slough
Poland Highgate Wood School, Haringey
Czech Republic Islington Arts and Media School, Islington
Lithuania Kelsey Park Sports' College, Bromley
Council Secretariat King's College School, Wimbledon
Hungary Lambeth Academy, Clapham
Sweden La Retraite School, Clapham Park
Italy Newstead Wood School, Orpington
Spain North London Collegiate School, Edgware
UK Notting Hill and Ealing High School, Ealing 
Malta St Angela's School, Forest Gate
Slovakia St Philomena's School, Carshalton
Estonia St Saviour's & St Olave's Cof E School, Southwark
Austria The Sixth Form College, Colchester
Bulgaria Southfields Community College, Wandsworth
Portugal The Sydney Russell School, Barking & Dagenham
Luxembourg Trinity School, Bexley
Netherlands Wembley High Technology College, North Wembley

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