EUROSCOLA is one of the European Parliament's chief contributions to European education. It consists of a day spent in the Parliament in Strasbourg (when the MEPs are in Brussels). Groups of about 30, from schools or clubs all over the EU, gather to take part in a simulation of parliamentary work. They divide into committees and working groups, they produce draft resolutions, and they come together to debate and adopt a composite resolution.
A special event was held on May 9th this year to celebrate Europe Day. Ireland was represented by a group draw from five schools, Community College, Blessington, St Brigid's Vocational School, Loughrea, St Finian's Community College, Swords, and two Cork schools, McSwiney Community College Knocknaheeny and Douglas Community College. The latter school had won an inter-schools competition organised on March 25th by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Alderman James Corr, and the European Movement in honour of the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.
The group had the usual event in the Parliament, and in addition - as this is the year against racism - visited the Nazi concentration camp at Struthof in the Ardennes, a reminder of one of the underlying reasons for the establishment of the EU.
One of the Loughrea pupils, Geraldine Keane, put it like this: "This was an insightful event for all. The open discussion displayed the reality of the Union. Although grant aid and regional development are aspects of the Union, the essence is different. One must see the horrific photographs (of Struthof). One must see the now-rusted barbed wire and the low dark buildings. A deathly silence still lingers, 50 years on. It is indeed a grim but highly necessary reminder of what we destroy when we dine with racism and hatred. The EU is about peace, about unity, about a common thread amongst the people of Europe. It concerns me, it concerns you. For deep in the marrow of our bones, we know the destruction and grief of war, and thus, recognise the need for change."