Valleys student switches track to head for Oxford

Two A Level students from Coleg y Cymoedd have been congratulated on their participation in a Mock Council of the European Union, held by the Welsh Government in Cardiff Bay.

A Level Students Chloe Ratcliffe and Matthew Cullen represented the college during the Mock Council of the European Union, where together with other young people from across Wales, they got a taste of the big issues affecting the EU and the way it makes decisions.

The annual event, which First Minister Carwyn Jones attended, is part of a wider programme involving students from colleges across Wales aimed at raising awareness of EU issues and the benefits of EU membership. This year’s motions to debate were the EU becoming a federation of nation states in response to the financial crisis, and the accession of new members to the EU following Croatia joining the EU.

Coleg y Cymoedd representatives Matthew and Chloe were assigned the Member State of Denmark for the Mock Council event. They had to debate the two motions, stating their counties views based on their investigations. They later fuelled the discussion and debated on these motions.

Matthew and Chloe were congratulated by the college for developing and demonstrating outstanding skills in communication, analytical thinking and leadership during the research and debates, as well as interpersonal and organisational skills and excelling in a professional environment.

The students were joined by young people from Jaunpiebalga Secondary School in Latvia. The Latvian Ambassador, His Excellency Mr. Andris Teikmanis, and Mr. Andy Taurins, Honorary Consul for Latvia, also attended the event.

Elaine Griffiths who supported the students at the event stated taking “part in the EU Mock Council was an invaluable opportunity for Matthew and Chloe to test their debating and negotiation skills. The event provided an excellent platform for them to understand how the decision making process of the EU really works and the way EU makes decisions. It not only gave them an insight into the constitutional process but encouraged them to consider the wide range of opportunities open to them within the EU.”

Student Matthew Cullen said “Taking part raised awareness of the debates on European Union expansion and a European Federation. The benefits and detriments of EU membership, not just for Wales, but for the United Kingdom and other EU countries were highlighted with debaters contributing well-researched points; many of which caused us to stop and re-evaluate our own opinions. Taking part was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”

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