2025 Model Council of the EU Debate launched by Minister Byrne

The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, launched the 2025 Model Council of the EU Debate for post primary schools in Dublin Castle today (28 March).

The topic of the 2025 debate is “EU Digital Policy and Young People”. The format is a simulation of a meeting of the Council of the European Union in Brussels. It encourages teenagers to learn about the EU’s decision-making progress. The goal is to build consensus through negotiation and compromise. A judging panel will select the winning team based on a number of set criteria.

Teams from 27 schools represent the 27 EU Member States and they will debate a mock EU proposal from the viewpoint of their assigned Member State. Prior to the debate, the participating schools are encouraged to reach out to relevant departments here as well as Missions from the other 26 EU Member States in Ireland, to research the various Member State positions on the topic.

The winning team will be awarded a class trip to represent Ireland at a ‘Euroscola’ session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on 17 October 2025, where the students will become ‘MEPs’ for a day. They will also each win an iPad.

Speaking at the event today, Minister Byrne said: “This year’s participating students have the chance to really impact future EU policy making. It is our young people who are most impacted by the digital environment, and we need to listen to their views when we are formulating policy governing this area. The Model Council of the EU debate is a brilliant way to communicate how the EU works in practice and how the EU works for its citizens. I commend everyone involved in this initiative.”

More information on the Model Council of the European Union Debate for Secondary Schools and topics from previous years are available on the website.