Day 1:

The first day starts with a welcome address and introduction to the week’s activities. The students work on current issues and trends concerning energy, climate change and the political aspects of both, in Europe. They will have the opportunity to criticize the current energy situation, before moving to more proactive thinking. Students will be challenged to formulate their own priorities and goals, and eventually to develop their first concepts of how a Europe of tomorrow should look. Students will be confronted by two key questions to help them gain perspective in the policy debate:

• What kind of climate friendly energy do we want for Europe by 2020?
• What kind of innovations and policy mechanisms are necessary in order to achieve this?

Day 2:

This is day known as “practical day”, in which the students and EU/energy experts work together. The aim is to start a dialogue on practical insights, as well as discuss the students’ ideas and concepts in terms of practicability. In that sense, this day also provides a “reality check”. 

Day 3:

The third day is dedicated to a real-life simulation. Three groups found competing political parties, all of which want to win election to the European Parliament so they may implement their respective energy policy programmes.  Throughout the day, the three parties must deal with other supporting or opposing groups – the “press”, campaign consultants and an environmental NGO. At the end of the day, the participants have a rehearsal before their final presentation on day 4.

Day 4:

The final event on the last day is the culmination of the workshop. In front of media representatives and guests, the participants discuss and debate their concepts in the framework of a parliamentary debate, and consider the results with project sponsors, members of the European Parliament and national Parliaments, or politicians from their region. There will also be a live video feed from a partner school in another European country, where a workshop is taking place simultaneously.