On March 8-9, 2019, six University of Utah undergraduates competed in the 15th Annual West Coast Model European Union at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Hosted by UW’s Center for West European Studies and Foster School of Business, this competition brings together teams from the Pac-12 as well as other universities from across the U.S. and Canada, including Brigham Young University, Claremont Colleges, University of British Columbia, and University of Victoria.
The U’s team represented the Heads of Government and Energy Ministers of France, Ireland, and Luxembourg. Annie Kaufman (Philosophy), Anna Paseman (International Studies), and Minta Siripong (Biology) negotiated immigration policy reforms, successfully passing an Irish proposal for a new European visa program, and Jack Brown (Economics), Bella Fregoso (Political Science), and Peyton Williams (Quantitative Analysis of Markets & Organizations) debated the European Union’s energy policy, with Bella Fregoso receiving the prestigious Outstanding Energy Minister award.
In addition to negotiations and debates, the West Coast Model EU also offered the participating students opportunities to interact with the keynote speakers, João Rodrigues, Senior Legal Advisor in the European Parliament’s U.S. Office, and Mark Gitenstein, U.S. Ambassador to Romania, learn about internship opportunities with the EU, and network with fellow delegates and faculty advisors from the attending universities.
The University of Utah Model European Union Club meets regularly to practice negotiation skills, work on draft position papers and resolutions, and debate current EU-related issues. The team is coached by faculty from the Department of Political Science and LEAP and grateful for the support it has received from the Associated Students of the University of Utah, College of Social and Behavioral Science, Department of Political Science, Office of Global Engagement, Office of Undergraduate Studies, and Student Affairs.
Students interested in joining the club and competing in Model EU simulations should contact Tobias Hofmann (tobias.hofmann@utah.edu).