April 9, 2025
On April 10, 2025, the EU Decision Making Simulation School concluded with a full day of dynamic simulation activities held at EPOKA University, offering high school students from across Albania an immersive opportunity to experience the functioning of European Union institutions.
Participants, mentored by students from the Department of Political Science and International Relations, assumed roles within the European Commission, European Parliament, and European Council. Together, they debated, negotiated, and reached consensus on a fictional yet timely draft proposal: the “EU Common Defense Strategy for Global Stability.”
The simulation opened with institutional sessions, during which Ivana Gjeloshaj, student of Political Science and International Relations at EPOKA University and representative of the European Commission, presented the proposal’s objectives, background, and anticipated challenges. Meanwhile, the European Parliament initiated discussions and proposed amendments, while the European Council drafted national positions.
Following a short break, the institutions resumed their sessions. The European Council worked toward building intergovernmental consensus, the Parliament debated legislative changes, and the Commission addressed questions raised during the discussions.
In the afternoon, all institutions gathered for a final voting session, simulating the culmination of an actual EU decision-making process. The activity reflected the complexity and importance of cooperation, policy negotiation, and institutional balance within the European Union.
As part of the Closing Ceremony of the two-day simulation event “Step Into the Shoes of EU Decision Makers”, held on April 9–10, 2025, at Europe House and EPOKA University, three exceptional high school students were awarded scholarships in recognition of their outstanding performance and leadership throughout the program:
These scholarships underscore EPOKA University’s strong commitment to promoting academic potential and civic engagement among Albania’s youth. All participants received certificates of participation, marking the successful completion of an enriching two-day program.
The simulation school was chaired by Dr. Dea Bashkurti, whose leadership and expertise in EU affairs guided the program’s academic content, and co-chaired by Ms. Morena Mulhaxhia, who played an essential role in coordinating the event and mentoring participants.
EPOKA University expresses its sincere appreciation to all guest speakers, trainers, student mentors, and collaborators, with special thanks to the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) Tirana for their continued partnership. The university warmly congratulates the scholarship recipients and looks forward to welcoming them into its academic community in the near future.
