Two Skytte Students Participate in EU Council Simulation ConSIMIUM in Brussels

A delegation of six highly motivated and talented students from various Estonian universities, including two students from the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies – Guido Groenescheij and Katre Roomets – participated in ConSIMIUM, an EU-wide simulation of the decision-making process of the Council of the European Union, held on 5–6 February in Brussels.

During the two-day simulation, the students stepped into the roles of Prime Ministers, Ministers, Ambassadors, experts, and journalists, engaging in high-level discussions and negotiations that closely mirrored real-life EU decision-making. This year’s simulation focused on shielding European economies from external coercion and unfair competition by third countries, with particular attention to Anti-Coercion Instruments (ACI) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening. Notably, the exercise took place in Brussels, in the very buildings and venues where ministers and heads of state and government meet, offering an unparalleled level of realism and immersion. The experience provided participants with a deeper understanding of the complexities of European policymaking and the dynamics of intergovernmental cooperation.

To make the experience even more exceptional, the simulated European Council session was chaired by former European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, whose first-hand leadership experience added a remarkable level of realism to the proceedings. Reflecting on the experience, Katre Roomets (Master’s student in European Studies) noted:

“Seeing the discussions unfold firsthand deepened my appreciation for the dedication of experts and showed how a deliberate, and sometimes time-consuming process ultimately delivers harmonised outcomes, with informal discussions playing a key role in reaching a compromise.”

Guido Groenescheij (Master’s students in International Relations and Regional Studies) highlighted both the atmosphere and substance of the simulation:

“It was truly amazing to take part in this Council experience. Simply being in the buildings and rooms where ‘the real work happens’ was exciting to begin with. Being able to engage with highly topical and relevant material in a distillation of how it would work in the real world, with young people from around Europe, was extremely fun. I definitely recommendtaking part if you enjoy fierce debate, compromise, and hallway diplomacy.”

To prepare for the simulation, we also benefited from highly valuable insights thanks to the expertise shared by the Permanent Representation of Estonia to the European Union. The Representation organized an online preparatory workshop a few weeks before the simulation to help the students refine their negotiation strategies and policymaking skills.

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Dr. Stefano Braghiroli, Associate Professor of European Studies at the University of Tartu and the Estonian team’s academic coordinator, emphasized the value of experiential learning in EU studies:

“ConSIMIUM offers a unique opportunity for our students to bridge academic theory and real-world practice. This year’s topic of economic resilience against external pressures is central to the future of European integration, and our students demonstrated outstanding analytical mindset and diplomatic skill throughout the simulation.”