UfM Secretariat and Lycée Français Barcelona partner to develop a UfM Model simulation programme

The UfM Secretariat and the Lycée Français Barcelona have developed a UfM Model simulation programme called “DIA/Med – Les Dialogues pour la Méditerranée de Barcelone”. More than 50 students from 12 nationalities at the Lycée Français participated today in this extracurricular activity in which students simulated a youth forum and presented their own regional cooperation projects from a youth perspective. They also played different roles including country representatives, non-governmental actors and journalists. The objectives of this pilot project, which aims to expand to other Mediterranean academic institutions, are to enhance the students’ decision-making capabilities and raise awareness on the UfM’s mission and regional cooperation initiatives.

Over the previous weeks, UfM experts delivered five sessions in order to brief the students on current Mediterranean regional affairs, the UfM’s priority areas and the projects labelled by the UfM Member States. They also learned the modus operandi of the UfM and how the institution works to enhance regional cooperation and integration through women’s socio-economic empowerment, youth employability, inclusive growth and sustainable development. Some of the UfM projects presented by the experts included the Desalination Facility for the Gaza Strip and the UfM initiatives promoting action against climate change.

The students put into practice the knowledge they had acquired about the UfM in today’s final role-play session, where they also applied their skills in public diplomacy, debate and public speaking.

This initiative offers a good opportunity for young students to understand the importance of regional cooperation, learn more about the Union for the Mediterranean and engage in key issues of concern to their generation.