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On 5 – 6 February 2026, over 160 students will meet in Brussels to take part in ConSIMium – a European Council simulation experience. Over two days, teams of six students from 27 EU countries will step into the shoes of national representatives and role play negotiations between the EU member states at four different levels.

Two UL students, Erika O’Connell (4^th year BA Applied Languages with Politics) and Simon Petit (1^st year Double Degree MA in European Studies) will join four students from TCD and UCC to represent Ireland. 

ConSIMium 2025 builds on two previous events in 2023 and 2024. It is a hands-on experience of decision-making in the Council of the European Union and the European Council. The simulation allows students to understand the role of the member states in decision-making, the role of the Council’s Presidency, the value of deciding together and the importance of reaching a compromise. The scenario is based on real European legislation and countries’ negotiating positions. The simulation takes place in the Council buildings’ meeting rooms where ministers and EU leaders meet. 

The participants will take one of the following roles: head of state or government, minister, ambassador (permanent representative to the EU), national expert or journalist. In each meeting, representatives of the Presidency, the Council Legal Service, policy departments, and the European Commission will play their real-life roles alongside the students.

The participating students are selected at national level. The Irish team is co-ordinated by Prof. em. Joachim Fischer, Centre for European Studies, ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ. The six students have been selected from Irish universities currently running European Studies degree programmes: James Flanagan (UCC), Róisín Hannon (TCD), Kira Le Duff (UCC), James McGrane-Ero (TCD), Erika O’Connell (UL) and Simon Petit (UL).

The topics for this year’s ConSIMium simulation exercise are two Regulations relating to Foreign Investment Screening and the Anti-Coercion Instrument. They highlight to what extent the exercise aims to echo current issues and simulate real life negotiations.

Visit the for more details or contact the coordinator: joachim.fischer@ul.ie.