Welcome

Dear Delegates,

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to the 12th session of the Simulation of the European Parliament-Canada-Quebec-Europe, also known as SPECQUE. Over a decade, SPECQUE has become the largest and most prestigious simulation of the European Parliament to be held in the French language. In 2009, SPECQUE will unite 140 students with over 20 nationalities from differents parts of Canada and Europe. The Executive Committee particularly encourages applications from individuals coming from countries other than Canada and Europe in order to give SPECQUE a more open and diverse perspective.  This year’s SPECQUE will be held in Berlin and Dresden from the 9th to the 15th of August, 2009.

The simulation allows both newcomers and experienced SPECQUOIS to engage themselves in debates that address actual issues currently being discussed in the European Parliament. This experience is enriched by the diversity of cultures and opinions represented by all participants.

One of the most important characteristics of SPECQUE is that all work is carried out in French.  Whether it is the drafting of reports or during debates in the parliamentary session, all participants use French as a medium of communication. Apart from this, the session is also a system of democatric values, exchange, and sharing, which each year is set forward to enable transatlantic encounters. Participants debate several important questions that deal with the political, economic, and socio-democratic issues that are particular to the European Union. These debates are meant to stimulate the interest of the participants along with developing transatlantic expertise in the European sphere, while at the same time highlighting the cultural interaction.

SPECQUE 2009 will take place during the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Germany and the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Thus, this year’s SPECQUE plans to be unforgetable, not only for the debates, but also for its socio-cultural events. Given that this session will be a very special one, the Executive Committee is working hard to organise some fantastic events.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Together with the Executive Committee, I look forward to meeting you soon in Germany, the heart of Europe.

David William Jean-François Burmeister