Erin Eckerd Participated in EU Simulation

2014 Nov 14

Erin Eckerd of Mechanicsburg, Pa. recently participated in the annual simulated European Union (EU) parliamentary session in Washington, D.C. Eckerd, a graduate of Cumberland Valley High School, is pursuing a bachelor of arts in international studies and Spanish at The Valley.

At the conference, Eckerd played the role of Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, argued Hammond's position, and negotiated with other governments or politicians to achieve a policy result. Each year the EU simulation conference addresses a different policy focus--recent topics have included climate change, energy policy, and immigration. This year's policy focus was transatlantic trade and investment partnership.

Students began the fall semester by studying the history, culture, and current political environment of the country they were assigned to represent at the conference. Students also studied how the EU operates, as well as its history and current issues and tensions.

LVC joined the MAEUSC in 2009 on the recommendation of Dr. Philip Benesch, associate professor of politics, who had experienced the program while teaching at his previous institution. A native of the United Kingdom, Benesch completed his undergraduate degree at the University College London and his graduate work at the London School of Economics, providing a European insider's perspective to the experience.