Carmel College Students Represent the UK at European Parliament Event in Portugal

During the October half-term break, a group of Carmel College A Level Politics students travelled to Ferragudo in the Algarve, Portugal, to participate in the European Parliament Ambassador Schools (EPAS) transnational event “The European Bridge: Three Shores, One Future.” The event brought together students and teachers from Portugal, Ireland, and the United Kingdom to explore shared European values, democratic participation, and the future of youth engagement across Europe.

The visit formed part of Carmel College’s ongoing involvement in the European Parliament Ambassador Schools (EPAS) Programme, through which our students serve as Junior Ambassadors. The programme aims to increase young people’s understanding of European democracy, encourage active citizenship, and provide students with opportunities to engage with important political, social, and cultural issues beyond the classroom. The event was fully funded by the European Parliament, for which we are extremely grateful. This funding provided students with a unique opportunity to participate in an international educational experience that would not otherwise have been possible. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the organisers and partners involved in delivering the programme for creating such a valuable and memorable experience for all participants.

The four-day event featured an extensive programme of activities designed to encourage collaboration, discussion, and intercultural understanding between participants from the three countries. Following introductory presentations from each school, students took part in a series of workshops, debates, team-building activities, and discussions focused on the opportunities and challenges facing young people across Europe.
Highlights included the innovative “Bridge-Building Challenge”, which required students to work collaboratively to solve problems and develop practical solutions. Students also participated in the board game “Valores qUE me movem”, exploring the democratic values that underpin European society through a series of competitive and collaborative activities.

A particularly valuable aspect of the programme saw students engaging in discussions about the challenges of the digital age, considering issues such as online safety, digital citizenship, and the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies. Students also took part in international discussion groups examining perceptions of the European Union across Portugal, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. These sessions provided an important opportunity for participants to share perspectives, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another’s experiences.

The event culminated in the flagship “Three Shores, One Future” session, during which students and teachers presented their reflections on how young people view the European Union and discussed their recommendations for future generations. Participants then had the opportunity to engage in debate and discussion with Members of the European Parliament and other invited guests, allowing students to experience democratic engagement at an international level.

Throughout the visit, Carmel students demonstrated exceptional maturity, enthusiasm, and professionalism. By working alongside students from different countries and cultural backgrounds, they developed a wide range of valuable skills, including:

Communication and public speaking skills.
Leadership and teamwork.
Problem-solving and critical thinking.
Negotiation and collaboration.
Intercultural awareness and global citizenship.
Democratic participation and political engagement.
Confidence, adaptability, and resilience.
Networking and relationship-building with young people from across Europe.

These experiences will undoubtedly support students as they progress to university, apprenticeships, and future careers.

We would like to congratulate Cavahn, Evie, Grace, Fran, Francesca, Sasha, Rares, Sonny, Shea, Tallulah, Jack, Daniel, and Jess for the outstanding contribution they made throughout the visit. They represented Carmel College with distinction, embracing every opportunity to learn, collaborate, and share their perspectives with fellow participants from across Europe. Their conduct, engagement, and enthusiasm were a credit to both themselves and the College.

Special thanks must also go to Ines and Kristen, who accompanied the students throughout the trip and generously gave up part of their half-term holiday to support this important educational opportunity. Their commitment, guidance, and encouragement played a vital role in the success of the visit.

As Carmel College continues to strengthen its involvement with the European Parliament Ambassador Schools Programme, experiences such as “Three Shores, One Future” provide our Junior Ambassadors with invaluable opportunities to develop as informed, engaged, and active citizens. The trip to Portugal was an outstanding success and one that will leave a lasting impact on everyone involved.