20 students from Abbeygate Sixth Form College travelled to Strasbourg to take part in a climate change debate that was held in the European Parliament.
Abbeygate was the only non-EU school to be chosen to participate in this prestigious event.
The occasion was organised by the Euroscola programme, a continent-wide initiative to promote shared European values amongst young people.
The learners from Abbeygate are all studying a mixture of A-Levels in criminology, languages, law, government and politics – and they were part of an open discussion with youngsters representing 56 schools from 23 nations – some joining online from as far afield as Romania and Slovakia.
During this event, everyone listened to an introduction and welcome message from the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. Then the Vice-President of the European Parliament – Martin Hojsík– engaged in a question-and-answer session with students on the topic of human rights, freedom of speech and how tacking fake information online.
Abbeygate was chosen to represent the UK on this visit because it holds the status of European Parliament Ambassador School.
In terms of this trip to France, Erin Pipe, 18, from Newmarket, who is studying A levels in law, criminology and English literature at Abbeygate Sixth Form College – said: “I got to say something in the European Parliament. It was an amazing experience that you don’t get in day-to-day life.
“The debate when I spoke was being broadcast live and my face was on TV screens around the room. I didn’t see that – I was too busy focussing on what I was saying in front of a room full of around 1000 people.”
Lyssa Clarke, 17, from Bury St Edmunds studies A levels in law, government and politics, criminology and she is also studying maths and an EPQ at Abbeygate Sixth Form College. Lyssa said: “We had a welcome from the president of the EU – Roberta Metsola – and a live chat about climate change with the vice president Martin Hojsík. In the afternoon we took part in a debate. I realised a lot goes on (in the EU parliament). There is lots of back and forth, but eventually something happens that benefits everybody.”
After a full day at the EU Parliament on Friday, learners also got the chance to visit Strasbourg and walk over a footbridge to visit Germany into the town of Kehl.
They also on went on a reflective and powerful visit to the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp in the mountains near Strasbourg.
On this experience, Grace Hamre, 17, from Fornham St Martin who is studying A levels in Law, Criminology and Government & Politics at Abbeygate Sixth Form College, said: “It’s incredible that this took place less than 100 years ago. It showed how people can be so cruel – and how people can be so strong.”
On visiting the European Parliament, Grade added: “Looking back now, 20 of us were representing Abbeygate, Suffolk and the UK on a European stage – what an opportunity. For us -n in small little Bury St Edmunds to do that – was incredible.”
Jen O’Reilly-Turner, Group Subject Lead for Modern Languages at Abbeygate Sixth Form College and she organised the visit. Jen said: “This trip was a very impactful opportunity for the students, not only to represent the UK on the international stage, but also to learn about how the EU functions. They also got to witness first hand the horrors of a concentration camp to see exactly why we have today, a union of European nations determined to protect peace and human rights for future generations.
“It was also very important for them to see the importance and value of human rights and respect for life – and how this translates to what the European Union does today in terms of promoting peace, security and international co-operation.”
