On 28 May 2025, Beata Bruggeman-Sękowska, in her capacity as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Model European Parliament (MEP) Limburg, was invited to take part in the 20th anniversary celebration of MEP Limburg—at the Regional Government Building in Maastricht. MEP Limburg is unique educational initiative that for two decades has helped shape politically aware and socially engaged European citizens.
Two Decades of Political Engagement for Youth
Since its founding in 2003 by Mr. Guy Frints, MEP Limburg has become a cornerstone in fostering political literacy and European awareness among youth in the Limburg region. The anniversary event brought together a wide array of partners, including secondary schools, educational advisers, and dignitaries such as Mr. Stephan Satijn, the Regional Minister of Limburg. The current board of MEP Limburg, led by chair Mr. Zeppe Roijakkers, also joined the celebration.
MEP Limburg is part of a non-political, pan-European educational network that simulates the workings of the European Parliament. Through these engaging and intellectually stimulating simulations, students from upper secondary education (HAVO and VWO) assume the role of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and debate real-world EU topics.
Mr. Stephan Satijn, the Regional Minister of Limburg ©communications-unlimited.nl
Mr. Guy Frints ©communications-unlimited.nl
Mr. Zeppe Roijakkers ©communications-unlimited.nl
By Youth, For Youth
Operating under the motto “for youth, by youth”, the Model European Parliament Limburg empowers students to actively explore the European integration process. Each year, over 100 students from Dutch and Belgian Limburg participate in the Limburg MEP Conference after qualifying through preliminary rounds held at their schools. In these rounds, students hone both their debating skills and their knowledge of pressing European issues.
Under the mentorship of school coordinators and MEP alumni, participants also develop vital social and professional skills, such as public speaking, negotiating compromises, and critical thinking. Outstanding students from the Limburg conference go on to represent the region at the National MEP Conference in The Hague, and potentially at the International MEP Conference, which is hosted twice a year in rotating EU member states.
From right to left: Aloys Bruggeman, Honorary Consul of Lithuania, Jacques Michel Bloi, member of the parliament of Limburg, Fernand Jadoul, Honorary consul of Luxembourg/Dean of the Consul Association Limburg, Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska journalist, writer. ©communications-unlimited.nl
Beyond Conferences: Real-Life European Experiences
In addition to its core simulation events, MEP Limburg enriches its educational mission with an annual curriculum that includes study visits to Strasbourg, Brussels, and Frankfurt, as well as alumni activities. These programs provide young people with first-hand experiences of European institutions and deepen their understanding of Europe in practice.
MEP Limburg aims to equip its participants with knowledge and skills in areas such as:
- The European integration process
- Functioning of the European Union
- European identity and unity
- Political awareness
- Communication and debate
- Consensus-building
- Public speaking
As MEP Limburg celebrates its 20th anniversary, it reaffirms its mission: to educate, inspire, and empower the next generation of European citizens—through dialogue, learning, and real-world engagement.
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