Meeting with MEPs
The European Parliament is made up of 720 Members elected in the 27 Member States of the European Union. Meeting these Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) can be a great way to learn about European politics, voice your concerns, and potentially influence policy decisions. For youth participants, such an experience will provide lasting memories and will very likely spark their curiosity about the European Union. It is an excellent opportunity to increase young people’s interest in political topics and to foster civic participation. As MEPs have an important role as European decision makers and their decisions directly affect local governments, communities, and organisations, meeting with them can be a way for young people to get their voice heard in political decision making and to share their personal insights from a youth perspective.
What should you know about MEPs?
It is essential to start by doing targeted research in order to understand the MPEs’ roles and how their work impacts everyone’s life. Researching certain MEPs’ positions on issues that are important to you and knowing where they stand on them, will help you to identify those MEPs who are most interesting and useful for you to meet, so that you can engage more effectively with them on matters that concern you. As all MEPs are part of specific committees that focus on different areas of policy, it is a good idea to identify these committees, as understanding theme can help you to focus your engagement on the right areas.
Good to know:
You can find all MEP names and curricula in this official webpage: www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en
Their assistants, who can facilitate the process of contacting and meeting an MEP, are listed here: www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/assistants
How can you connect with the European Parliament?
There are a couple of ways of how connect with the European Parliament, as this official video illustrates: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/video/x_N01_AFPS_231128_HIW9
Additionally, each EU country member state, has a European Parliament Liaison Office (EPLOs). These EPLOs are responsible for the local implementation of institutional communication activities, with the goal of enhancing people’s awareness of the impact of the European Parliament on their daily lives and of promoting their engagement in the European democratic process. These offices can be a precious help if you want to contact an MEP with or for your youth group, as they are open to the public and engage with citizens and stakeholders, manage contacts with national, regional and local media, and provide support to MEPs in the exercise of their official mandates in the Member States. EPLOs engage with the local population and increase awareness about what the European Parliament is, what it does and what it stands for, as well as on the impact its deliberations have on citizens’ daily life.
Local EPLOs can be contacted through the official websites: https://liaison-offices.europarl.europa.eu/en/offices
Tips for a successful meeting with an MEP
There are several aspects that you should consider when preparing and planning a meeting with an MEP in order to make the meeting as productive and impactful as possible.
Prepare thoughtful questions
- Be specific and avoid vague or general questions.
- Be concise and stick to the point.
- Show your knowledge by demonstrating that you have done research and know who you are taking to.
Be respectful and professional:
- Dress appropriately, choose attire that reflects a professional and respectful image.
- Be punctual, arrive on time for your appointment.
- Use proper etiquette and maintain eye contact, speak clearly, and use polite language.
Be clear about your goals:
- Know what you want and determine the specific outcome you hope to achieve from the meeting.
- Be prepared to follow up and have a plan for how you will continue to engage with the MEP after the meeting.
Utilise your network:
- If you know someone who has connections to MEPs, ask for their help.
- Join relevant organisations and become a member of youth groups or NGOs that advocate for issues you care about.
Be persistent:
- Do not give up if you do not get a response immediately – be persistent and follow up.
- Be patient and remember that MEPs have busy schedules.
Follow up:
- Send a thank you note after the meeting to the MEP you met to express your gratitude and try to mention your key points again.
- Stay informed and continue to follow the MEP's work and, if possible, engage in relevant discussions.
Some useful information about the European Parliament for youth: https://youth.europarl.europa.eu/youth.html
Activity suggestions before, during, and after a meeting with an MEP
In order to get the most out of a meeting with an MEP, such an event has to be planned thoughtfully. The goal of the following activity suggestions is to create a dynamic and engaging environment that fosters meaningful dialogue and collaboration between youth participants and MEPs. Ideally, all activities are tailored specifically to the individual interests and goals of your group.
Before the meeting
- Role-playing: Simulate a meeting with MEPs, assigning roles and discussing potential issues.
- Debate: Organise debates on current European topics to familiarise participants with different perspectives.
- Group discussions: Facilitate discussions on topics related to the meeting, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Mock interviews: Practise interviewing MEPs to prepare participants for the real encounter.
During the meeting
- World Café: Set up stations with different topics related to the meeting. Participants rotate between stations, discussing and sharing ideas.
- Fishbowl discussions: Create an inner circle for discussion and an outer circle for observation. Participants can switch roles.
- Question and answer sessions: Allow participants to ask MEPs questions in an open and interactive format.
- Group projects: Assign groups to work on specific projects or proposals related to the meeting's theme.
After the meeting
- Reflection sessions: Discuss the meeting's outcomes and insights gained.
- Creative expression: Encourage participants to express their thoughts and feelings through art, writing, or music.
- Action planning: Develop plans for follow-up actions based on the meeting's discussions.
- Sharing sessions: Organise events to share the experience with a wider audience.