The competition gives students the opportunity to learn about the European Union and how it operates through a hands-on simulation of the major institutions of the European Union including the European Council, the European Commission, the Council of Ministers and the Commission Directors-General.

The winning team members, home towns and delegation positions are: Jesse E. Bohnannon, Mishawaka, commissioner of health and consumer protection; Amanda Griffin, Granger, director general; Ryan Hill, South Bend, director general; Tracy Huddleston, Osceola, director general; John Leland, South Bend, foreign minister; Jihad Omar, South Bend, president of Cyprus; Wayne Purucker, Niles, director general; Laura Reiniche, Goshen, director general; Steven Turner, South Bend, minister of agriculture; James Segars, Granger, minister of finance; and Derek Webb, South Bend, ministry of environment.

Individual awards were given to Webb as “Best Environment Minister” and Bohannon, placed second as “Commissioner of Health and Consumer Protection.”

For three days the IU South Bend students, representing the Republic of Cyprus joined students from other Midwestern campuses to make policies and shape the future of the European Union.

The 11 students spent the spring semester learning about the political characters and policies of Cyprus. Based on their research, they drafted and submitted policy proposals to the conference secretariat in Indianapolis. During the weekend, the proposals were debated and considered.