Hello European Union Enthusiasts, The First Southwestern Model European Union hosted by the EU Center at the University of Oklahoma this past April was a fantastic success. I write to provide details about this year's event and to encourage you to include us in your plans for spring 2003. Universities from Oklahoma and Arkansas sent nine country delegations for a total of eighty student participants. Students played the roles of foreign ministers, agriculture ministers, finance ministers, commissioners, members of parliament and heads of state. In these roles, they had a chance to propose, veto and enact legislation important to their nations and the European Union. Student evaluations indicate that students learned a great deal about the institutions about the EU, about the process of bargaining and compromise, and about the value of good preparation. Conclusions of the presidency, student comments, pictures, and hospitality information and simulation guidelines for the 2002 summit are available on our web site at http://www.ou.edu/eucenter/Programs.htm -- click on the Model EU link. For more information about the European Union Center and the University of Oklahoma visit our website www.ou.edu/eucenter . We expect a larger number of delegations to participate in the Second Southwestern Model EU, which will take place on the OU campus from April 24 to 26, 2003. We understand that bringing a delegation to the Model EU requires substantial advance preparation, and we encourage you to begin your plans early. Please contact us with any questions concerning the logistics or substance of the simulation. Sincerely; Mitchell P. Smith, Ph.D. Co-Director, European Union Center Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and School of International and Area Studies The University of Oklahoma 455 West Lindsey St. Room 205 Norman, OK 73019-2001 Tel: (405) 325-8893 Fax: (405) 325-0718 [log in to unmask] Jody Loving Assistant to the Co-Directors University of Oklahoma European Union Center 630 Parrington Oval rm 555 Norman OK 73019 405-325-1926 [log in to unmask] www.ou.edu/eucenter