Harvard Model Congress Europe (HMCE) is a non-profit Harvard University student organization, run entirely by undergraduate volunteers who are dedicated to sharing their knowledge of international relations and American government with high school students from across the globe. Since our first conference in 1988, held in Luxembourg with around 100 student delegates, HMCE has emerged as the leading international and American government simulation for international high school students. As we approach our 25th year, our conference now boasts around 400 students from all corners of the world and programmatic options ranging from domestic programs, such as the U.S. Congress and Supreme Court, to international programs like the World Health Organization and the United Nations Security Council.
HMCE sets itself apart from other conferences through its commitment to challenging, inspiring, and teaching students. In creating an informed, intimate, and lively forum for debate, our staff exemplifies professionalism while conveying a contagious enthusiasm for each topic. By keeping our students focused and engaged, we hope to broaden delegates’ awareness of the world, help them gain an understanding of the workings and principles of democracy and civic participation, and inspire them to discover their own leadership potential.
HMCE teaches students about government by providing insights into pressing global issues and by offering them a forum to discuss solutions. HMCE’s staff of talented Harvard undergraduate students, selected after a competitive application process, strives to encourage a passion for democracy by simultaneously using the United States government and international organizations as models. Through intense researching and writing, HMCE staff members compile an invaluable wealth of information in the committee briefings posted online to help delegates prepare. The goal is to ensure that students gain substantive new knowledge and learn valuable skills that will help them confront the types of challenges that any society must face.
Students learn a great deal both from the program curricula and from engaging with one another, and they develop argumentation and public speaking skills as they become more comfortable in presenting original ideas to their peers. HMCE works diligently to prepare and encourage every delegate to participate actively in committee sessions, author treaties and bills, and give speeches before large groups on complex issues. HMCE’s goal is to help students articulate their views and engage in the productive debate that is vital to a working democracy. After three days of thorough debate, cooperation and hard work, each conference delegate will leave with increased confidence and leadership skills, an understanding of the workings of a democracy, improved public speaking skills and a better mastery of English speechmaking, and the ability to find common ground among disparate views.
