About Harvard Model Congress Europe

Founded in 1987, Harvard Model Congress Europe (HMCE) is an educational conference run exclusively by undergraduates at Harvard College.

HMCE is the premier international government simulation available to high school students, with an average of 500 students attending annually. Over the past 35 years, HMCE has had a rich and diverse history, from our inaugural conference in Luxembourg to Paris, Athens, Brussels, and now Madrid. Each year, we are privileged to welcome the unique contributions of talented delegations coming from all over Europe and the world. HMCE also has sister conferences in Boston, San Francisco, Asia, and the Middle East.

First and foremost a teaching institution, HMCE stands out because of its fundamental mission to provide the most comprehensive programmatic model to foster individual and group learning. The conference challenges students to simulate and engage in the same issues that actual government organizations — including the US Congress, courts, and international bodies—are facing. From debating bills and resolutions to negotiating with other legislators and country representatives, each student will have the opportunity to both examine and actively discuss some of the most important problems and solutions concerning the world.

Through role-play and simulation of open debates, caucuses, trials, press conferences, and testimonies, students will develop a stronger understanding of civic involvement and government function. They will hone critical skills—making compromises, public speaking, strategic negotiation—that they will be able to apply in a variety of settings as they become leaders in tomorrow’s world. At HMCE, students are able to explore their own strengths and weaknesses while learning from and along with their peers.

Additionally, our conference is fortunate to allow students to work with an exceptional staffing team. Each year, our Executive Board selects 35 of the most accomplished Harvard undergraduates, all of whom also serve at the largest Harvard Model Congress conference in Boston, to staff our conference. These students have shown incredible devotion to the conference mission, boast diversified interests, and have a wide variety of perspectives in the fields of government, civics, and politics. Many members of our staff have served in some capacity for the actual government organizations they lead at the conference.

HMCE 2025 will feature a diverse array of committees.

We look forward to seeing you at HMCE 2025!