The Seminar on the Common Agricultural Policy conveys aspects and challenges of European agricultural policy to pupils with the use of a simulation game and research. It is co-financed by the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission.

The Common Agricultural Policy is an important part of EU politics. It directly affects all EU citizens; yet, it does neither play a significant role in education nor the public discourse. During the seminar the pupils deal with the political instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy and its development over the past 50 years. That way, pupils not only learn the meaning of butter mountains and milk pools, but also actively address the current challenges of European agricultural policy. Further important aspects of the discussion are existing measures on environmental protection, the industrialisation of agriculture and provisions on animal protection.

The one-day seminars are conducted with groups from 20 up to 40 pupils and consist of two didactic stages. During the first stage, the pupils work out the several aspects, the background and history of the Common Agricultural Policy. In the second stage, the pupils apply their compiled knowledge in a simulation game, in which they assume the role of a Member of the European Parliament and negotiate the future of the Common Agricultural Policy.

The seminars are based on the “blended learning” concept, combining traditional learning and virtual elements. For that, EUROSOC#DIGITAL offers a virtual classroom where the pupils can access the relevant material. Simultaneously, specific questions encourage them to research information on their own on the Internet. This provides practice for the pupils’ research skills and enables them to differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information. Two seminar leaders accompany and assist the participants throughout the whole seminar.