250 students from Greece and the Greek diaspora exchanged ideas, engaged in creative debate, submitted proposals, and experienced the essence of European dialogue up close.
With the participation of approximately 250 students from 22 high schools in Greece and the Greek diaspora, the 9th Simulation of the Plenary Session of the European Parliament – organized by Mandoulides Schools – was successfully completed on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 January 2026.
For two days, the Theater of the Cultural and Athletic Center of the Schools was transformed into a modern Plenary Hall, where students, acting as “Members of the European Parliament,” were invited to discuss, argue, disagree constructively, collaborate, and reach common decisions on critical European issues.
The event was held with the approval of the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs and with the support of the Office of the European Parliament in Greece and the Representation of the European Commission in Greece.
Participating schools included: 12th General Lyceum of Thessaloniki, 1st General Lyceum of Edessa “Nikolaos Oikonomidis,” 1st General Lyceum of Alexandroupolis, 1st General Lyceum of Menemeni “Dido Sotiriou,” 1st Experimental General Lyceum of Larissa, 1st Experimental General Lyceum of Nea Ionia Magnesia, 2nd General Lyceum of Giannitsa “Anna Komnini,” 2nd Experimental General Lyceum of Kilkis, 4th General Lyceum of Kalamaria, 5th General Lyceum of Kavala, 7th General Lyceum of Kalamaria, General Lyceum of Soufli, General Lyceum of Chortiatis, “Athena” Schools, Avgouleas–Linardatos Schools, Mary N. Raptou Schools, Mandoulides Schools, N. Bakogiannis Schools, Zografeion Lyceum of Constantinople, Axion Lyceum, Music School of Argolida, Experimental School of the University of Thessaloniki.
On the first day of proceedings, students participated in committee sessions, drafted resolutions, and prepared their speeches. On the second day, the Simulation of the Plenary Session took place, during which bills were presented, amendments were submitted, and voting followed, all within a rich and meaningful dialogue.
A total of ten committees were formed, each working on a corresponding bill, aiming to address contemporary social, political, and institutional issues. Through this process, students had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with democratic procedures, develop public speaking, collaboration, and critical-thinking skills, and understand in practice the role of an active European citizen.
Students were welcomed by the General Academics Director of Mandoulides Schools, Dr. Aspa Chasioti, who conceived the idea of the event back in 2015 and oversaw its scientific and organizational coordination, in collaboration with distinguished colleagues Ms. Fani Georgiou and Mr. Lefteris Tsouvalas, as well as the President of the Simulation of the European Parliament Plenary, Mr. Izi Revach, lawyer and alumnus of Mandoulides Schools.
The event extended beyond the formal sessions. Students had the chance to meet one another, exchange views, enjoy themselves, and create shared memories, highlighting the importance of cooperation, teamwork, and creative coexistence.
Following the conclusion of the Plenary Session, an award ceremony took place, during which prizes were presented for Best MEP, Best Committee, Best Summary Speaker, Best Response Speaker, Best Defense Speaker, and Best Rebuttal Speaker, along with Honorable Mentions, recognizing the quality of speech, collaboration, and overall presence of the students.
Awards were presented by, among others: Deputy Minister of Education Mr. Nikolaos Papaioannou, Deputy Minister of Labor Ms. Anna Efthymiou, Rector of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Mr. Kyriakos Anastasiadis, Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki Mr. Dimitris Kouvelas, Coordinator of the Prime Minister’s Office in Thessaloniki Mr. Giannis Papageorgiou, Mayor of Kalamaria Ms. Chrysa Arapoglou, Regional Director of Education of Central Macedonia Mr. Alexandros Koptsis, Deputy Regional Governor of the Metropolitan Unit of Thessaloniki Mr. Konstantinos Gioutikas, Deputy Mayor of Education of the Municipality of Thessaloniki Mr. Christos Tseletis, Deputy Mayor of Education of the Municipality of Thermi Mr. Stelios Apostolou, Head of Europe Direct of the Municipality of Thessaloniki Ms. Olia Panagiotopoulou, Director of Secondary Education of Western Thessaloniki Mr. Christos Roubidis, Pedagogical Supervisor Ms. Katerina Galoni, and the Director of Zografeion Lyceum of Constantinople Mr. Giannis Demirtzoglou.
The Simulation of the Plenary Session of the European Parliament, as well as the award ceremony, were broadcast live by LIVEMEDIA. The broadcast is available at: https://www.livemedia.gr/simulation26
The photographs capture moments from the sessions, the award ceremony, and scenes of relaxation and creative interaction among the young “MEPs.”
Awards
Best Defense Speaker
Anthi Karapidaki – Avgouleas–Linardatos Schools Committee on Security and Defense
Best Rebuttal Speaker
Christos Zacharoulis – N. Bakogiannis Schools Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Best Response Speaker
Paraskeví Kintí – Avgouleas–Linardatos Schools Committee on Culture and Education
Best Summary Speaker
Anastasia Zervoudaki – Mandoulides Schools Committee on Culture and Education
Best Committee
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Best MEP
Katerina Poursanidi – Music School of Argolida Committee on Human Rights
Giorgos Kokkinos – N. Bakogiannis Schools Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Stergios Agorastos – N. Bakogiannis Schools Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Filareti Chrysidou – Mandoulides Schools Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Stylianos–Marios Trikaliotis – N. Raptou Schools Committee on Transport and Tourism
Christos Kelepouris – Zografeion Lyceum Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety
Emmanouela Papapavlou – Mandoulides Schools Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Sofia Tsochatzidou – Mandoulides Schools Committee on Culture and Education
Myron Plagiannakos – N. Raptou Schools Committee on Public Health
Panagiotis Chountis – Avgouleas–Linardatos Schools Committee on Security and Defense
Honorable Mentions
Agapi Roussidi – 1st General Lyceum of Alexandroupolis Committee on Human Rights
Fotios Niras – 4th General Lyceum of Kalamaria Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Elli Sidiropoulou – 1st General Lyceum of Menemeni Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Ioanna Sketou – N. Bakogiannis Schools Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Anastasia Papalazarou – 1st General Lyceum of Edessa Committee on Transport and Tourism
Kalliopi Karapantsiou – Mandoulides Schools Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety
Christos Rafael Tzoumas – 5th General Lyceum of Kavala Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Ioannis Arvanitidis – 1st General Lyceum of Alexandroupolis Committee on Culture and Education
Georgios Kefalas – 5th General Lyceum of Kavala Committee on Public Health
Ioanna Liakou – N. Bakogiannis Schools Committee on Security and Defense
Here you can access the Programm, Press Release, Study Guide, Committee Summaries, Voting, Instrustions, and Parallel Programm.
