The Student Association of Parliamentary Simulations (ASESP) successfully held the second edition of the Simulation of the United States Senate (SISEU) at the Fuenlabrada campus of the Rey Juan Carlos University. The event, organized under the auspices of the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences, was attended by more than 100 students from various disciplines, who assumed the roles of senators and debated current issues such as foreign relations, constitutional rights, border security and immigration, and health.
The opening ceremony was chaired by the Vice-Rector for Community, Campus, Culture and Sport Mercedes del Hoyo, the Vice-Dean for Academic Planning, Faculty and Study Plans of the FCJP Francisco Javier Arias Varona, the General Director of SISEU Emily Dos Santos, the President of the Plenary Session of SISEU Xabier Fernández and the Professor of Political Science and Administration Mercedes Alda Fernández. In addition, Professor Daniel Casal Oubiña, who was invited to give the opening talk on the United States Senate, participated in the event. During the four days of simulation, the participants demonstrated a high level of commitment and dedication, developing negotiation, public speaking and teamwork skills.
The United States Senate, as the upper house of Congress, plays a crucial role in passing laws, confirming senior officials, and overseeing the executive branch. In the current context, its relevance is even greater due to the debates on immigration policies, constitutional rights, and national security, topics that were addressed during the simulation. The success of SISEU II 2024 lies not only in the quality of the debates and the organization, but also in the effort and enthusiasm of the students, who managed to realistically recreate the functioning of the US Senate. These activities are endorsed by Professor Mercedes Alda Fernández, who strongly supports these educational initiatives of our students.
ASESP is already planning the next simulation, which will focus on the Brazilian National Congress and will be held in April 2025 at the Madrid-Vicálvaro Campus, once again under the auspices of the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences, continuing its mission of fostering academic debate and practical learning among students.