Faculty of Law EU Club visits European Institutions 2025
The Griffith College Faculty of Law recently completed its annual educational journey to Brussels, offering its undergraduate and postgraduate students a unique opportunity to experience the inner workings of European Union institutions firsthand. This immersive trip provided the Law students with valuable insights that cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom setting.
Day 1: Council of the European Union
Day one began with a visit to the Council of the European Union, where students were introduced to one of the EU's main decision-making bodies. Faculty members and students were able to observe the environment where elected EU ministers meet to discuss, amend and adopt laws and coordinate policies.
Day 2: European Parliament
The second day took us to the European Parliament, the EU's directly elected legislative body. Students had the privilege of touring The Hemicycle, where 720 MEPS from across 27 European states debate and vote on legislation that affects over 448 million citizens. Our students gained valuable perspective on how diverse national interests are represented and reconciled at the European level. Students learnt about the eight political groups and how there are 26 committees set up to draw up, amend and adopt legislative proposals.
Day 3: European Commission and EESC
On our final day, the group visited the European Commission, the EU's politically independent executive arm responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing day-to-day business. Students learned about the Commission's crucial role in upholding the common interests of the EU. A big thank you to Haydn Schofield who gave an interesting talk about the work of the European Commission and how much it has changed for the better in the last number of years.
The trip finished with a visit to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), where students learnt how this consultative body represents civil society organisations in the EU decision-making process.
The Faculty of Law remains committed to providing these experiential learning opportunities that bridge the gap between theory and practice. The EU institutional trip has become a cornerstone and pillar of our practical legal education, preparing our students for careers that increasingly require an understanding of European and international legal frameworks.
