9-11.05.2025 VeUMEU Venice Universities' Model European Union 2025

#FestaEuVenezia2025

• Venice International University,
• Ca’ Foscari University of Venice,
• Venice Diplomatic Society
• Europe Direct of the Municipality of Venice,
• Polis Social Hub
• San Servolo services 

The VeUMEU is also supported by the European Parliament’s Research Service (EPRS). 

As a simulation of the legislative procedure of the European Union, participants played the roles of members of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, following the steps of the ordinary legislative procedure by which European directives and regulations are adopted. A group of students has also formed the Press Corps, which is responsible for reporting on developments over the weekend. VeUMEU was an excellent opportunity for students to approach the world of multilateral diplomacy and hone their negotiating and leadership skills. The students learned how the European legislative process works, the rules of procedure, the introduction of amendments and how EU directives and regulations are drawn up.

For the 2025 edition, the themes for the simulation were: 

1) Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 of the European Parliament and the Council

The proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerns the welfare of dogs and cats, as well as their traceability within the European Union. The main objective is to ensure that pet animals are treated humanely, ensuring their good health and protection. The proposal provides for common rules on registration, identification and traceability of animals to prevent trafficking and ensure that animal rights are respected. It also lays down specific requirements for the management of dogs and cats during transfers between Member States, in order to avoid ill-treatment and abuse. The regulation aims to improve surveillance, husbandry practices and promote responsible animal adoption. The proposal also includes provisions for the education of owners and the empowerment of competent authorities in each Member State, in order to promote ethical treatment of pet animals throughout the European Union.

For this edition, two political analysts from the European Parliament’s Research Service (EPRS) attended VeUMEU to advise and guide students during the deliberations: Stefano de Luca and Claudia Vinci.
Stefano de Luca, political analyst in the Digital Policy Unit of the European Parliament’s Research Service (EPRS), specializes in telecommunications, cybersecurity, IoT, responsibilities for emerging technologies. Prior to that, he was a senior analyst at Cullen International, dealing with telecommunications and digital economy regulations, with a specific focus on autonomous cars. Before joining Cullen International in 2016, he worked as an associate at an international law firm and the European Commission’s think tank on various issues related to the review of the EU regulatory framework for telecommunications and the digital economy. He also holds an LL.M. in International Business Law from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA School of Law) and a State of the Art on Communications and Media Regulation from the European University Institute (EUI).

Claudia Vinci, veterinary and policy expert at the European Parliament’s Research Service (EPRS). He has a degree in Veterinary Medicine obtained with honors in 2006 and a specialization in Reproductive Physiopathology of domestic animals achieved with the highest marks in 2009, obtained at the University of Naples "Federico II". After several years of clinical practice, including managing a pet clinic, Claudia joined the European Commission as a Blue Book trainee and later worked with the food industry in Brussels. He has been a member of the European Parliament since 2020 and currently works at the Research Service of the European Parliament, focusing on animal welfare policies and livestock production.

After consideration of several amendments, a total of 20 adopted by the Council of the European Union and about 15 by the Parliament, The Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability received a favourable vote from both institutions. The legislative text has therefore been approved and should now become law.

As regards the proposed Cyber Resilience Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/2847), the Parliament adopted 5 amendments while the Council made no changes. Again, both Houses voted in favour, allowing the final adoption of the text.

It is quite rare for two legislative proposals to successfully pass through both institutions and actually become law. A really positive result, made possible thanks to the valuable contribution of the experts who have been able to explain clearly the key points, and the skill and willingness of the participants who, through dialogue, have reached a shared compromise. So this edition was also a great success. 

Questions and participation

Participation was open to students of the Ca' Foscari University, Università degli Studi di Padova, Università Iuav di Venezia, Global Campus of Human Rights, VIU and universities associated with VIU.  The selection of participants and allocation to institutions/committees has been overseen by the Organising Committee in order to achieve the highest level of international participation.

The initiative included an intensive preparatory seminar and plenary simulation.
A certificate of attendance shall be issued.

There is no registration fee, as the event is free.
For further information, see the dedicated page on the websites of Venice International University and Ca' Foscari University in Venice.

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