Grenoble Law SchoolLaw at the top

On April 8 and 9, 2024, the 2024 edition of ConSIMium, a simulation of the Council of the European Union (EU), was held. On this occasion, students from the 27 countries of the European Union took on the role of heads of state and government in a simulation of negotiations organized in Brussels on the theme of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Grenoble Law School was proudly represented by one of its students, Lauriane Denger, who recounts her experience as President of the French Republic within the Council of the EU...

What is your academic background?

I have a double bachelor's degree in law and languages (English-Spanish) with a specialization in administration and international politics (DEGL-DAPI) from the University of Grenoble, and I am currently in my second year of a master's degree in European legal careers at the Grenoble Law School.

Why did you choose to participate in ConSIMium?

As I was aiming for a career focused on the EU, this experience was an opportunity for me to discover the legislative process from the inside and to gain technical and multicultural experience in line with the European institutions.

How were you selected for the UGA?

The French national coordinator for ConSIMium, Ms. Constance Chevalier-Govers, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law in Grenoble, approached my master's program director, who suggested my name and that of one of my classmates, with whom I applied. Unfortunately, I was the only one selected.

How did you prepare for this simulation?

The organizing team had set up training sessions to prepare us for the negotiations. In addition, our national coordinator contacted the Permanent Representation of France to the EU, which explained France's positions on the AI and Cyber texts.

How does it feel to be in the European Council building?

It's very impressive, the setting is exceptional, as is the staff. You really feel that this is a place of power, where important decisions are made... I felt a slight case of imposter syndrome when I arrived!

How did the two days of ConSIMium go?

It was very intense: 7:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. non-stop. When our roles did not require us to participate in simulation-related activities, the Council organized workshops on careers within the Council. We remained in our roles from start to finish, and the negotiations never stopped.

How did you feel about playing the role of the President of the Republic?

It was much more demanding than I thought! Everything was in place to put us in real-life conditions. People addressed me as if I were Emmanuel Macron. What's more, with France playing a leading role within the EU, I was constantly being asked questions and scrutinized. This was particularly difficult for me when it was my turn to guide my team and the 26 others on subjects I was less familiar with...

What did you gain from this experience?

So many things... I was able to put my theoretical knowledge of the EU legislative process into practice; explore topics such as AI, cyber security, and the banking and financial system in greater depth; discover the skills required for diplomacy; meet many people with inspiring backgrounds; meet lots of European students; be at the "heart of the action," which taught me a lot about the human aspect of the European project; and improve my public speaking skills (in English).

What difficulties, if any, did you encounter?

The hardest thing for me, as someone who is not very outgoing, was leading discussions, speaking first, and taking strong and often unpopular positions.

What are the highlights of this experience for you?

I will mention three. The first was during the red carpet event and press statements, in the presence of the real press! The second was during discussions with Council members about their professions and career paths. The third was during the closing evening, which brought all the students together for a friendly and informal gathering.

What are your academic and professional plans?

Currently interning at the EU office of the Armed Forces General Staff, I would like to pursue a career in strategic international relations and, in the future, perhaps join the European External Action Service (EEAS).