Model National Assembly for Wales

Our annual Model National Assembly event features debate on contemporary Welsh issues, in a way that simulates the workings of the real-life National Assembly.

The day is divided into two parts:

Committee sessions (morning)
Students are divided into 4 committees, each of which considers a different topic. Each student is assigned the role of an Assembly Member (AM), civil servant or Minister. Working with a real-life AM or civil servant, they have a limited time in which to reach agreement on the topic under discussion. Civil servants then help the Minister to draft a speech on this basis, while AMs convene in political party groups.

Plenary session (afternoon)
All students convene in the Assembly’s former Chamber and the 4 topics are debated in turn. The Minister’s speech is followed by an open debate on the topic, then everybody votes on whether to accept the Minister’s recommendations.

CEWC-Cymru originally developed materials to support Model National Assembly events in 1999, and held the first conference of its type to mark the inaugural National Assembly elections. Since 2003, we have organised an annual day conference at the Assembly’s Crickhowell Building in Cardiff Bay.

Our members’ area includes guidance on running Model National Assembly events in your school.