Today, November 15th, I visited the European Parliament in Brussels with a group of students from my school. Our lecturer had arranged for us to visit the Parliament and attend a presentation about cybersecurity in the Parliament and Europe.

Journey to Brussels

A few friends and I took the train to Brussels and arrived at the station simultaneously. To our surprise, our lecturer was on the same train. We walked a short distance to the Parliament building and waited for the rest of our group to arrive. Once everyone was there, we took a quick picture in front of the building before heading inside.

Security Check and Welcome Hall

Before entering, we had to go through a security check where our bags were scanned by an X-ray machine, and we went through a metal detector. While waiting for everyone to clear security, we explored the welcome hall, which featured some art and a model of the building itself.

Introduction to the Parliament

Once inside, we met our friendly tour guide who led us to a presentation room. Here, Tom Vandenkendelaere, a member of the European Parliament, gave us a short introduction. He informed us that the Parliament has 705 members and 23 technical commissions.

Cybersecurity Presentation

Following the introduction, we received a more in-depth presentation about cybersecurity in the Parliament and across Europe. We learned about the evolution of security measures in the Parliament over the past seven years. However, the presenter emphasized that much more improvement is needed in all areas of security.

Tour of the Great Meeting Room

To conclude the tour, our guide led us to the "great meeting room" where she explained more about the workings of the Parliament and the functions of the room. After this insightful explanation, she brought us back to the entrance. We took another quick picture in front of all the European flags before heading back home.

Conclusion

The visit to the European Parliament was an enlightening experience. We gained valuable insights into the workings of the Parliament and the importance of cybersecurity within such an important institution. It was a memorable trip that left us all with a deeper understanding of European politics and security measures.