On 6 February 2026, ISN students stepped into the heart of Monaco’s institutions during an exceptional educational visit to the Monaco Parliament, officially known as the National Council. Students from Grade 8 Middle Years Programme (MYP) to Grade 11 studying Global Perspectives, IB Global Politics, Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Individuals & Societies gained a unique opportunity to witness how governance operates in practice and how national decision-making connects to global challenges.

The Monaco National Council plays a central role in the Principality. It is where laws are discussed, debated, and voted on, and where elected representatives speak on behalf of Monaco’s residents. Through its legislative work and commissions, the National Council helps shape Monaco’s future, protects citizens’ rights, and balances tradition with modern development. 

Students also explored how Monaco combines democratic representation with constitutional monarchy. Citizens elect representatives to the National Council, while the Head of State, the Prince, is not elected. This balance is a defining feature of Monaco’s political system and contributes to its institutional stability.

Students examined the composition of the National Council, which currently includes 24 members, with 11 women and 13 men. This reflects continued progress toward gender parity and balanced representation, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in leadership and decision-making.

Inside the Institution: Meeting a Political Leader

During the visit, students had the honour of meeting Mrs. Mathilde Le Clerc, National Councillor and President of the Commission for Education, Youth and Sports. Meeting an active elected representative gave them valuable insight into the responsibilities, challenges, and dedication required in public service, highlighting the human dimension behind political institutions.

Mrs. Le Clerc presented the National Council, explaining its history, institutional role, and day-to-day functioning. Students learned how laws are proposed, reviewed by commissions, debated, and ultimately voted on, while gaining a clearer understanding of how councillors represent the needs and concerns of Monaco’s population.

Her work particularly resonated with the students due to her strong and ongoing commitment to youth-related issues. She is actively involved in tackling bullying, modernising sports infrastructure, and developing recreational spaces designed for young people. She also supports discussions around the concept of a “digital majority” at age 15, recognising the growing importance of digital responsibility. In addition, her proposal to limit smartphone use in schools aims to reduce cyberbullying and promote healthier learning environments, supporting student well-being and aligning with global priorities such as SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Reflecting on key takeaways from the visit, Anna (Grade10) commented: “Madame Leclerc has presented about the Monaco Council as well as about cyberbullying and limiting smartphone usage, especially in school, in order to promote student well-being. I was fascinated when she shared her knowledge with us, I learned so much about both the Monaco Council and about promoting students' security and comfort. I felt very fascinated by her presentation and am very grateful that I could take part in such an important event”. 

Reflecting on the experience, Julia (Grade 10) shared: “Visiting the national council of Monaco was a truly enriching experience. It allowed me to discover all the procedures taken to draft laws and find out about the important debates that have taken place with the presentation of the president of health and sports herself. Finding out about this by sitting on the deputies chairs made it that more special, as it made me feel even more passionate than I already was."

Mr. Sergio Galvis, Humanities Coordinator and TOK teacher, reflected on the experience: “Accompanying our students to the Conseil National of Monaco was a powerful reminder that civic education comes alive when learners can see institutions in action. The quality of the welcome and the clarity of the presentation made the experience both memorable and deeply educational. Our students listened like citizens, questioned like researchers, and left with a clearer sense that politics is not abstract — it’s lived, debated, and shaped through representation and decision-making.”

Where Decisions Shape the Future

The visit demonstrated how Monaco’s national policies connect to global priorities reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), showing that even smaller countries contribute meaningfully to global challenges and solutions. The work of the National Council supports areas such as quality education, student well-being, inclusive representation, and strong democratic institutions — values reflected in global goals including SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

For G11 students studying Global Perspectives, Global Politics, Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Individuals & Societies, the visit provided direct real-world context. Students were able to connect classroom discussions about governance, ethics, decision-making, and global responsibility to a functioning political institution.

Sharing her reflections on the visit, Valeriya (G11) explained: “Visiting the Conseil National de Monaco consolidated my IB Global Politics knowledge and gave me the opportunity to experience politics in practice.”

The experience also supported the G8 MYP learning approach by linking classroom knowledge with real-world institutions. Through this visit, students strengthened critical thinking by analysing how laws are created and how political decisions affect society. They also developed communication skills through direct interaction with a political leader while strengthening social and civic awareness.

Describing the impact of the visit, Mai-li (G8) shared: "Visiting the Monaco Parliament on Friday was a particularly enriching experience for me. I would like to sincerely thank my teachers and the Principal for allowing me to attend, as well as Ms Le Clerc for her commitment and for organizing this visit. It helped me better understand how the National Council is elected, how it functions, and how political decisions are made. This experience strengthened my civic awareness, my sense of responsibility, and my understanding of the importance of citizen participation in society."

Speaking about the experience, Vivienne (G8) said:“The visit to the Monaco Parliament was very interesting, as it demonstrated how political leaders balance responsibility, debate, and decision-making with their personal life. In addition, this visit also helped strengthen my understanding of the real challenges and responsibilities of leadership and how political decisions affect the society, which is also strongly linked to our INS studies.”

The visit also reflected key values of the IB Learner Profile, encouraging students to be inquirers, thinkers, principled, and open-minded citizens who understand their role in society.

This visit was a powerful learning experience. It allowed students to connect academic knowledge with real-world experience and understand that governance is built through participation, responsibility, and dialogue. 

Ultimately, the visit highlighted that strong institutions, informed citizens, and responsible leadership are essential for building a fair, safe, and sustainable future — both in Monaco and globally.