European Youth Parliament Competition

Every year Durham Sixth Form Centre enters a team in the annual European Youth Parliament Inter-Schools Debating Competition. This year the North-East regional final was held in February at Jesmond Park Academy alongside other competing schools.

There were six debates, each one involved one school team defending a proposed motion whilst a second team attacked the proposition. Teams gave opening and closing speeches and were able to make interventions during the debate, either supporting or opposing the proposed motion. At the end of each session a vote was taken involving all teams.

Each debate followed the procedures used in the European Parliament, with two teams being able to progress to the National level of the competition. Teams were judged on team participation, enthusiasm, strength of arguments, coherence and range of arguments, reference to European examples and overall debating style.

The debates covered Artificial Intelligence, tourist impact on local populations, childhood hunger, addressing toxic masculinity, housing and asylum seekers and the need for greater defence capabilities. Durham Sixth Form Centre’s team was made up of Sam Canavan, Neve Forth, Mack Milroy, Jacob Nakonesky, Jacob Robson, Edda Stenbom-Moss and Daisy Todd, who all did a great deal of research, preparation and organisation for the various debates. The team supported a motion calling for improved defence commitments and opposed the motions dealing with toxic masculinity and tourist impacts on residents. Excellent opening and closing speeches were given on these three subjects. The team also participated enthusiastically and skilfully in the other three debates.

The competition proved to be a useful exercise in developing communication skills and styles, and in raising awareness of issues that are of importance across Europe.  It was an enjoyable day of intellectual argument and a chance to compete with other sixth forms from across the region.

The DSFC team were commended on their strong teamwork, and well researched, delivered points.