Approximately 3000 pupils from 14 Central and Eastern and Southeast European countries are taking part in the competition. They are learning German at schools that are part of the worldwide network Schools: Partners for the Future (PASCH). The competition is organised annually by the Central Agency for Schools Abroad, the Goethe-Institut and the Hertie Foundation and is under the patronage of President of the German Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble. He and the Minister of State for International Cultural Policy at the Federal Foreign Office Michelle Müntefering will speak at the final.
The competition seeks to strengthen debate as a medium of democratic discussion and to foster civil society skills and active multilingualism in Europe. To this end, four participants, two for and two against, will each debate socio-political topics. In the course of a number of phases, the best participants from each country will qualify for the international final.
Organiser: Other