On Wednesday, 25th March 2015, St. Kilian’s German School Dublin and the Lycée Français d’Irlande (LFI) held a combined event, the annual Elysée Treaty Debate, involving senior cycle students from both schools.
The debate aims to engage students with European issues and to foster interest in their role as Europeans today.
Ms. Alice Lynch, the principal of St. Kilian’s and Mme Anne-Sophie Gouix, Proviseur Lycée Français d’Irlande welcomed the students, the German ambassador H.E. Matthias Höpfner and his wife, invited guests, parents, adjudicators and representatives of the German and French embassies to the debate at the Eurocampus Dublin.
The motion for this year’s debate was a broad European topic: “Europe is losing its influence in the world of today”. The evening was chaired by Mr. Peter Mathews TD. As adjudicators, we were delighted to welcome Mr. Michael Doorly (Head of Active Citizenship in Concern Worldwide), Mr. David Hopkins (Convenor of The Irish Times Debate and founder of Junior University Debates), Mr. Peter Adams (Cultural Attaché at the Embassy of Germany) and Ms. Isabelle Cohen (First Secretary of the French Embassy).
The debate this year had the highest participation figures with twenty five students performing in five teams. All the teams were very well prepared and argued strongly for or against the motion. Their arguments ranged widely from economics to politics, sports, culture and literature. It was a vibrant debate that lasted for two hours with an entertaining cross-fire section chaired by Mr. Callan from St. Kilian’s to complete the evening. As the chairman, Mr. Mathews summarized at the end of the debate; “All aspects have been touched upon and all arguments were very well connected. World influence is something that flows and if Europe is influencing then let it be become something for good.” He went on to say that whether it is gaining or losing influence is for the adjudicators to decide and that this would be a very difficult decision considering the standard and conviction of the views expressed on both sides of the debate.
Congratulations to the 2nd Proposition Team – Emer Clissmann, Aine Fellenz, Isabel Clissmann, Rodrigue de Decker der Brandeken and Roland Andrews – who were declared this year’s winners and were presented with a Perpetual trophy by Mr. Mathews and Mr. Doorly. The first prize is a two and a half day fully sponsored trip to the European Commission in Brussels and to the German and French Missions to the EU. Our gratitude goes to the German and French Embassies in Ireland and CRH who sponsored the prize. Runners up were the first proposition team of Sadhbh Skehan, Clara Tatlow-Devally, Emma Jane Sheridan, Clara Schmitt and Oceane Thompson who each received gift vouchers. Well done to all involved.
The organising teachers were Sarah Donohue, LFI and Linda Golden, St. Kilian’s. Ms Golden said it was a pleasure to work with such bright, enthusiastic and articulate students who represented the influence of Europe.
More images can be found in the gallery.
Information on the Elysée Treaty Debate in previous years can be found here.
