Lentiz Revius Lyceum: Debating Radical Climate Action
On May 22nd, 2025, students from Lentiz Revius Lyceum in Maassluis took part in the Green Debate series. This event was also part of the Erasmus+ EU co-funded project Empowering Youthwork for the Green Debate, which brings debate closer to the youth as a way of encouraging them to critically engage with climate politics.
Working with IDEA’s case studies, the students had to decide between two topics: Is Extremist Climate Activism Justified? and Should Companies or Individuals Bear the Burden of Green Transition? They opted for the first and debated the motion:
“Climate activists should disrupt traffic and the economy more radically.”
The debate was held in the Middle House format, which balances structured speeches with opportunities for spontaneous engagement. Students used the case materials to build well-reasoned arguments on both sides, weighing the ethical legitimacy and potential effectiveness of more radical activism.
This event not only sharpened the students’ public speaking and reasoning skills but also helped them confront real-world dilemmas about the balance between protest, disruption, and the urgent need for environmental change. In line with the project’s aims, the debate showed how structured dialogue empowers youth to become active, informed, and creative participants in Europe’s green future.
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