The role of debate in bridging the gap with EU institutions

On the 18th of November 2023, Gimnazija in Srednja Šola Rudolfa Maistra Kamnik in Slovenia became a hub of vibrant discussion and intellectual exchange, hosting a gathering of high school students engaged in project 'DEUS: Dealing with Euroscepticism' project, funded by the European Union. Through a series of events happening in multiple EU members, IDEA and partners are promoting democratic participation and youth engagement with the European Union while fighting disinformation and polarizing narratives.

Participants from entire Slovenia engaged in meaningful discussions in both English and Slovene. These discussions highlighted the skills of critical thinking and public speaking, essential for the democratic process and informed citizenship.

The event was supported  by the participation of MEPs, including Dr. Milan Brglez and Dr. Klemen Grošelj, who lent their perspectives and enriched the dialogue with the students. This interaction was pivotal in illustrating the role of EU institutions in everyday life and dispelling misconceptions.

The participation of European Parliament members in this event was symbolic and a practical demonstration of the DEUS project's goals. It provided a unique opportunity for students to interact directly with EU representatives in an informed and constructive way, not participating as passive recipients of messages.

Our deepest appreciation goes to the organizing team at ZiP for organizing this event.

As we look forward to more such events, we remain committed to the DEUS project's vision – cultivating a generation of well-informed, critically thinking young Europeans who are ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow with a balanced perspective on the EU.

The project is co-funded through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.