National Final Youth debate

It's almost time for the highlight of the Youth debate competition! Exciting debates by the best young debaters from all over Switzerland await us at the National Final. But for all the intensive preparation and nervousness, this is not the only big moment for the participants: After they have had a go at their own debate, a visit to the Federal Parliament awaits them, where they can put their burning questions to the parliamentarians...

Overview of the programme

Friday, 22 March:

  • 11.30: Opening
  • 12.30 to 16.00: Debate round 1
  • Followed by a guided tour of the Federal Palace and discussion with parliamentarians for participants (invited guests only)

Saturday, 23 March:

  • 8.30 to 12.00: Debate round 2
  • 13.10 to 13.30: Announcement of finalists
  • 14.00 to 14.30: Final debate secondary I
  • 14.45 to 15.15: Final debate secondary II
  • 15.45 to 16.15: Award ceremony
  • From 16.30: Apéro

The National Final will take place at Bundesgasse 35 in Bern, in the building of Die Mobiliar.

A glimpse into the world of debating!

The students had to work hard to earn their title of best debaters: After qualifying within the school, finishing on the podium at the Regional Final and preparing during the finalist training, they can now prove their skills at the National Final. We are excited to see how the participants will do. The students will debate the following topics:

Secondary level 1:

  • Should cash be abolished in Switzerland?
  • Should students be allowed to be excused from school to take part in a fixed number of demonstrations?
  • Should the use of public transport under the age of 16 be free of charge?

Secondary level 2:

  • Should the authorised use of artificial intelligence in the Swiss economy be restricted to protect jobs?
  • Should access to mental health care be completely free of charge up to the age of 25?
  • Should power plants for the generation of renewable energy be allowed to be built in Swiss nature reserves?
A good debating culture is for democracy like oxygen for life. I was impressed by how committed, fair and knowledgeable these young people were in their debates.
Cédric Wermuth