First place for the debating team of the Vocational High School of Tourism

Vocational High School of Tourism “Dr Vassil Beron” welcomed its partners on the Erasmus+ project “DISCOURSE – DISCussing OUR Stance for Europe” from 11th to 15th March, 2019. This project is focused on debating and for several days, the school turned into a place where there were contested debates and one could see students from 5 different countries walking past each other in the corridors. After the team visited its project partners from Germany, Turkey, Italy and Portugal, it was our turn to welcome them here. “Entering into the shoes” of MEPs, the debaters simulated the work of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament on the Refugee Issue. After close-run debates, the Tarnovo School won first place and Mr Svetoslav Malinov, a Member of the European Parliament, who was a guest of the debaters, handed the cup to the team personally. The meeting ended with a conference called “I – a Citizen of United Europe and a Future MEP”, where teachers and students showed what they have learnt and discussed the challenges and perspectives, which young people face today as part of the political and geographical map of United Europe. At the end of the meeting, the students received certificates for recognition and validation of the competences in the acquired debating skills. The main project products were presented, co-produced by the project partners, containing the best essays of students in English on the topic of the conference and a “Debater’s Handbook”, which will be distributed electronically, in paper and in pocket format.

Opponents in the debates, but friends in life, pupils and teachers parted filled with emotions and ideas for new partnerships. The last project meeting is in Istanbul, Turkey, and is scheduled for May.