The UK national finals of the European Youth Debating Competition (EYDC), organised by the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) and PlasticsEurope, gathered 50 students from 11 schools at Imperial College London to debate the subject: "People, Planet, Profit in the Digital age: With or without petrochemistry and plastics?” The three winners (all three 17 years old), David Fagmeni (Westcliff High School for Boys), Cecili Ward and Rachel Kale (both Prendergast School) will represent the UK at the upcoming EYDC European Finals in Berlin, this coming October.
The participants, divided into fixed speakers (pro and con factions) and free speakers (able to argue any position), surprised both jurors and members of the audience with their outstanding debating skills and strong knowledge of the subject matter. The 50 students discussed the importance of petrochemical and plastics products in many areas of our daily lives, such as medicine, renewable energy and electronic devices, but also addressed the challenges these projects have.
Cecili, David and Rachel will join the winners of the other seven national debates in the EYDC European Finals, that will be held during the 51st EPCA Annual Meeting.
See press release (PDF)