#GenerazioneEU 2024: Palermo's Debaters Win
THE FINAL OF THE DEBATE TOURNAMENT THAT INVOLVED 42 TEAMS DURING THE SEASON WAS BROADCAST LIVE FROM BOCCONI UNIVERSITY. THIS MARKS THE END OF THE 2024 EDITION OF THE INITIATIVE, ORGANIZED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND THE BOROLI CHAIR IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ITALIAN REPRESENTATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COMMISSION IN MILAN, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE WEDEBATE NETWORKShould energy and climate change policies be decided at the European level? This question – which concerns one of the pillars of European action – was debated by the two finalist teams of the 2024 edition of #GenerazioneEU, the initiative that involved over 450 high school students across Italy, culminating in a 42-team debate tournament. The last live challenge was on the Bocconi stage, where The Relative Speakers TRS from Liceo Scientifico Einstein in Palermo and the FLACCHI from Liceo Classico Flacco in Potenza battled for the title of best team of the tournament. At the end of the encounter, the Palermo team came out on top. Also awarded, as best debaters, were Ulisse Gaia from Liceo Volta Fellini in Riccione, Pasquale Mollo from Liceo La Farina - Basile in Messina and Ludovica D'Andria from Liceo Durano Marzolla Leo in Brindisi.
"Today's debate is about one of the most important issues at the European level: climate change," said Bocconi Rector Francesco Billari in welcoming the initiative. It involves Bocconi and the Achille and Giulia Boroli Chair in European Studies, alongside the Italian Representation of the European Commission and the European Parliament's Liaison Office in Italy, as well as the technical support of the WeDebate network and the Enrico Tosi lead school in Busto Arsizio. And, recognizing how much positive impact the commitment of the new generations can have, he recalled that "Bocconi’s values include precisely the idea of being able to inspire people and push them to make their dreams come true and to affect change in the world."
The final in #GenerazioneEU also come at a time when the future development of Europe – a few days before 9 May, the day that celebrates the Union, and less than two months before the European elections – can only be at the center of attention. Fabrizio Spada, Head of Institutional Relations at the European Parliament's Representation in Italy, spoke out on the subject of the upcoming elections: "Those who vote in the next round of elections will contribute to giving direction to EU policy," said Spada, who recalled how, in 2019, abstention in Italy exceeded 50%. "Maybe many Italians think that the European elections are second-class elections, but this is not the case. Perhaps citizens do not know that 70% of the legislation published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale are actually European-derived standards." The EU, "which has grown tremendously in the last 30 years," Spada added, "is nevertheless still an incomplete creature: it has power over some matters, but not over others, such as foreign policy."
Claudia Colla, Head of the European Commission's Representation in Milan, said: "What has been happening in recent times underlines the role that the EU could play. It is not a question of going to vote, but of deciding to support the EU as a major player on the international stage." And, with reference to the theme of the final debate, Colla recalled the many steps that the European Union has taken and is taking on these issues: "We need to take concrete decisions today. This is why the EU is moving forward with policies such as the Green Deal, Fit for 55 and – following the war in Ukraine – the RepowerEU plan". Finally, quoting the words of European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, that "The future is in the hands of the next generations," she urged the students, some of whom will vote for the first time on 8 and 9 June: "Now the future is in your hands."
by Andrea Celauro
Translated by Richard Greenslade
