Over three days they discuss issues for society and the scientific background to them. They discuss these with researchers from related subject areas and learn about political decision-making processes in a simulated parliament. In 2018 the theme of the student parliament is ‘The Future of Mobility’. In conjunction with the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) in Toulouse, around 70 students from 10 European countries exchange ideas with scientists.

Students become parliamentarians and discover the links between science and politics through Wissenschaft im Dialog’s European Student Parliaments. In 2018 school students from across Europe debate the future of mobility in Toulouse.

The student parliament from 7 to 9 July 2018 was a satellite event of the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) in Toulouse. One student gave a Flash Talk about his experience at an ESOF session.

After three days of discussion and debate on ‘The Future of Mobility’ students handed over their resolutions to Carlos Moedas, EU Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation. The plenary chamber of the Conseil Départemental de la Haute Garonne provided the perfect atmosphere for the debate. 70 high school students from 10 countries across Europe took part in the European Student Parliament, speaking to scientists in expert hearings and experiencing the democratic process in a simulated parliament.

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Experiencing democracy while debating science

‘Debate Science! European Student Parliaments’ aims to promote dialogue between young people and scientists. During a three-day event school students learn about parliamentary decision-making processes.

Working in committees the students investigate various aspects of the theme and meet scientists with relevant expertise. They write resolutions which they debate on the third day of the event according to the structure of a classical parliamentary debate where positions are presented, attack and defence speeches are held, and an open debate is followed by voting on resolutions.

Student parliaments

Wissenschaft im Dialog has run student parliaments in Germany since 2001. The student parliaments proved to be an excellent method for discussing scientific issues, so WiD expanded the project across Europe. In 2013 – 14 the first round of the European project was held in conjunction with the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) and was funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung. In 2015 – 16 the project continued with funding from both the Robert Bosch Stiftung and the Bayer Science and Education Foundation. The ESOF 2018 in Toulouse will also host to a European Student Parliament.

Most student parliaments are three-day events. Students are supported by moderators in all phases. On the first day, after the welcome and introduction to the topic, the students come together in committees and get to know each other through teambuilding activities. Then they start work on their subtopic. The second day begins with preparations for the expert hearings which follow directly afterwards. The scientists attending these sessions provide factual information and discuss the subtopic with the students. After the hearings the students evaluate and interpret the discussion, and develop their resolutions. These are gathered in a booklet which is provided to the students on the morning of the third day, so that they can prepare themselves to make attack speeches on the other topics. During the parliamentary debate, every topic is debated according to the classical parliamentary process: after a presentation of positions, attack and defence speeches are held, an open debate is held and finally votes are taken. After the final debate the young people hand over their resolutions to a politician or policy maker.

Goals

The European Student Parliaments aim to enhance dialogue and exchange between young people and scientists. Further goals are:

Through the simulated parliamentary process young people learn to develop a qualified opinion and assess complex topics. At the same time they learn about scientific themes and develop their interest in science and research.

The European Student Parliaments aim to bring young people into contact with scientists. The school students meet scientists, especially young scientists, which can provide them with perspectives for their career choices. Scientists learn about students’ ideas and concepts for the future.

Young people from different parts of Europe meet and work together, thinking on a European level. In the process they develop a European network.

Implementation

Wissenschaft im Dialog works with European partner organisations who implement student parliaments on a local or national level. The partners select school students to attend the biannual European Student Parliament which WiD organises in conjunction with ESOF. 60 – 100 students from across Europe come together at this event to debate scientific topics from a European perspective. Their resolutions are handed over to European policy makers.