Europe’s youngsters to debate about the contribution of Petrochemistry and Plastics in the Digital Age
EPCA and PlasticsEurope launch the
next edition of their debating competition
The journey continues: The
European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) and PlasticsEurope once again join
forces to promote education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
(STEM) by organizing a series of debating competitions for youngsters in Europe.
"The European Youth Debating Competition” (
EYDC) will
take place between April and October 2017. Students aged 16 to 19 years old will
participate in each of the seven National Finals taking place in: France,
Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK. The European Finals
2017 will take place in Berlin on Sunday 1st of October 2017, during
the 51st EPCA Annual Meeting.
From
2007 to 2012, a series of debating competitions for young students were successfully
organized by the plastics manufacturers. In 2016, this programme was rejuvenated
by EPCA and PlasticsEurope with a series of youth debates having taken place in
several EU countries, culminating in Budapest with the European Finals in
October 2016.
The
debating competition is a multifaceted initiative to engage young people with
the key issues facing modern society with a stimulating yet enjoyable discussion.
This year’s debate touches on the theme:
"People,
Planet, Profit in the Digital Age: With or without petrochemistry and plastics?”
Each of the participants will receive professional coaching before the
debates, as well as an explanation of the format and rules. Following each debate,
a jury composed of representatives of industry, media, NGO’s - as well as from
EPCA and PlasticsEurope - will select three winners during each country’s
National Final. To win, students will need to display public speaking skills
with well-informed, logical and persuasive arguments.
Caroline
Ciuciu, CEO of EPCA, highlights the association’s endorsement of the project:
"This competition is a unique opportunity for students of a generation of
digital natives, to further explore the links between our society’s development,
sciences and the petrochemical industry. In addition, in a fast changing and
sometimes divisive environment, this debating competition offers youngsters the
chance to interact with each other regardless of gender, nationality and
culture. Finally, for us as an industry, the EYDC is an excellent initiative to
connect with a new generation, listen and learn about their views as well as
their visions of our future. In a nutshell, it is a way to
"Connect – Listen – Learn – Collaborate”,
for both the youngsters and our industry.”
Karl-H.
Foerster, Executive Director of PlasticsEurope adds: "Beyond the importance of
STEM education, EYDC aims to provide a platform for students to build their
self-confidence and express their thoughts in a convincing way. It is an open
and respectful debate on topical issues related to petrochemistry and plastics.
By bringing awareness and education together, we make science and technology
more tangible, accessible, and directly connected to their reality.”
How
will we live tomorrow? Will the smart cities of the future be completely interconnected?
Will drones be delivering our goods? Will the current workplace and educational
environment still exist, as we know them now? How will we ensure and sustain
access to drinking water and healthcare for a growing population? Will the
development of new technologies be possible without science and industry? What
will the contribution of petrochemistry and plastics be to a sustainable
society in a digital age? These are some of the questions the youngsters will be
debating.
For
the participants of the EYDC, in-depth research and preparation as well as a
high standard of debating skills and techniques are necessary for the
front-lines of the debate. In the end, we expect some exciting outcomes from
this year’s EYDC!
Editor’s
Note:
EPCA and PlasticsEurope have
launched a new series of the European Youth Debating Competition (www.eydc.eu)
targeting young students aged 16 to 19, throughout Europe. The main objectives
of the European Youth Debating Competition (EYDC) and its organisers from the
petrochemical and plastics industry are to promote STEM education (Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), to empower students with soft skills
and to encourage them to further discover and exchange on the contribution of
petrochemistry and plastics in the digital age. Whilst for industry, it is an
opportunity to listen to the views and expectations of the next generation of
leaders. Technological dimensions of this new era with sustainable mobility, energy
efficiency, smart living, societal wellbeing, are key ingredients for the
future of both industry sectors and the overall competitiveness of the EU.
The European Petrochemical
Association (EPCA)
Based in Brussels, EPCA is the quality
network in Europe for the global chemical business community consisting
of chemical producers, their suppliers, customers and service providers.
It operates for and through more than 700 member companies from 54
different countries. EPCA provides a platform to meet, exchange
information and transfer learning, and serves as a think tank for its
members and stakeholders. EPCA promotes STEM education, with a clear
focus on gender and diversity inclusion. EPCA also underscores that the
chemical industry is a good industry to work
for.
PlasticsEurope is one of the leading European
trade associations with centres in Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Madrid,
Milan and Paris. The association is networking with European and
national plastics associations and has more than 100 member companies,
producing over 90% of all polymers across the EU28 member states plus
Norway, Switzerland and Turkey.