Four participating schools from Drenthe faced each other during On the way to Het Lagerhuis. Students of Dr. Nassau College from Assen, Esdal College Emmen, Hondsrug College from Emmen and Roelof van Echten College Hoogeveen not only debated with each other, but also with members of parliament.
Less than a week and then the provincial elections will be on the agenda. Parties like to show themselves during a debate. But that art is not for everyone. To stimulate that skill, BNNVARA goes out every year with Opweg naar Het Lagerhuis in search of the best debate and speech talent in the Netherlands. Today the preliminaries were on the program in the state room of the province.
The themes that are being discussed are also themes that play a role among young people, such as sex education in schools and mental health. But these are also themes that are on the political agenda. “I like to discuss, also with friends, about topics that are going on in the world,” says Marten, one of the participants.
Brechtje, a student at Esdal College, has a different motivation to participate. “I like to give my own opinion and convince others, but also to listen to a different opinion and to think about it. How they think about certain points and that can influence your opinion. That makes it So much fun.”
A competition has a jury. This consists of various members of parliament, including Jos Schomaker of the PvdA. “We pay attention to everything. Arguments, cooperation in the team, body language, but also humor is important. We clearly judge whether it is in it or not. We look at it the same way when we debate ourselves. So convincing the other person in a proper manner.”