The final of the school debate tournament on EU topics was held at the “Panto Mališić” High School in Berane, organized as part of the EUbuzz campaign implemented by the Ministry of European Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation, with financial support from the EU through the EU4ME and Europe House projects.
The finalists were Nikola Milićević, Nina Drobnjak, and Bojana Brakočević in the affirmation team, and Ana Božobić, Saška Ivanović, and Tamara Ostojić in the negative team, who debated the topic “Montenegro’s membership will bring more harm than benefit.” The affirmation team won.
The debate final was opened by Gordana Despotović Đekić, Director General of the Public Information Directorate on the EU and the EU Accession Process at the Ministry of European Affairs, and the school principal Dragan Bubanja. Despotović Đekić praised the Berane high school debate club as one of the oldest and most successful, reminding the audience that they are the current champions in debating and oratory in Montenegro.
“Dear debaters, I hope this does not put additional pressure on you but motivates and inspires you to showcase your best qualities, to be creative, persuasive, and to present your arguments properly. Debate is much more than a competition – it teaches us critical thinking, research, and developing empathy for different perspectives. It is a tool that helps us become more open, tolerant, and ready to build a better society, and these values are at the heart of the European Union,” she said.
Bubanja reminded the audience that the European Union is taught as an elective subject at the Berane high school, just like debate, for which the school is well-known.
“This enables our students to develop communication skills and critical awareness which are important indicators of better adaptation to many societal patterns and situations. Let today’s event be another step towards promoting the values of European integration and raising awareness among young people and the general public about democracy, responsibility, and the rule of law,” concluded Bubanja.
The Berane High School is one of 18 high schools from 16 Montenegrin municipalities that participated in the three-month EUbuzz campaign, during which over 300 debaters “buzzed” about the EU. The campaign will be concluded in mid-December in Podgorica, when the members of the winning teams will receive awards and certificates.