Col·legi Sant Ermengol Wins Andorran Debate League on Machoistic Youth

Students from Col·legi Sant Ermengol claimed victory in the Andorran phase of the third national secondary and baccalaureate debate league, securing a place at the Xarxa Vives final at the University of Alicante from 20-22 April.

The event concluded Thursday in the Consell General hemicycle after two days of rounds centred on the question: "Are we facing a more machoistic youth?" Teams from Escola Andorra de Batxillerat, Agora International School, Col·legi Sant Ermengol, Lycée Comte de Foix, and Col·legi Espanyol Maria Moliner—comprising five to seven members each—argued both sides. Each team prepared positions for and against, with rules requiring source citations for claims and barring false information, allowing rivals to challenge evidence.

In the final, Col·legi Sant Ermengol edged out Lycée Comte de Foix after both tied at six points, with individual debate scores deciding the outcome. Lycée Comte de Foix took second place, while Ariadna López from Col·legi Espanyol Maria Moliner earned best speaker honours. López highlighted the intense preparation, involving extensive review of studies and data to anticipate and counter opponents. "It demands huge mental agility to track rival points and rebut them on the spot," she noted, expressing pride at the recognition and saying it counters stereotypes about her Spanish-system school matching others in Catalan proficiency.

Laia Domènech from the winners credited team unity and confidence. "We defended our position—whichever it was—right to the end," she said. Looking to Alicante, the team aims to bolster data to address phase weaknesses.

Iñaki Rubio, educational coordinator at the Ministry of Institutional Relations, Education and Universities, commended the participants' reasoning and eloquence, observing rehearsals in public areas like Plaça de la Vall. He views youth as "part of the solution, not the problem," noting the parliamentary venue has elevated standards over three years by adding pressure and inspiration. Rubio stressed benefits like research, fact-checking, empathy, collaboration, and balanced thinking, insisting all involved had already won by participating.

Síndic General Carles Ensenyat opened Wednesday's sessions, calling the hemicycle ideal training for future councillors. He described the topic as timely amid rising machoistic violence and attacks on women in public office, warning progress is not linear and requires collective effort, including advancing women's rights like abortion decriminalisation despite Andorra's institutional constraints.

An early round featured Col·legi Espanyol Maria Moliner (in favour) against Agora International School (against). The latter prioritised data over anecdotes, conceding machoism's existence but rejecting claims of increase, while opponents raised street harassment and falling female engineering enrolment.

The jury comprised education professionals, conselleres generals Maria Àngels Aché and Meritxell Alcobé, and AQUA director Isaac Galobardes.

On 2 March, an International Women's Day event at the Consell General will see women in public roles read a consensus "Declaration in Favour of Gender Equality and Against Any Form of Sexism."