GISSV at the Jugend debattiert North America Finals 2025

From October 28–31, 2025, teacher Hannah Wexler and student Wiebke M. (Class 10a) proudly represented the German International School of Silicon Valley at the North America finals of "Jugend debattiert," a German-language debating competition for students from DIA and DSD schools across Canada, Mexico, and the USA.

The competition combines rhetoric training with structured debates on current political and societal topics, including universal basic income, school drug policies, and the banning of extreme parties. Events like these aim to promote democracy, political education, debating culture, and students’ confidence in expressing themselves.

Wiebke, who won GISSV’s internal school competition, highlighted her experience: “I loved meeting German-speaking students from different parts of the world, learning so much in a completely different setting than normal school, improving my communication skills, and having fun while exploring a new city.”

While the overall winner of the North American finals was a student from the German School Montreal, Hannah and Wiebke represented GISSV with enthusiasm, skill, and dedication. The event was supported by ZfA, the DANK Haus Chicago, and the German Consulate in Chicago.

We congratulate Wiebke and look forward to seeing her continued engagement in debating.
 

Photos: Hannah Wexler