The National Forum on Europe

To view rules in Irish, click under related files below

The National Forum On Europe has overall responsibility for the running of the 2008 Schools’ Competition.
The 2008 Schools’ Competition is a public speaking competition.
The competition consists of three stages: (1) Euro Constituency Heats, (2) Euro Constituency Finals and (3) a National Final.
The rules in relation to prizes, themes, marking schemes and adjudication apply to each stage of the competition.

The deadline for receipt of entries to the competition is 14 September 2007.

The Euro Constituency Heats will take place before 14 December 2007.

The Euro Constituency Finals will take place as follows:

The National Final will take place in Dublin Castle on 3 March 2008.

The National Forum On Europe sets the competition themes for each stage of the competition.
The themes and marking schemes for the Euro Constituency Heats are will be published online shortly
The themes for the Euro Constituency Final and National Final will be made available online on 1 November 2007.

The National Forum On Europe provides the prizes and will not sponsor any additional prizes.

Each school may enter one team consisting of three students from Transition Year.
Teams are encouraged to receive assistance in carrying out their research from other Transition Year classmates.
If for any reason a team member is unable to attend the competition, the school may replace them with another Transition Year student.
Any substitution must be brought to the attention of the Competition Coordinator in advance of the competition day.

The speaking order for the competing teams is decided by lottery at the start of the individual competition.
Each team decides on the order of their own speakers.
Each team member speaks for a maximum of four minutes.
Individual members of the team can take different positions on the themes.
Schools must be given at least two weeks notice of the themes they are to prepare.
The results of the competition are announced on the day.
Props, visual aids and singing are not permitted.

The competition coordinator is responsible for selecting the adjudication panel at the Euro Constituency Heats.
Adjudication panels consist of three members; one of whom acts as chair. At least one adjudicator should be knowledgeable in European affairs.
The marking scheme is set by the National Forum On Europe and is available to all coordinators
Adjudicators must disregard any information that is given by any student after four minutes.
The public speaking event chairperson is nominated by the competition coordinator. Their role is to introduce the teams and maintain the running order of the event.
A timekeeper is appointed from among the adjudicators by the chair of the adjudication panel.
The timekeeper times each of the contributions using a stop watch, clearly marks the time sheet and calculates the penalties that should be made for exceeding the allotted time. Speakers who exceed the allotted time will be penalised at a rate of 3 marks per minute or part thereof.
The Forum reserves the right to adjust the marking scheme for the Final stages of the competition should the need arise. Notice of any changes will be given in adequate time before the Final stages.
The decision of the adjudicators is final. The National Forum On Europe is not in a position to change the decision of the adjudication panel at any stage of the competition.
The chairperson of the adjudication panel is responsible for giving each team a feedback sheet following each event.

18 June 2007

Rules