Various groups from the south of England argued about language diversity, the Eurovision song contest and the accession of Turkey into the EU. An impressive collection of young people balanced economic and cultural arguments and used various rhetorical devices to get across their ideas on how Europe should develop.
The narrow winners were from West Sussex, where the idea had originated.
This county already has a notable "European Youth Ambassadors" scheme as well as being a Beacon Council for youth participation. The knowledge and skills of all those young people taking part were of a high order, giving some hope that the younger generation may well be better informed about Britain's role in Europe than some of their elders.
I left wondering, however, if I was viewing an elite: well-informed because of good teaching and well-schooled in how to present a case. Does the average young person know much of continental Europe and how it is already affecting his or her life? Are they too much of a prey to the anti-European press,with its half-baked scare stories about Brussels bureaucracy or this country being swamped by Polish plumbers?
Even if they are informed, how many have the skill - and confidence - to shape and argue a cogent case and hold their own in debate without resorting to insult?
These are important skills in life and they could usefully be developed within youth work. The National Youth Agency's own Act by Right publication could help and possibilities are now opened up by the imaginative use of the Youth Opportunities Fund.
Debating competitions were once more common in youth work, especially in Young Farmers' Clubs.
In a world of iPods, blogs and text messaging, is it too late to reinstate the ancient concept of teaching rhetoric?
