The Tenerife Island Council, through its Department of Education and Youth, presented the 10th Spanish Philosophy Olympiad, which will take place on April 28th and 29th at the Costa Adeje Tourist Development Center. This event, being held for the first time in the Canary Islands, will bring together students from all over Spain in the 3rd and 4th years of ESO (Compulsory Secondary Education) as well as Baccalaureate programs, to reflect on globalization, internationalization, justice, and immigration, under the theme... Borders and global justice.
The island councillor for Education and Youth, Concepción Rivero, offered the details of this philosophical tournament together with the territorial director of Education of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Government of the Canary Islands, Federico Delgado; the councillor for Culture and Education of the Adeje City Council, María Clavijo; and the vice dean of Philosophy of the University of La Laguna and member of the Permanent Commission of the Philosophical Olympiad of Spain, Margarita Vázquez.
Concepción Rivero affirmed that this competition will help young people "strengthen their critical thinking, learn to value and form their own opinions, something fundamental for their personal development." She noted that the last three editions have been held online, so she asserted that "it is an honor for Tenerife to host this national event as it returns to its in-person format." Furthermore, she emphasized that it will be a great opportunity to showcase the talent of young people and will serve to promote the holding of events of this caliber in Tenerife more frequently.
The territorial director of Education for the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Government of the Canary Islands, Federico Delgado, highlighted that the development of the event will be possible thanks to inter-administrative, inter-territorial collaboration, as well as between educational stages, referring to Secondary and University Education.
He emphasized that this is the first time the Spanish Philosophy Olympiad has been held outside the Iberian Peninsula and celebrated its in-person format this year, following several virtual editions. He also stressed that the Canary Islands are the ideal setting for this tenth edition's theme, "Borders and Global Justice," given its intercontinental nature, and highlighted "the relevance of the reflection and critical thinking fostered by this event." Finally, he referred to the commitment to "educating happy individuals who live in just cities, as well as to the Olympic spirit, which emphasizes self-improvement rather than competition.".
For her part, María Clavijo, the Councilor for Education of the Adeje City Council, emphasized the importance of developing critical thinking in young people. “It has always been important, and I would say that today it is more necessary than ever. In a society where speed and immediacy are the order of the day, it is essential to have well-structured thinking, to know how to reason, argue, and defend values. That is why I am so pleased that Adeje has been chosen to host the tenth Spanish Philosophy Olympiad. It is an excellent opportunity to convey to our youth the importance of critical thinking.».
Margarita Vázquez, Vice Dean of Philosophy at the University of La Laguna and member of the Standing Committee of the Spanish Philosophy Olympiad, thanked all the institutions for their support. “This is the first time that all 17 autonomous communities, Ceuta, and Melilla have participated in the Olympiad, which is one more reason why we are especially excited,” she stated. Regarding the theme of this year's competition, Borders and global justice, He explained that he was chosen by the Canary Islands because it is an issue that closely affects this autonomous community.
Philosophical Olympiad
The 10th Spanish Philosophy Olympiad features four categories. The philosophical essay, aimed at high school students, will consist of writing an essay within 90 minutes, addressing a question related to the competition's theme. In the moral dilemma category, 9th and 10th grade students must write an analysis, concluding with a reasoned response to the dilemma presented. The photography and video categories are open to both 9th and 10th grade students and high school students, and will involve capturing a specific philosophical idea related to the chosen theme in photographs or video.
This Friday, the 17th, the final of the X Philosophical Olympiad of the Canary Islands will take place, which will decide the regional winners who will participate in the national competition representing the Islands.
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