• Who can participate?

Simulations are opened to high school students from all over the Czech Republic. They can apply as individuals or in teams of two or three members. As the debate will be carried out in English, all participants should have good knowledge of this language.

• How can I apply?

You can apply by filling up this short form. Enter your personal and contact data and answer this question: If you were voting in US presidential election this November, for whom would you cast your vote and why? (in English and in the extent of maximum 1 standard page – 1 800 signs including spaces). If you want to participate in the simulation as a team, all of its members have to apply. Application form must be filled up by October 10, 2016.

• How do I find out that I am selected to participate in the simulation?

Candidates will be informed by e-mail by October 15, 2016.

• Where and when do the debates take place?

The two debates are taking place on October 24, 2016, 17:30-19:30 at the Jiří Mahen Library  (Kobližná 4, Brno) and November 7, 2016, 18:00-20:00 at the Centre for Contemporary Art DOX (Poupětova 1, Praha 7). Each participant can attend only one simulation.

• Are there any fees connected with the participation?

No. On the contrary, travel costs to Prague/Brno will be reimbursed by AMO to all participant coming from other cities.

• Can I choose a party to represent?

No, party to represent will be drawn by lot 5 days before the simulation at the latest and its participants will be informed by e-mail about the results. Debaters do not have to defend positions of particular candidates (Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump), their task is to focus on opinion spectrum of the given political party.

• What is the debate format?

Each debate simulation will be organized as an open-to-public contest and is to be divided into three blocs:

(1) Foreign Policy and National Security (25 minutes) – ISIL, Russia and Ukraine, NATO, Iran, North Korea, Military Reduction, Terrorism

(2) Economy, Taxes, Fiscal Issues (25 minutes) – Taxation, Deficit Reduction, State of the Economy, Middle Class Stagnation, Role of the FED, Wall Street & Bank Regulation, Economic Growth

(3) Domestic and Social Issues (25 minutes) – Gender Gap, Health Reform, Education Reform, Separation of Church and State, Campaign Finance, Abortions, Same-Sex Marriage, Guns Control, Legalization of Marihuana

Each block lasts 20 minutes. Two teams representing the Democratic Party and two teams representing the GOP are going to encounter in each debate. It means there will be 4 teams participating in each simulation. Each team is going to be represented by one member in each block.

Discussion with members of expert jury on election campaign and upcoming US presidential election is also going to be part of the debate.

• What is the difference between applying as an individual and applying as a team?

If you participate as an individual, you are going to debate in each block. If you participate as a team, you can decide which member is going to represent you in each block.

• How can I prepare myself for the simulation?

Articles and publications issued by AMO on the topic of American election may serve as inspiration and background materials. If you would like to consult the position of your party in advance with us, you can approach Jan Pivoda (jan.pivoda@amo.cz).

• How is the the winner of the simulation going to be selected?

Three-member expert jury comprising specialists from the field of academia, diplomacy, non-profit organizations, business and media will select the winner. Their decision will be based on demonstrated knowledge of American politics and positions of political parties and also their debating and rhetorical skills. Each member of the jury will have one vote. The audience will take place in selection process as well as and it has two votes in total. Team with the highest number of votes wins the simulation.