About the Ethics Olympiad
The Ethics Olympiad, an event characterized by competition and cooperation, enables students to engage in discussions on current, real-life ethical dilemmas. This unique initiative was first brought to life by Matthew Wills in 2013, inspired by similar events like the Ethics Bowl in the United States. The Olympiad differentiates itself from traditional debates by allowing students to advocate for beliefs they genuinely uphold, rather than assigned opposing positions. They are recognized for demonstrating a deeper, more thoughtful, and logical understanding of the cases at hand. The primary objectives of the Olympiad are promoting ethical consciousness, critical thinking, respectful dialogue, international collaboration, and an appreciation for a diversity of views.
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The Olympiad, which originated in Australia, has since expanded to several countries, including New Zealand, India, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canada. The Canadian Ethics Olympiad was established in 2019 by founding members Ye Zhang, Zach Bloom, Theo Stapleton, and Archie Stapleton. While Theo and Archie were students of Matthew's in Perth, Western Australia, and have been actively involved in judging, organizing, and running training sessions since the Olympiad's inception, Ye Zhang and Zach Bloom joined them as founding members to enhance the organization's reach and impact.
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In 2020, Theo and Archie trained a representative team from Canada that competed in the International Ethics Olympiad, achieving an impressive Silver Medal. The following year saw the commencement of the inaugural Canadian Ethics Olympiad, where the top teams qualified for the 2021 International Ethics Olympiad. The team performed extraordinarily well, earning the Gold Medal. The winning streak continued with the Canadian teams securing Gold Medals at the 2022 International Ethics Olympiad as well.
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The Ethics Olympiad provides schools with an exclusive opportunity to cultivate students' skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. The event encourages students to deliberate on moral issues together, mirroring the complex moral and political interactions of our society. Relevant and age-appropriate ethical cases are released annually, assisting coaches in preparing their students for the event.
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Since 2020, the Olympiad has been conducted online, eliminating geographical limitations and encouraging participation from regional and remote schools. A panel of tertiary-educated judges assists the teams on the day of the Olympiad to help them arrive at the best possible solutions.
The Ethics Olympiad has evolved into a highly respected intellectual competition that celebrates diversity of thought and encourages ethical dialogue. Its influence continues to inspire students worldwide.