The Ethics Olympiad offers schools and universities a unique opportunity to develop students’ skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Its purpose is not only to engage students in complex ethical issues but also to provide a constructive space where they can work through these issues together—as members of a shared moral and political community.
Students (“Eth-letes”) are guided by a coach—usually a teacher—who helps them prepare for the event. Each year, age-appropriate and engaging ethical cases are released to coaches in advance. On the day of the Olympiad, teams connect via Zoom, so all that is required is a reliable internet connection.
During an Ethics Olympiad, Eth-letes present and evaluate arguments in response to a central ethical question. Their task is to articulate the position they find most ethically defensible. Participants consistently report that they value this format: it encourages thoughtful, cooperative reasoning and allows them to agree with other teams—something not possible in traditional debates. Our experienced judge/moderators support this process by guiding teams toward clearer, more rigorous thinking.
Senior High School Olympiads (15–18 years) are held in May, Middle School Olympiads (12–14 years) in November, and Junior School Olympiads (9–12 years) in June and September. In 2023, the Australian Association of Practical and Applied Ethics hosted the first Tertiary Ethics Olympiad, now an annual October event.
Schools and universities may register one or two teams of five Eth-letes. Registration fees range from $45–$55 AUD per student, with total team fees between $245–$255 AUD. Member schools and early-bird registrations receive discounted rates. Once registered, coaches receive a comprehensive training kit and access to the ethical case set—six cases for the Junior division, and eight cases for Middle School, Senior divisions and Tertiary Divisions.
