What is Aliante

If you want to learn about the Aliante principles, what it is all about, how it originated, and more, then you are in the right place.

Aliante is a competition for two-member teams of 15 to 19-year-old students. Its purpose is to raise the students’ awareness (knowledge) about history, geography, politics and above all security issues involving the North Atlantic Alliance. Deeper insight in these areas allows students to better understand actual issues and to better notice connections between events. But the unique concept of Aliante also allows them also to explore physical and psychological endurance in challenging conditions, meet people with similar interests from other countries, and perhaps earn an unforgettable winners’ trip.

The first year of Aliante took place only in the Czech Republic in 2001, when more than 1000 students participated. With every subsequent year, the number of involved countries and competitors has grown. In 2008, over 5000 students from 12 countries took a chance and tried to win.

And what does it take to compete? Students need to show their talents in three rounds to fight their way to the winners’ trip. The first round is just “warming-up” – correctly answer 15 of 20 multiple choice test questions. Each question has four options, but only one is correct.

The second round is also about knowledge, but it goes into details and requires comprehensive research and the evaluation of sources. It consists of 35 questions about history, international relations, geography, and the structure and functioning of NATO. Answers to these questions are often quite extensive, but only those who hit the nail on the head and describe the essence can succeed.

Subsequently, the best teams of each country are chosen to participate in the international final. In total, 40 teams will take part. Their nationality is determined by the ratio of the teams from each country that successfully complete the second round.

The final is considerably different from previous rounds. Two national teams are randomly put together to form a four-member squad, in which they compete as one unit in the final. While knowledge is tested in this round, it is focused on physical and psychological endurance, cooperation and the solution of unusual problems. We also have to say that even though it is an international event, the final round is held only in English.

The absolute winners of Aliante are the seven best squads from the final round. 28 students can look forward to a unique winners’ trip to one NATO member country. However, everyone is rewarded in principle – with knowledge gained and unforgettable experiences!