On the eve of the tournament, the first preparatory session was held, which aimed at understanding structured debate. Participants were introduced to the “World School Debate” format, an international model that helps young people develop advanced debating skills. This format was presented as an essential tool for constructing strong arguments and defending their viewpoints in a structured and disciplined manner.
In addition to argumentation skills, structured debate helps in developing a range of other important competencies for young people. These include the ability to think critically and analytically, to listen attentively to opponents’ arguments, and to provide counter-arguments based on facts and logic. Furthermore, structured debate promotes the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, thereby also enhancing public speaking skills.
In the context of schools, implementing structured debate offers a rich environment for fostering active student participation, promoting collaboration among them, and improving their social skills. During this session, we also shared and discussed with the youth the benefits that learning debate in the right formats can bring.
