Concern Worldwide would like to invite your school to take part in the Concern Debates 2015-16. Last year, we ran a very successful pilot in Northern Ireland and this year we are now joining up to make it an all-island competition.
The Concern Debates give GCSE and A-Level pupils the skills to put together an argument, deliver a speech, stand up for their point of view and challenge their opponents’ opinions. The debates provide pupils with an insight into the causes and effects of global humanitarian disasters, poverty and hunger and provide them with the opportunity to voice their opinions on how to tackle some of the tough challenges affecting the lives of millions of people in the developing world.
Each school can enter one team of four speakers and at least two substitutes, aged 15-18. All debates will take place between October 2015 and May 2016. Each school will debate a minimum of four times and will participate in two home and two away fixtures.
Once your school registers, Concern will:
- Help you to arrange your fixtures
- Inform you of the motion for each debate and the side of the debate you are on
- Arrange volunteer adjudicators to judge your debates
- Provide support via email and phone for any queries you may have
Participating teams can sign up for a free debates’ training session, during which the Concern debates’ instructors will teach you and your pupils the essential skills to launch a successful debates campaign.
To register your school to compete in the Concern Debates 2015-16, register online at: https://www.concern.net/get-involved/schools/debates/register-your-school-debates.
If you have any questions regarding the debates, please contact our debates team at debatesni@concern.net or call 028 9026 8029.
