Agree to Disagree: Strengthening Debate Skills

The project will apply debate methodology to support the development of civic participation skills in secondary school students. Around 60 pupils will take part in the pilot programme and 12 teachers will be trained to apply debate-based methods in the classroom. Eight staff members from Redd Barna and IDEA will be trained, contributing to organisational capacity-building and longer-term cooperation. The materials developed will be designed for accessibility and inclusion, ensuring that pupils with diverse learning needs can participate. The project is expected to contribute to better use of debate as a tool for structured discussion in schools and to support participation in democratic processes in a clear and practical way.

• Exchange of knowledge and training in Utrecht: Four-day visit where Redd Barna staff will learn about IDEA’s debate methodologies.

• Field trip in Oslo: IDEA staff will learn from Redd Barna’s democracy project Honestly!, including observation of school activities.

• Focus groups in Norwegian schools: Teachers and students will provide feedback on debate practices to inform adaptation of materials.

• Teacher training and classroom implementation: Training for teachers followed by classroom use of the new methods.

• Final adaptation and dissemination: Development of final materials, webinars, and dissemination to educators and youth organisations.

a) A pilot programme tested in three schools, with evaluation and refinement.

b) Training toolkit and teaching resources for teachers.

c) Digital materials, including case studies and exercises, available online.

d) Webinars and dissemination events for educators and youth organisations.