event
Jul 08, 2025
IDEA Presents Research on Debate’s Educational Impact at ICDD 2025
news
Jun 02, 2025
IDEA joined the 2nd International Conference on Debate and Dialogue in Doha to share insights on debate's role in youth education and global cooperation.
The 2nd International Conference on Debate and Dialogue took place in Doha, Qatar, from 19 to 21 May 2025, under the theme “Rethinking Debate and Dialogue for Future Generations.” Organized by QatarDebate, the event brought together academics, youth work practitioners, educators, policy professionals, and representatives of international institutions from more than 30 countries. The conference provided a platform for exploring the current and future role of debate and dialogue in education, diplomacy, civic engagement, and media, with an emphasis on addressing the needs of younger generations.
Held over two days, the conference featured plenary sessions, workshops, and panel discussions focused on integrating dialogue-based methodologies into formal and non-formal educational systems. Key topics included the ethical use of artificial intelligence, intergenerational dialogue, impact of debate and dialogue education, and use of debate in Islamic world. The event aimed to consolidate international collaboration around debate and dialogue as tools for addressing complex social issues and strengthening democratic cultures.
Bojan Marjanović, Executive Director of the IDEA, participated in the conference as a speaker. In his contribution, he presented findings from IDEA’s ongoing work in evaluating the impact of debate as a method in youth work and non-formal education. His presentation focused on the educational effects of debate on young people’s skill development, including gains in critical thinking, public speaking, information literacy, and resilience to manipulation.
Marjanović outlined the organization’s approach to evidence-based evaluation, which combines participant surveys, facilitator reports, and longitudinal qualitative interviews from IDEA members ongoing debate programs and from IDEAs project Empowering Youth Work for the Green Debate. He emphasized that debate is particularly effective when applied consistently through youth programs that promote inclusion and participation. As a challenge fro further spread of debate our evaluaiton highlighted labour intesive educational methods that are connected to successfull skill deevelopement, highliting need for educaiton of educators and provision of sufficient time resources for debate based school and youth work.
IDEA’s participation in the conference contributed to an international dialogue on how debate can be used beyond competitive formats to foster more inclusive, reflective, and participatory approaches in education and youth work. The event concluded with a call to expand cooperation between organizations working on debate and dialogue, and to continue developing tools that make these methods more accessible and impactful in diverse contexts.
We are also using this opportunity to thank QatarDebate and Qatar Foundation, who serve as essential conveners and supporters of international dialogue on the educational and social value of debate. Their ongoing investment in building spaces for exchange and collaboration continues to strengthen the global debate community and contributes meaningfully to the development of youth-focused, dialogue-based education across regions. Their work and their impact are a testament to what a successful and sustained focus on education can achieve.
One-time donation
IDEA supports young people in becoming critical thinkers and active citizens.
You can help.
Upcoming Events
View all