Speaking together through community debates

In June, educators and community debate club leaders from several countries came to Warsaw for a Speak Together training. A few months have passed since then, and clubs are now running.

The participants went back to their schools and communities and started debate clubs. They are holding sessions, using debate in their lessons, and working with activity plans that the project developed. These plans connect debate methodology with language support and intercultural education. The idea is that a debate club can be more than a place to practice arguing. It can be a place where young people from different backgrounds feel that they belong.

For Ukrainian youth who are living in a new country, this matters. Having a regular space to discuss real topics, practice speaking, and meet others in a similar situation is not a small thing.

The Warsaw training also prepared educators to support others, not just run their own clubs. They are now mentors for educators in their regions who are starting similar work. The project is building a network this way, slowly and through people who are already doing the work on the ground.

Speak Together: Building the Bridges of Understanding was designed with this in mind. The belief is simple: young people can participate meaningfully in public life when they have the right support. Where they come from should not change that.

Please reach out if you are interested in joining the community of educaotrs, youth workers and volunteers wokring with young people on integration through debate methodology!