If you're not in you can't win!

Update: registration for the debates has now closed.  

 Evanna and I have been busy over the summer preparing for the Concern Debates. So if you have the gift of the gab, can argue with your own shadow or just love being right, then gather your friends together and ask your teacher to register a team for the Concern Debates. 

Topics for debate

Last year, I really enjoyed travelling around seeing students across the country arguing topics such as “The Bebo generation cares little for the developing world” and “The UN belongs on the ‘ash heap’ of history” during the league phase. I was really impressed during the knockout phase at how debaters got to grips with motions like “Ethical consumption is having a significant impact on the developing world”. You can have your say about issues like these by joining your school debates team. Don’t be put off by these topics, if you don’t know much about them at this stage. We support teams with research links and we’re always available by email or on the phone to answer any questions you may have. You don’t have to be a debater to join in; you can also be a part of the “background team”. Behind every good debates team is a team of researchers, subs and supporters.

Champions

Students from 150 schools participated in the debates last year. Athlone Community College were crowned champions at the National Final, and were awarded with a trip to Haiti in June. Sign up today and it could be your debates team that travels to a destination unknown next summer to see Concern’s work overseas.

School visits

Don’t forget Gráinne will be travelling the highroads and byroads of the country supporting and encouraging whole schools to become involved in the Concern Debates. If you would like her to visit your school just email us at debates@concern.net

I hope you sign up and I look forward to working with teachers and students alike throughout the school year!

To read more about the Concern debates click here.