“We congratulate the winners and runners up in this year’s final, who showed exceptional debating skill, and the hundreds of students from all 140 schools who took part in the 2017-2018 competition,” said Concern’s Head of Active Citizenship, Michael Doorly, who leads the team that organises the annual championship.
Speaking at the final, which was held at The Helix venue in Dublin, Concern Worldwide’s Chief Executive, Dominic MacSorley, insisted Concern Debates “will remain an All-Ireland competition, whatever the Brexit, whatever the border.”
“The debates are a central part of Concern. We are an organisation of activists and change agents,” he added.
As part of their prize, the debating champions; Leah Fellenz, Oscar Toomey, Aisling Burns and Isabel van der Voort will travel this summer to Kenya, one of the 26 countries where Concern Worldwide works to eliminate poverty.
Over 50,000 students have taken part in Concern Debates since it was created 34 years ago by international humanitarian aid organisation Concern Worldwide, which is marking its 50th anniversary this year.
Some of the debates well-known past participants include Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, Health Minister Simon Harris, RTE broadcaster Claire Byrne and TV3 presenter Karen Koster.
Any school that wants to participate in the next Concern Debates competition can email debates@concern.net or phone 01 4177733.
For more information, please contact Kevin Jenkinson at 086 358 2886 or by email: kevin.jenkinson@concern.net