Primary school debates
Last year, over 400 primary schools were involved in debates nationwide.
CMAM2021
Read our 2020 annual report
Nothing Kills Like Hunger
Registration for the Concern Debates 2022-2023 Competition is now open.
If you have applied to take part in this year's competition, our Debates Team will be in touch very soon to confirm your place on the programme and provide next steps and training dates.
For more information on how to join our mailing list, please contact debates@concern.net
Here are the several stages of the Concern Debates.
Registration
Registration for the Concern Debates usually begins before schools close for the summer holidays and continues into early September. Please note that completing the registration form does not automatically guarantee a place on the programme. A Concern Debates staff member will be in touch to let you know if your application is successful. Then your Debates journey can begin!
League Phase
Knockout Stage
Quarter Finals
Semi Finals
National Finals
Some of our past debaters talk us through how the Concern Debates gave them valuable life skills, while also offering words of wisdom to current debaters.
New to Debating? Not sure how to structure your speech and gain top marks? Check out the students from Portmarnock Community School below. The full training series can be followed on YouTube or our materials page.
Each video highlights where the students are getting marked and are a good introduction to get acquainted with the marking sheet.
I’ve learned a lot of new skills. Last year, I was stuttering over myself while making an English presentation. Now I can go into a room and speak in front of 100 people and not be nervous at all.