CMAM2021
Read our 2020 annual report
Registration for the Concern Debates is now open.
Registrations will close at noon Friday September 10th 2021.
Your feedback is very important to us. If you could take 5 minutes to complete this short survey to help inform the 2021/2022 programme we would greatly appreciate it.
For more information on how to join our mailing list, please contact debates@concern.net
The Concern Debates programme is open to senior cycle students and runs from October with the final taking place in May.
The programme will be run online from October 2021.
The Debates team intend to run the the League Phase virtually, while it's hoped that from the Quarter Final stages the debates can once again be held in schools and venues around the country.
The final structure will be announced to schools in August.
Rest assured, a key priority is to capture that live element once again to allow schools to gain experience in the key skills of refutation and rebuttal.
All schools will get the chance to take part in four unique debates and learn about development issues and the work of Concern.
In the 2021/2022 school year the Concern Debates programme will be fully funded by Irish Aid and schools will not be asked to pay a registration fee.
Please contact debates@concern.net if you have questions or need more information
Here are the several stages of the Concern Debates.
Registration
Registration for the Concern Debates usually begins around the summer holidays. By registering, you are not guaranteed a place. A Concern Debates staff member will be in touch to let you know if your application is successful.
League phase
Knockout stage
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
National final
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.
Concern Debate: Our alumni have their say
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.
Concern Debates Training Video (1/5)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.
If you're ready to get involved, please sign up below and a Concern member of staff will be in touch with further information.
