Debate materials

Contact debates@concern.net to ask the Concern Debates team any questions you may have or to find out more about our training sessions.

In February 2023 the top 18 schools progress to the Knockout stages of the Concern Debates Programme.

The motion is: Nuclear power is essential for a clean energy future

Please see below for a breakdown of the motion and how to get started.

There's no Trello board update for this motion. Please note that this round take place on the week beginning Feb 27 and will be online. The turnaround is tight so we ask that schools please stick to their dates and complete their debate by March 1.

In February 2023 the top 32 schools progressed to Knockout Round 2 of the Concern Debates Programme.

The motion is: ‘Groups like Just Stop Oil should follow Extinction Rebellion’s lead and give up on disruptive action’

Please see below for a breakdown of the motion and how to get started.

Our Trello board here has research links to get you started!

In January 2023 the top 64 schools progress to the Knockout stages of the Concern Debates Programme.

The motion is: The SDGs are a waste of time

Please see below for a breakdown of the motion and how to get started.

Our Trello board here has research links to get you started! Please note that this round take place on the week beginning January 16th and will be online. The turnaround is tight so we ask that schools please stick to their dates.

Our motions have just been announced for the 2022-23 Concern Debates Programme! We will have links and new podcasts to support each motion before the Concern Debates programme kicks off in October. Watch this space!

• GMOs are necessary in the fight to end world hunger
• Climate activists must give up eating meat
• HIV and AIDS in the global south is the ‘forgotten pandemic'

Check out our handy research links on our Trello Board to get your debates team started! https://trello.com/b/R0OVemw4/concern-debates

Just signed up for the Concern Debates but not sure where to begin? Watch our training video below which takes you step by step through the process.

Former teacher and current adjudicator Linda Golden shares some of her tips for teachers on approaching the Concern Debates programme.

Check out our range of Concern Debates resources below where you will find information on how to structure a speech, what adjudicators are looking for, the roles of timekeeper and chairperson and what’s involved with refutation and rebuttal.

You will also find information on how to access the online debates platform - where you upload your recorded debates during the league phase.

We would strongly encourage teachers to read all the material below as it will greatly help the chances of your team progressing in the programme.

Just joined the Concern Debates team and not sure what to expect? Check out our final from 2022!

You can also check out this student training session from 2022...

Check out our range of Concern Debates resources below where you will find information on how to structure a speech, what adjudicators are looking for and some tips to help you and your team mates prepare!

We would strongly encourage students to read all the material below as it will greatly help the chances of your team progressing in the programme.

Listen to our new podcast 'Debating Development'. The series aims to support teachers, student and adjudicators involved with the Concern Debates programme. Concern staff and former debaters are on hand to discuss top tips for succeeding in the competition and analysing some of the motions to give your team a head start!