Montessori Palau won in Spanish and Yago School in English in an edition that brought together middle school and high school students to tackle an extremely demanding geopolitical challenge
Madrid, March 23, 2026.— The CICAE-UCJC Debate League held its grand finale, putting the finishing touch on a decade-long journey that has established it as Europe’s largest school debate competition. This historic edition brought together nearly 300 students from more than 30 schools across Spain and solidified the impact of a unique educational project offered in a bilingual format.
In the Spanish language category, Montessori Palau School (Girona) took first place, and Sauces Torrelodones School took second place, while in English, the Yago School (Seville) was crowned champion and San Patricio International School took second place
An extremely challenging intellectual challenge for middle school and high school students
The participants—students ranging from 3rd year of ESO to 2nd year of Bachillerato—faced a particularly complex challenge: debating a highly topical international geopolitical issue.
The question posed—which focused on the role of the international community in the face of humanitarian crises and human rights violations—required students to conduct in-depth research, gather documentation, and analyze evidence, while handling complex information and constructing solid arguments.
In addition, the tournament format—which randomly assigns “for” or “against” positions before each debate—has presented an added challenge: defending diverse positions with rigor, competence, and adaptability, even on particularly sensitive and difficult topics.
Ten Years of Fostering Critical Thinking
This grand finale was not just a competition, but the culmination of a decade of educational work. Over the past ten years, the CICAE-UCJC Debate League has established itself as a European leader in developing skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, and argumentation.
This year’s event also included a heartfelt tribute to the teachers who have driven the project forward since its inception, recognizing their key role in preparing the students.
Recognition of Individual Talent
The tournament also recognized excellence in communication with awards for best speaker:
- Pablo García, from SEK Ciudalcampo School
- Jagoda Rafal, from SEK Catalunya School (English program)
A Communication Expert’s Perspective
The final was attended by Antena 3 journalist Rocío Martínez, who highlighted the caliber and scope of the project:
“It’s exciting to see the caliber of these students. Their analytical skills, confidence in expressing themselves, and respect in dialogue are admirable. Initiatives like this don’t just educate students—they shape citizens who are prepared for the future.”
Much more than just a competition
Throughout the course, students receive specialized training from experts in debate and public speaking, making the league a true school of communication, critical thinking, and leadership.
Today, after ten years, the CICAE-UCJC Debate League is not only celebrating a final—it is celebrating a decade of building the largest school debate community in Europe.
