The final tournament of the IX CICAE-UCJC Debate League becomes the epicenter of critical thinking and the most important educational debate in Europe.
This weekend, the Villafranca del Castillo campus of the Camilo José Cela University (UCJC) brought together more than 300 young people in an intense exercise of reflection, argumentation and dialogue. On April 4 and 5, the Final Tournament of the IX CICAE – UCJC Pre-University Debate League, the largest school debate competition in Europe and the only one held simultaneously in Spanish and English, was held.
In this edition, students in the 3rd and 4th years of Secondary School and 1st and 2nd years of Baccalaureate, from 32 schools throughout Spain, debated a question of maximum current affairs and global impact: “Will Donald Trump’s presidency be harmful to the world?
For two days, 75 teams – 41 in Spanish and 34 in English – have debated with positions for or against, randomly assigned minutes before each confrontation. This format forces them to prepare in depth, develop a critical vision and understand different perspectives on the same topic, thus fostering tolerance and respect for diversity of opinions.
The debate has revolved around issues of great political, economic and social relevance: the global leadership of the United States, geopolitical stability, international trade, climate change and human rights, among others.
A commitment to young talent and oratory
The opening ceremony was attended by the Rector of the Camilo José Cela University, Mr. Jaime Olmedo, who stressed the importance of these initiatives in the comprehensive training of students, especially encouraging public speaking and debate to develop critical thinking and respect for the diversity of ideas of young people: “Never give up the desire to debate, it will help you in the future,” he encouraged the participants.
In addition, the journalist and deputy editor of La Razón, Carmen Morodo, ambassador of the final tournament, addressed a few words to the young speakers: “Great ideas are born from the conflict between thoughts. They have never come from the imposition of just one”, she stressed.
Winners and awards
After an exciting final debate, the Winston Churchill team from the SEK Atlántico school was proclaimed champion in the Spanish category, while the Dazed and Confused team from the Colegio Madrid Fundación Santa María won in English.
The awards for best speaker of the tournament went to Daniela Alemany (team Madres de la Revolución, Colegio Arturo Soria) in Spanish, and Guillermo Carmona (team The Claimers, SEK El Castillo) in English. Special mentions were also awarded to Leyre Barrondo (team Los Repitentes, SEK Ciudalcampo) and Marina Cabezas (team Dazed and Confused, Colegio Madrid Fundación Santa María).
Final discussion in Spanish
Final discussion in English
A training project
All participants in the Debate League, students between 3rd ESO and 2nd of Bachillerato, are trained throughout the course by experts in competitive debate and world champions in debate and public speaking, such as Antonio Fabregat and Javier de la Puerta, or the current world champion, Alberto García Chaparro. In addition, webinars are organized during the course to deepen the topics to be discussed and bibliography is provided so that they can advance in their preparation.
The practice of debate among schoolchildren is aimed at developing public speaking skills, teamwork, as well as the search for truthful information, the analysis of evidence or the definition of arguments on the issue to be addressed.
The Debate League promoted by the Association of Private and Independent Schools – CICAE and the Camilo José Cela University, is joined each year by schools that are committed to give prominence to debate in their classrooms, and there are 40 schools throughout Spain that are part of the initiative.
