The competition, held simultaneously in Spanish and English, took place at the Liceo Sorolla School on November 15 and 16.
Madrid, November 18, 2024 – This weekend Pozuelo de Alarcón has become the capital of youth debate in Spain. The Liceo Sorolla School has been the epicenter of critical thinking and constructive dialogue on November 15 and 16, with the celebration of the
This tournament, the first of the season of the IX CICAE – UCJC Debate League, stands out for being the largest school debate competition in Europe and the only one held simultaneously in Spanish and English. Eighty teams participated, divided into 52 in Spanish and 28 in English, who competed defending positions for and against, randomly assigned seconds before each debate.
The opening ceremony was attended by journalist Katia Rocha and Senator and Member of the Assembly of Madrid, Enrique Ruiz Escudero, a former student of the host school, as ambassadors of the tournament.
Before the start of each debate, the teams draw lots to decide who will debate for or against, so they must have all positions prepared, with the aim of increasing their knowledge of the topic and their tolerance of all ideas. This premise favors their critical thinking and respect for the diversity of ideas and perspectives that may arise on a controversial and topical issue such as the one that has been the protagonist of the first debate of the tournament.
The teams that defended the regulation of vacation rentals in Spain claimed, among many other arguments, the need to protect local residents and small entrepreneurs in tourist areas, as well as to take care of sustainability and maintain the tourist attractiveness of these areas. Opponents warned mainly of the importance of tourism for the Spanish economy and the jobs it generates, as well as the search for alternative solutions to regulation, and the lack of effectiveness that these regulations have had in other countries.
Finally, the team ‘Gallaecia’, from Los Sauces Vigo school, was proclaimed champion in Spanish, while the team ‘Agatha Christie’, from Manuel Peleteiro School, won in English. The titles for best speakers of the tournament went to Raquel Amerelo (Iacobus), from Manuel Peleteiro School, and Guillermo Carmona (The Diplomatics), from Sek El Castillo.
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.
