From Debate to Participation: Practical Tools for Engaging Youth

Efforts to increase youth participation often focus on structures—youth councils, consultations, school forums—but overlook the inner foundation: the participation mindset. Before young people can contribute meaningfully, they need to see themselves as citizens whose voices matter. This mindset means developing initiative, confidence to speak in front of others, the ability to listen critically, and the courage to defend one’s ideas with respect. Without these skills, even the most well-designed participation mechanisms risk becoming symbolic. Debate offers a simple, structured way to build that profile: it trains youth to think independently, argue constructively, and step into civic dialogue with confidence. For youth workers and NGOs, this means you don’t need a political science background or big resources—just a willingness to try accessible debate formats that spark initiative and transform passive audiences into active participants.
That’s exactly what our upcoming webinar, “From Debate to Participation: Practical Tools for Engaging Youth,” is about. Together with Ioana Covei (ARDOR)—trainer of the Romanian national debate team and an experienced collaborator with NGOs of all sizes—we’ll explore how structured debate can strengthen civic skills, boost self-esteem, and create a culture of participation. Drawing on her experience of tailoring debate methods to different organizational needs, Ioana will share how any NGO can introduce debate into their youth programs effectively. You’ll discover practical energizers, warm-ups, and exercises you can integrate into your activities right away—plus free resources from the SpeakUP Project to support your work long after the session.
Here is the link for the enrollment seminar
https://forms.gle/vwKXnMB2h3oak5Rk9