Open Debate Club

On Tuesday evening, October 6, as always, we’re playing debates!

Our meetings usually bring together up to 20 people, while our private community has already grown to around 80 members. So expect an evening in a big, lively, and welcoming group.

This Tuesday, we’ll be using the British Parliamentary debate format: you receive the motion, get 15 minutes to prepare, and then it’s time to begin — each participant speaks for 6 minutes. It’s an incredible mental workout.

Sounds difficult? No problem. We support and teach beginners — we were beginners ourselves not too long ago.

Debating isn’t about manipulation or clever rhetorical tricks.

First and foremost, we practice how to:

• Build strong arguments.
• Identify cause-and-effect relationships.
• Compare scale and significance.
• Look at an issue from different perspectives.
• Express our thoughts clearly.

Debates also offer some less obvious opportunities:

• To think independently amid a constant flow of old and new worldviews.
• To separate your opinions from your identity and avoid arguing emotionally.
• To recognize and resist manipulation.
• To move beyond dogmatic thinking.
• And finally, to give yourself permission to be wrong — and even a little cringe — in public.

This is more than just a game. These are practical skills for both your career and everyday life.

Come and give it a try!

Our coaches have extensive experience in competitive debating and have participated in — and won — tournaments. You’ll be in good hands.