The Online Euro-Med Debate Competition took place from 26 to 30 August 2019, in the framework of the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange project. It was the first competition of its kind, connecting young people virtually to debate online.

40 teams from over 12 countries of the Euro-Mediterranean region took part. The competition was aimed at increasing intercultural awareness and promoting dialogue exchange between Europe and the Southern Mediterranean. Each team was formed by approximately 7 team members (1 Team Leader, 4 debaters and 2 observers) therefore, around 280 young people participated in at least one of the 38 online debates that were organised.

Debate discussions were framed around current social challenges and world events, chosen by the participants themselves, such as: the Arab Spring, democratic rights, education, climate change, immigration, power dynamics, amongst other topics.

The final debate took place on 30 August 2019 at 10.00 CEST.  Wining teams from Egypt and Lebanon discussed about the importance of freedon of speech. Debaters presented their evidence and arguments for and against the motion: "It is sometimes right for governments to restrict freedom of speech". 

After a competitive and intense final round, the Lebanese team (Beirut 1 - Nahia) earned a well deserved victory. 

The initiative was organised by the Anna Lindh Foundation and its German Head of Network (The Centre for Cultural and General Studies - ZAK). The Foundation is member of the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange consortium composed by: Search for Common Ground, UNIMED, Sharing Perspectives Foundation, Soliya, UNICollaboration, Kiron Open Higher Education, and Migration Matters.

Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange is part of the Erasmus+ programme, providing an accessible, ground-breaking way for young people to engage in intercultural learning.

Debater's testimonials: 

Motion: THW create an economic union in the Mediterranean region

- Intissar, Algeria (Team Laghouat 2-Ayoub):"We are not all from the same region. Some of us are 700 km away, but we managed to work together on the Virtual Exchange Platform. It was super fun. We didn’t feel tired and we were learning".

- Hiba, Algeria (Team Algiers 1-Hiba): "The motion is very relevant to my community. We have the Hirak movement in Algeria, and we want things to get better. We need to find solutions. We have the African Union, but we need to think outside the box and fight for a Mediterranean Union".

- Ayoub, Algeria (Team Laghouat 2-Ayoub-): "When you’re debating with someone from another region you will hear different points of views, depending on the culture and background. That's something you need to accept".

Motion: THW create an economic union in the Mediterranean region

- Sarah, Palestine (Team Gaza 2 - Zainab): "I live in Gaza and we have political problems here, it was hard to talk about an economic topic. However, this experience encouraged me to search for the truth and build an effective dialogue".

Motion: THW create an economic union in the Mediterranean region

- Nacer, Morocco (Team Rabat 2 - Nacer): "This is an important opportunity to meet people from other countries and think about the problems we are facing in our countries".

Motion: THBT a university degree is essential for getting a good job

- Aly, Egypt (Team Cairo1 - Aly): "Online debates are great. In Egypt and in the Southern Mediterranean region in general, we can’t travel and obtain a VISA easily. It’s good to have the opportunity to exchange online and find an alternative way to connect with each other".

Motion: THBT developed countries have a higher obligation to combat climate change than developing countries 

- Safae, Algeria (Team Laghouat 2 - Ayoub) "Debating is very important because it enhances public speaking, allows us to meet new colleagues and share ideas with people with different backgrounds. Virtual debating makes it easier to get to know to people we may not be able to meet in real life."

- Nahia, Lebanon (Team Beirut 1 - Nahia): "As a team leader, I’m more stressed, as I’m in charge of preparing the speakers and providing feedback to enhance their performance. Concerning the motion, not all nations have equal and advanced means to combat global warming. Fortunate nations have higher duties because of their political or economic power."

- Ayoub, Algeria (Team Laghouat 2 - Ayoub): "Debating is very important because it's like policymaking. Whenever I’m sitting in a restaurant with my friends and we discuss about a topic, I feel like we would need to come up with a policy concerning that topic."

Motion: THBT the Arab Spring is an unachieved ideal

- Nahia, Lebanon (Team Beirut 1 - Nahia): "The Arab Spring did not establish democracy, deteriorated people's mental health and caused immense damage in infrastructure".

- Hassan, Lebanon (Team Beirut 2 - Hassan): "Calling the Arab spring an achieved ideal is unfair as it takes a long time for a revolution to succeed and it requires sacrifices. This can be proved historically. Some uprisings have succeeded in overthrowing dictatorships like Egypt and Libya. The outcomes are to be evaluated in the long term, not the short term".

Motion: THBT it is sometimes right for governments to restrict freedom of speech

- Aly, Egypt (Team Cairo1 - Aly): "A final debate is like a final of a football championship. You have to find the best tactics to win."

- Batoul, Lebanon (Team Beirut1 - Nahia): "We have developed many skills during this competition; structuring a speech, time management, teamwork and delivery of speeches. It was amazing". 

-  Nahia, Lebanon (Team Beirut 1 - Nahia): "I can’t find words to express how great the experience was. I am happy we won the first online debate competition. It required a lot of work and preparation. Thanks to the commitment of my teammates".

 

Interested in participating on an online debate? or Do you want to become a debate Team Leader? Register no!