Participant in the Debate Team Leader Training and Debate Exchanges
Jakub had little experience in debating when he got convinced by friends to join the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange Debate Exchange Programme. He participated in the Debate Team Leaders Training, and subsequently attended two online debates, around the themes of freedom of speech and the applicability of the Western democratic model to Arab contexts.
“The model adopted for the online debates, I think is the best part of the exchange. Unlike the competitive debates it creates a friendly atmosphere and encourages cooperation. Normally, I am easily stressed yet during the online debates I never felt anxious. Each debate is unique. People coming from different countries and different cultures have always in store some surprising arguments. Something that will come as unexpected, also the research sessions with a partner, teach you to treat people like individuals.
Not only I would recommend everyone to join the Debate Exchanges, but I would make them mandatory for every high school and university student. In the digital era, almost everyone has access to the internet. The potential of how such exchanges can change person’s life is tremendous.”