National Schools Debating Championship 2021
Debating Championship
National Schools Debating Championship (NSDC2021)
April 2021
After targeting over 450 trainees in realistic training sessions for the Schools Debates Project, in addition to more than 2000 trainees through remote debate training on the 7essa platform, and the participation of over 145 debaters in local tournaments, along with the graduation of more than 30 judges and organizers of debates in 2021, the Dialogue and Debate Foundation organized the National Championship for School Debates at the Bab Al-Bahr and Radisson Blu hotels in the capital, Tripoli.
After targeting over 450 trainees in realistic training sessions for the Schools Debates Project, in addition to more than 2000 trainees through remote debate training on the 7essa platform, and the participation of over 145 debaters in local tournaments, along with the graduation of more than 30 judges and organizers of debates in 2021, the Dialogue and Debate Foundation organized the National Championship for School Debates at the Bab Al-Bahr and Radisson Blu hotels in the capital, Tripoli.
The National Schools Debating Championship #NSDC2021 came as a grand culmination of months of diligent work on the Schools Debates Project, bringing together youth from all corners of Libya, east, south, north, and west. It provided them with a platform for dialogue, discussion, and building bridges of relationships and trust among themselves, with the aim of establishing a base of elites who believe in peace, and reject violence & extremism.
The National Schools Debating Championship #NSDC2021 came as a grand culmination of months of diligent work on the Schools Debates Project, bringing together youth from all corners of Libya, east, south, north, and west. It provided them with a platform for dialogue, discussion, and building bridges of relationships and trust among themselves, with the aim of establishing a base of elites who believe in peace, and reject violence & extremism.
The championship is considered the largest debating event in Libya and North Africa, as it brought together over 200 young men and women from more than 16 Libyan cities over the course of four days. The participants included:
- 24 teams.
- 72 debaters.
- +50 national adjudicators.
- 3 international adjudicators.
- +50 volunteers.
The championship included the following activities:
- Evaluation and Adjudication Sessions: These sessions targeted selected adjudicators to assess their strengths and weaknesses, enhance their knowledge and skills related to debating, and bridge the gap in judging criteria.
- Organizational Management Sessions: These sessions, organized by the championship’s organizing committee, aimed to inform and train the volunteers who registered to assist with the national championship. They covered the work plan, procedures, and organizational training.
- Opening Ceremony: The official announcement and commencement of the championship took place during the opening ceremony. Distinguished figures, including the Minister of Youth in the Government of National Unity and the President of the General Union of Libyan Students, attended the event.
- Qualifying Rounds: Five qualifying rounds were organized, involving all participating teams in the championship. Teams debated various issues, resulting in a total of 60 debates over two and a half days.
- Youth Dialogue Conference: On the sidelines of the championship, a youth dialogue forum was held, gathering a group of Libyan youth interested in public political affairs. They discussed issues relevant to the youth community’s concerns and their role in the upcoming phase. The Minister of Youth, Mr. Fathi Allah Al-Zeni, attended the conference.
- Elimination Rounds: Sixteen teams qualified for the elimination rounds, where teams competed in knockout matches. The elimination rounds included five debates in the quarterfinals, semifinals, determining the third-place winner, and the final.
- Closing Ceremony: The closing ceremony was held at the Radisson Blu Al Mahary Hotel, with the presence of public figures and holders of sovereign positions in the state. Among the attendees were the Minister of Education, Minister of Youth, Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs, Chairman of the Libyan Post and Telecommunications Holding Company, as well as ambassadors and heads of foreign missions.
NSDC2021 Official Photo
Attendees:
NSDC2021 was the largest debating event in Libya and North Africa, bringing together over 200 young men and women from more than 16 Libyan cities. The opening and closing ceremonies were attended by public figures and officials. The tournament consisted of 24 teams representing high school students from various schools in Libya. In addition to over 50 local judges, three other judges from our sister country Tunisia participated, namely Mr. Alaa Al-Gharbi, Mr. Abdullah Mekhlouf, and Mr. Ahmed Magahid.
The gathering of this elite group, including judges and debaters, played a crucial role in achieving one of the key criteria set by the organization as a measure of the tournament’s success: inclusivity. From the beginning, the organization aimed to include and embrace the largest possible number of cities and cultural backgrounds that form part of the Libyan society in this tournament.
Organizational Management Sessions:
On the day prior to the participants’ arrival, the Dialogue & Debate Association organized preparatory meetings that brought together the teams of volunteers involved in organizing the championship. The preparatory day began with an enthusiastic opening session attended by all participants, the board of directors of the association, the executive director, and the organizing committee chairman. The committee provided an overview of the championship and its goals, and clarified the agenda and general guidelines for the competition. The importance of debates as a tool to enhance students’ linguistic and intellectual skills, promote dialogue, and respect different perspectives was highlighted.
Following the opening session, intensive meetings were held between the leaders of the volunteer teams and their members. During these meetings, organizational responsibilities were assigned, and necessary tasks were defined to ensure the safety and smoothness of the championship. Future debate topics were discussed, and schedules and important deadlines were set.
The meetings were conducted in a cooperative and highly professional spirit, with participants exchanging ideas and experiences, working together to make the championship a success. The importance of coordination and collaboration among the volunteer teams was emphasized to provide an excellent experience for all participants. Various organizational aspects, such as logistical arrangements, venues, and prizes, were discussed during the meetings. A detailed plan was developed to promote the championship and engage with participating schools and the interested public.
A collection of photos from the preparatory meetings of the organizing committee with the leaders of the volunteer teams.
Participants Arrival:
The participants started arriving from the previous day to the first day of the championship. The organization coordinated air travel for debaters and judges from Tobruk, Benghazi, Sabha, and Al-Qatrun through Mitiga International Airport. Additionally, judges from Tunisia, our sister country, also arrived. Their arrivals began early in the morning on Thursday, April 1, 2021 (the day before the first day of the championship). Furthermore, the organization coordinated ground transportation for participants traveling from different cities within Libya, such as Misrata, Kufra, and Jufra. Their arrivals started from Thursday evening until noon on Friday, April 2, 2021 (the first day of the championship).
A collection of photos illustrating the arrival of participants to the National Schools Debating Championship.
Opening Ceremonies:
The opening ceremony serves as the official announcement of the start of the championship. It is the first impression that is imprinted in the minds of participants and guests regarding the National Schools Debating Championship and the broader school debating project.
The opening ceremony took place at the Tripolis Hall in the Bab Al-Bahr Hotel in Tripoli. It was prepared by the organizing committee and a group of volunteers since the early morning hours until 3:00 PM on the first day of the championship. The official registration of participants and guests commenced at 4:00 PM. During this time, official bags provided by the Dialogue & Debate Association were distributed to participants. These bags contained various gifts and necessities such as masks, hand sanitizers, notebooks, pens, and other accessories bearing the logo of the association.
During the reception, cards were also distributed to all participants (debaters, judges, and volunteers). They were instructed to wear these identification cards along with masks at all times during the championship. Additionally, specific protocols were implemented to protect against the coronavirus, such as taking the attendees’ temperature before entering the hall and maintaining distance between seats.
A collection of photos illustrating the atmosphere leading up to the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony was attended by all the participants of the championship, as well as several prominent figures. Among them were Mr. Fathi Al-Abdellatif Al-Zeni, the Minister of Youth in the Government of National Unity, Mr. Mohammed Al-Qablawi, the President of the General Union of Libyan Students, representatives from Droob Libya Company and Al-Jeed Company, Mr. Abdul Karim Abushofa, and Ms. Nadera Aoun, the Youth Programs Officer at the National Democratic Institute, in addition to other public figures.
The ceremony began with recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the Libyan national anthem. Then, Mr. Emad Shanab, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dialogue & Debate Association, delivered a speech. In his speech, he highlighted the importance of the role of youth in building peace, leading development, and politics. He also mentioned the significant sacrifices made by the youth in the past ten years to bring Libya to safety, describing these sacrifices as the ladder that has paved the way for the current situation. He emphasized that these sacrifices place great responsibilities on all of us towards Libya and its people.
Afterward, a visual presentation was displayed showcasing a photo report on the School Debating Project. The report summarized the most important activities that took place within the project and the cities that were targeted.
The word then went to Mr. Mohammed Abu Snaina, the Executive Director of the Dialogue & Debate Association, who spoke about the vision of the School Debating Project and the aspirations that the association seeks to achieve in the coming years in the field of debating in general, and specifically within the school category. He also highlighted the accomplishments of this edition of the project and emphasized that future editions will have a wider impact and greater outreach and expansion.
Mohammed Abu Snaina's speech, DDA's CEO and the head of the OC.
According to his description, the Association will work towards establishing a debating club in every school across villages, oases, and cities in Libya. Mr. Abusinina expressed his gratitude and thanks to the National Democratic Institute, the official partner of the Dialogue & Debate Association in the School Debating Project, as well as the sponsors of this national championship, without whom the event would not have been possible. He added, “This project is the result of the tremendous work of a team of professionals who tirelessly dedicated themselves day and night, believing in the goal and striving to deliver the message of this art.”
The word was then passed to Mr. Fathi Al-Abdellatif Al-Zeni, the Minister of Youth, who commended the work of the Association through the School Debating Project and the important role it plays in youth development and empowering them to play a more effective role in society. He stated his full support, through the Ministry of Youth, for the School Debating Project and the initiatives stemming from it, such as the Youth Dialogue Forum, which is planned to be officially launched during the third day of the championship.
Speech by Mr. Fathi Al-Abdellatif Al-Zeni, Minister of Youth:
Following that speech, and upon the invitation of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association, Mr. Fathi Al-Abdellatif Al-Zeni, the Minister of Youth, made the official announcement marking the commencement of the championship.
The opening ceremony was broadcasted live on Libyan television through the Salam TV channel
A collection of photos illustrating the atmosphere of the opening ceremony.
IT Solution
The championship was organized according to international standards in the management and organization of competitive tournaments. The judges were selected based on the efficiency criteria adopted by the Dialogue & Debate Association in choosing Adjudicators, which are regularly developed according to the curricula developed by the association in this field.
A total of 52 judges were selected and accepted to participate in this championship after undergoing a high-quality performance assessment and capabilities test. They were chosen from over 90 applications submitted through the Adjudicator registration form, which was published on the championship’s website and its social media platforms.
A detailed organizational regulation was published more than a month before the start of the championship on the official championship website, prior to the official announcement of the registration opening for participation. This regulation outlined the technical and logistical details of the championship and explicitly stated the responsibilities and duties of the participants, judges, as well as the responsibilities and duties of the Dialogue & Debate Association towards them.
The activities of the championship spanned four consecutive days, during which 76 debates were organized on 10 diverse topics encompassing politics, economics, social issues, and education. Participants presented their arguments, expressed their positions, and showcased their skills and abilities.
The championship included five qualifying rounds in which all teams participated. During these rounds, 60 debates were organized over two and a half days. This was followed by the elimination rounds, totaling five rounds, in which 16 teams out of the initial 24 qualified. The elimination process began immediately by eliminating the losing teams.
One of the most distinctive strengths of this championship considered a significant achievement in the field of tournament organization and management by the Dialogue & Debate Association, is the “Automated Tournament Management and Judging System.” This web application was designed and developed by the technical team of the Dialogue & Debate Association and consists of several main components that form the integrated system for automated tournament management and judging.
- Registration: This system starts from the foundations, where the registration process for teams, Adjudicators, and volunteers is done through the official portal of the tournament dda.ly.
- Adjudicators Management and Organization: This part is responsible for managing the Adjudicators present in each round. It divides them into balanced committees based on the classification of each Adjudicator.
- Tournament Rounds Formation and Management: The main function of this part is to form the rounds by distributing the teams based on the established criteria for each round. This distribution relies on the recorded results of each team in the previous tournament rounds. Additionally, it determines the debate hall and its respective judging committee, as mentioned earlier.
- Results Management System: This system is divided into two important parts: the results input interface, which is a special interface for the heads of judging committees. They can monitor and enter the debate results by filling in the speakers’ scores, and provide a justification for the win/loss from the perspective of the judging committee. The second part is the result calculation, where the system automatically calculates the result of each debate, determines the best speakers and the winning team, and identifies the teams qualified for the upcoming rounds based on the recorded results history of each team.
- Adjudicators Evaluation System: This system is divided into two main parts. First, there is the Adjudicators’ evaluation interface, where members of each judging committee assess each other’s performance according to specific criteria. Based on these evaluations, the system, in the second part, adjusts the evaluation score of each Adjudicator in the system. This score affects their eligibility to lead a judging committee and their selection as a member of the judging committee in the advanced elimination rounds.
- Round Details Announcement Interface: This is an open interface for the public, allowing debaters and Adjudicators to access the division of teams and halls for each round. It also provides the text of the case for each round and the position of each team, whether in favor or opposition.
This step is a significant accomplishment for the Dialogue & Debate Association, ensuring the organization of debates and tournaments in a professional manner with fewer errors. The process of reviewing and calculating results, as well as managing and distributing members of the adjudication panels, is a heavy burden and poses a significant challenge when done manually. It requires a considerable amount of time and effort to take all criteria into account. Leveraging the capabilities provided by technology is a smart step in the right direction, by designing a system specifically owned by the association that can be continuously developed and built upon.
A group of photos illustrating the technical solution of the tournament.
Qualifying rounds:
The first round started at 7:30 PM on Friday, April 2nd (the first day of the championship). The debaters gathered in the “Tripolis” hall at the hotel. Prior to the start of the round, the technical regulations of the championship were announced by the Chairman of the Preparatory Committee and the Project Manager of the Schools Debating, Mr. Mohamed Abusinina. Then, Mr. Mohamed Al-Ansari, the Chairman of the Senior Adjudicators Committee from Sabha city, took charge of the session. He provided the debaters with some instructions, announced the start of the session, and introduced the debate motion.
A total of 12 debates took place in separate halls at the Bab Al-Bahr Hotel, the venue of the championship. The first round addressed the topic of granting exclusive rights to promote prohibited substances in the country. Around 42 adjudicators participated in the judging of this round. This round concluded the first day of the championship.
The second day started at 9:30 AM, beginning with instructional guidance to enhance the participants’ skills. Following that, the second round of the championship commenced at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 3rd (the second day of the championship). A total of 12 debates took place in separate halls at the Bab Al-Bahr Hotel, the venue of the championship. The topic for the second round was the evaluation of teachers by students. Around 47 adjudicators participated in judging this round.
The third round began at 3:00 PM on the same day. It addressed the issue of criminalizing the phenomenon of begging in the streets. As for the fourth round, which also took place on the same day, it focused on an ethical issue revolving around the belief that pursuing personal interests takes precedence over adhering to laws. This round marked the end of the second day.
The fifth and final round of the qualifying rounds came at the beginning of the third day and dealt with the issue of preventing the import of goods that have a local counterpart.
A collection of photos illustrating the atmosphere of the qualifying roundsز
Youth Dialogue Forum:
On the sidelines of the championship, a Youth Dialogue Forum was organized, bringing together a group of Libyan youth interested in public political affairs. They were invited to attend the first forum by the Dialogue & Debate Association, where they discussed issues relevant to the youth community, particularly focusing on the political participation of young people and their role in the upcoming phase. The forum was inaugurated by the Minister of Youth, Mr. Fathallah Al-Zini.
During the discussions, participants addressed the practical challenges that hindered the youth from playing a central role in this stage. They came up with several recommendations aimed at supporting the youth and overcoming obstacles, enabling them to reach influential positions where their impact could be broader and their role more significant.
A collection of photos – Youth Dialogue Forum.
Elimination Rounds:
In an atmosphere filled with enthusiasm and excitement, amidst loud applause and great interaction from the debaters, the Senior Adjudicators Committee announced the names of the sixteen qualified teams for the elimination rounds during the session dedicated to result announcements. The session commenced at 3:00 PM on the third day in the “Tripolis” hall.
The elimination rounds are considered crucial debates, where the winning team directly advances to the next league, while the losing team is eliminated from the championship. This makes the elimination rounds more thrilling than the qualifying rounds. The elimination rounds consisted of three rounds: the Round of 16, the Quarterfinals, and the Semifinals. Three issues were discussed during these rounds.
The Round of 16 addressed the issue of prioritizing treatment for critical cases with a higher life expectancy. The Quarterfinals tackled the topic of dialogue with extremist groups. As for the Semifinals, the debate focused on the topic of the duty of the Libyan state today to apologize for the crimes of the previous regime against other countries (such as supporting the Irish Republican Army, the Lockerbie incident, and the Berlin bombing).
The issue of determining the third and fourth place revolved around whether the fourth branch of government has become more powerful than the other three branches. The final round addressed the topic of extending the term of the Government of National Unity.
A collection of photos illustrating the atmosphere of the elimination rounds.
Closing Ceremonies:
The closing ceremony served as a crowning moment for the success of the grand event and the tremendous effort put into organizing the championship over the four days. The ceremony took place at the Radisson Blu Al Mahary Hotel, in the presence of several public figures and holders of sovereign positions in the state. Among them was Mr. Musa Mohammed Al-Maqarif, the Minister of Education and Higher Education in the Government of National Unity, who expressed his full admiration for the School Debating Project and his ministry’s readiness to provide support for future editions of the project, aiming to reach a larger number of students. Mr. Fathallah Abdul Latif Al-Zini, the Minister of Youth, also attended the ceremony, renewing his support for such activities and his sponsorship of the event.
Furthermore, Mr. Walid Ammar, the Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs, emphasized the importance of such events in shaping the future of youth and activating their role in the upcoming phase through his speech delivered on the ceremony stage.
Photos showing the atmosphere before the closing ceremony
The ceremony was also attended by Mr. Antonio Gerardo, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme, who attended the event as a representative of the United Nations, appointed by the Special Representative. Dr. Mustafa Al-Mana’i, the Advisor to the President of the Central Bank of Libya and a member of the Board of Directors of the External Libyan Bank, was also present. Ms. Radina Al-Filani, the Advisor to the President of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Unity, and Ms. Najwa Ohayba, the Official Spokesperson for the Presidential Council, attended as well. Dr. Faisal Gargab, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Libyan Post, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Holding Company, was among the attendees.
In addition, Mr. Murad Masoud Makhloof, the Mayor of Capau Municipality, and Mr. Mohammed Ismail, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Services Company, were present. From the National Democratic Institute, Mr. Qadri Qarawi, the Project Manager at the National Democratic Institute, attended, along with several employees from the institute.
During this ceremony, the official announcement of the launch of the Youth Dialogue Forum was made through a speech by Mr. Emad Shanab, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Dialogue & Debate Association. Additionally, a number of awards were presented by the association to encourage active youth in society who had played an important role in the past years. The top 10 speakers in the championship were also honored, as well as the teams that achieved the top four rankings. The winners received valuable prizes provided by Mr. Faisal Gargab, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Libyan Post, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Holding Company, and Mr. Fathallah Abdul Latif Al-Zini, the Minister of Youth in the Government of National Unity. These prizes included tablets, personal computers, 4G internet devices, and other gifts, along with substantial monetary rewards presented to the winning teams. The closing ceremony was broadcast live on the Sallam TV channel.
Photos showing the atmosphere of the closing ceremony
