WHY DEBATE CLUBS ?
We have held the Debate Club for one year now ( 2016-17 ). We had been so eager to start it and now after one year, we are even more determined than ever to carry on. When I, the coordinator, saw the Mediterranean Schools Debate Academy advertisement posted on our Facebook group by one of our trainers, I could not wait to apply. My commitment to Debate is in close relation to my belief in the importance of Debate and its role in changing mindsets to the better, in promoting peace and social development. To my mind , Debate is and must be the ultimate weapon against discrimination, injustice, oppression, aggressive behavior, intolerance of all types, hatred discourse and extremism that is coming back from the dark ages and threatening our youngsters and invading our world day by day. We, Tunisians and the world, are in dire need for effective strategies to fight against these social ills and Debate is the one.
I firmly believe in the quote “Think globally, act locally”. True we are citizens of Tunisia first and foremost, but ultimately citizens of the world. If the world or somewhere in the world does not go well, Tunisia cannot. Debates help make the space we share a better one . Learning how to listen carefully and respectfully to the opponent and trying to understand him / her is a first step to peace.
In our very society, for example, Debate has brought important positive changes. For instance, without the Civil Society Debate and pressure, the sexual majority age for girls would now be 13! Now it is 16. That’s better, though not perfect. The battle against human abuse and tyranny is to carry on and that is through civic Debate, not with war, oppression, violence or exclusion. Only with Debate men will realize that women need equal rights and opportunities so the world gets a better place for both genders. Debate connects people and so promotes humanity. Giving Debate interest is worrying about human relationships and trying to connect people and so contributing to a better life.
In our humble experience with the Debate Club last year, I, the coordinator, noticed how the members were so pleased and aware of how much they learnt and how much they changed. We gave the experience a big lot of our time and effort, but we were all convinced it was worth it. We, the members including me, read a lot before forming opinions and building arguments. That was very formative.
In our Club, the members did not all know each other and performed against each other in teams, but we all came to make a loving family, kissing before starting each session regardless of gender ( a girl or a boy ) or position ( a teacher or a pupil ).
At the beginning of our club I noticed some boys were reluctant to team up or even be in the same club with a certain girl who took off the veil after wearing it for many years and who was making herself beautiful. But then, they learnt to accept and respect other people’s personal beliefs and decisions; the relationship got normalized, a step forward !
In our Club, one day, a he –pupil, from another school, came and asked to join. The point was that that kind boy had so smooth voice and manners you could never say it was a “he” except from name. When he came in and introduced himself, all the members were looking at each other and secretly laughing. I, myself, felt weird. One good member even started missing sessions to avoid mixing with the new member. I kept calling him and asking him back. By time and Debate effort, the relationship normalized, a challenge overcome !
This is to say Debate improves and normalizes human relationships, even the most controversial of them.
I, as an educator and a YAV coordinator, would like to contribute, no matter how little my contribution, to forming citizens who are responsible and respectful thinkers ( then actors, from act or take action ). Being part of a Debate Club or Academy boosts their analytical, critical thinking and enhances the ethics of Debate.
Despite the busy rich year we spent, we think it’s only the beginning and much more work is needed to go forward
with the experience and make of good-intentioned Debate a habit in our society.
Mrs. Radhia ZRELLI, the coordinato
Socrates Debate Club – KORBA High School – August , 2017
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق