About Global Debates
Global Debates equips teachers and young people with advanced debate skills, equipping them to build consensus in polarizing times.
Join our efforts to develop critical thinkers and compassionate leaders, fostering communities prepared to shape a just and inclusive futures.
Global Debates was founded by the Aaryan Salman (Founding President of the Global Citizenship Foundation) in 2016 to equip young people with essential communication and critical thinking skills through a transformative debate education experience. We offer carefully curated debate programs and initiatives designed to build self-confidence, collaboration, leadership, and academic achievement—paving the way for higher education and lifelong learning.
Global Debates aims to foster a sound and sustainable culture of debate and dialogue aNd views debate as a vital tool for nurturing civic engagement and social progress. With a focus on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, our programs cultivate well-informed, active citizens ready to meet both local and global challenges.
The Global Debates' Experience is unique, time-tested, and one of the leading sets of programs in debate education, public speaking, and civic-leadership development. The Global Debates' Four-Team Format is unique and acclaimed for developing sound thinking and decision-making skills. Our programs are designed to leverage the power of natural, social, and peer-to-peer learning through a heterogeneous group of learners in two age categories— ages 08-17 and 18-30. Our fun and unforgettable debating and leadership-building experiences promote the development of thriving social-emotional skills needed to thrive as responsible and compassionate leaders and debaters.
As an independent and non-partisan initiative, Global Debates is committed to developing confident communicators, critical thinkers, active global citizens, and well-rounded leaders who are equipped to shape a more just, inclusive, peaceful, secure, and sustainable future for all.
Our Mission
Global Debates is an international social impact initiative dedicated to advancing civic awareness, engagement, and solidarity through debate education. We provide young people and educators worldwide with the tools to address local and global challenges with reason, respect, mindfulness, compassion, and courage, reimagining debate as a space for social-emotional learning, dialogue, and collaborative problem-solving.
What We Offer
Open Access to Our Innovative Debate Format
We developed the Four-Team Debate Format, a globally recognized model that moves beyond binary win/lose debates. It fosters intellectual flexibility, constructive disagreement, and collaboration across perspectives.
Programs for Youth, Educators, and Organizations
We deliver training, workshops, and competitions for children, young people while equipping teachers to integrate debate into classrooms and civic education.
Accessible Resources for Social Impact
We provide open-access materials that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Citizenship Foundation Charter.
Why Global Debates Matter
Democracies today face unprecedented polarization, the spread of misinformation, and widespread civic disengagement. In this context, young people need more than the ability to argue persuasively, they need skills to reason with nuance, listen across differences, and participate in democratic dialogue grounded in evidence, empathy, and respect.
Global Debates equips the next generation to navigate complexity, bridge divides, and take informed, responsible action.
Our programs foster intellectual humility, constructive disagreement, and collaboration by reimagining debate as a tool for civic learning and social-emotional growth.
Our approach deliberately resists rigid binaries, creating a space where diverse perspectives are valued and democratic capacities can flourish.
Global Debates nurtures informed, engaged citizens capable of contributing to stronger democracies, more inclusive communities, and a sustainable world through debate education designed to address the current and emerging challenges facing our societies.
Strategic Priorities
Expand Access to Innovative Debate Education
Make our Four-Team Debate Format and accompanying resources widely available to youth, educators, and organizations worldwide, ensuring inclusive, equitable access to high-quality debate learning.
Strengthen Programs for Youth and Educators
Deliver transformative training, workshops, and competitions that build civic awareness, critical reasoning, and dialogue skills across diverse age groups and learning contexts.
Connect Local Action to Global Challenges
Integrate debates and educational materials with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Citizenship Foundation Charter, inspiring informed, responsible action on issues that matter locally and globally.
Advance Research, Resources, and Best Practices
Further develop open-access curricula, teaching guides, and evidence-based methodologies that support debate as a tool for social-emotional learning, civic engagement, and collaborative problem-solving.
Foster Networks and Partnerships
Collaborate with schools, civic organizations, and global institutions to expand the reach and impact of debate education, building a global community committed to inclusive dialogue and democratic participation.
Get Involved
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Innovation Excellence
We thrive on pushing the boundaries of possibility, embracing a culture of continuous innovation. By fostering an environment that encourages creativity and forward-thinking, we consistently deliver groundbreaking solutions that redefine industry standards.
Customer-Centric Approach
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to understanding their needs, exceeding their expectations, and forging enduring relationships. By placing their satisfaction as our top priority, we ensure that our products and services resonate with true value.
Collaborative Synergy
We believe in the power of collaboration. Our diverse team of experts works cohesively, pooling their unique perspectives to achieve collective success. Through open communication and shared goals, we leverage the strength of our combined talents to achieve remarkable outcomes.
Integrity and Transparency
Honesty and integrity guide our actions. We are committed to transparent communication, ethical practices, and upholding the highest standards of professionalism. By operating with unwavering integrity, we build trust within our team and with our partners, fostering a foundation of long-term credibility.
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