Global Debates has intentionally designed this program to bring together a diverse age range of participants to foster social and natural learning, collaboration, and peer-to-peer influence. Mixed-age groups create rich opportunities for younger participants to learn from older peers, while older participants develop leadership, mentoring, and communication skills. This dynamic environment mirrors real-world interactions and encourages inclusive dialogue, empathy, and adaptive thinking—core competencies in debate and global citizenship.

Our online program is designed to retain the core principles of debate education—natural learning, peer engagement, and cooperative thinking—while leveraging the unique strengths of virtual platforms. Through a balanced mix of synchronous and asynchronous activities, interactive tools, and collaborative exercises, learners actively engage in meaningful dialogue and reflection. The program prioritizes flexibility, participation by choice, and thoughtful facilitation to create an immersive, learner-centered experience comparable to our in-person offerings.

Global Debates runs a five-day intensive summer camp for young people (ages 12–17 years and 18-30 years). The camp delivers an immersive debate and leadership experience, where participants dive into warm-up sessions that leverage natural learning and form the background for hands-on debate training that focuses on sharpening strategic thinking and argumentation skills. Over the week, participants build confidence, clear thinking, communication, and leadership skills, essentially learning to think with clarity, speak with impact, and lead with confidence.

No prior debate experience is required. The first days cover argumentation basics and core essentials, while later days offer an opportunity to fine-tune argumentation skills. The last day of the camp provides an opportunity to showcase their learning.

Global Debates programs go beyond traditional competition preparation to focus on a more holistic experience. Unlike many programs that train participants mainly for competitions, Global Debates treats debate as an “intellectual sport”, combining rigorous skill-building with fun teamwork and real-world challenges.

We employ a progressive pedagogy based on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and natural/social learning, so participants learn without the effort of learning or learning fatigue. Our activities leverage social learning and cooperative exercises so that children aren’t “forced to learn or to respond” in a stressful way. This approach unleashes each student’s natural curiosity and builds not just debating skills but also broad competencies that apply well beyond competitions (such as communication, leadership, collaboration, and creative thinking). In short, Global Debates focuses on developing confident critical-thinkers and global citizens beyond the narrow scope of preparing for professional competitions.

Global Debates’ summer camp follows a ‘Learn → Reflect → Apply → Showcase’ approach adapted from our flagship Young Leaders’ Program.

Each day is structured with a clear purpose:

Days 1–2: Interactive icebreakers and mini-debates teach the basics of argumentation and rhetoric. Participants practice building clear arguments, using effective body language, and giving and receiving feedback in supportive groups.

Days 3–4: Participants tackle stimulating global topics in small teams. They learn debate strategies and analyze challenges from a 360° perspective, collaborating on research and strategy exercises.

Day 5: The week culminates in team debate “games” and a showcase event. Participants apply their new skills in friendly debates before an audience of peers and parents.

Throughout the camp, participants engage in active social and natural learning. They work in mixed-age teams (typically 12–17 years old) so older participants mentor younger ones, and everyone learns through doing and collaborating. By the end of the week, participants have not only practiced public speaking and critical analysis but also confidence and leadership, having supported each other through each activity.

Global Debates are format agnostic and help participants with strong argumentation skills that are suitable for any formal and non-formal debate experience. Participants walk away with strong socio-emotional learning and 21st-century skills. In practice, this means participants improve their ability to structure arguments, speak persuasively, listen empathetically, and think flexibly. By engaging in diverse perspectives and working in teams, they grow their thinking skills, socio-emotional skills, respectful dialogue, and adaptability. All skills are useful beyond debate competitions.

Upon completion, participants earn a Blockchain-enabled Certificate of Program Completion co-issued with the Global Citizenship Foundation. (To qualify, participants must meet criteria such as 90% attendance and participation in all showcase events and activities.) This certificate recognizes that the student has successfully built new debate and leadership skills through the program.

Global Debates’ founder, Aaryan Salman, who has years of youth debate coaching experience, serves as a lead facilitator. All supporting team members are trained in the Global Debates pedagogy (UDL, social learning, four-team format) to ensure a safe, engaging environment. Participants are guided through each activity, encouraged to question, and are provided with personalized feedback. And core learning happens through teamwork and practice rather than just cognitive-heavy lectures.

Please see the Global Debates Calendar Page for exact locations, dates, application links, and other key information. All summer camps take place at designated venues for the camp respectively.

Global Debates offers five-day sessions running between Monday-Friday and includes about 210 minutes of activity per day (including breaks). Please note, the camp is primarily conducted in English.

Parents/Guardians can register their child online via the Global Debates website. Each session has an early-application deadline. Space is limited and booking is on a first-come basis.

If your child’s age is at the boundary, you can contact the organizers to confirm fit.

There is no prerequisite coursework or exam. The camp welcomes participants of all skill levels. Beginnings start with fundamentals so even novices can catch up quickly. For those who have engaged in prior debate coaching, this is an excellent opportunity to unlearn and relearn the basics.

Yes, Global Debates charges a program fee (to cover facilitation, logistics, and materials). Specific pricing is posted on the registration page for each Camp. Payment is typically handled via a secure online booking link.

Because the curriculum is intensive and interconnected, regular attendance is required (90% minimum) to earn the certificate. If a participant misses a day, we can provide a personalized alternative session at an additional cost, but full engagement is encouraged. In such a scenario, please reach out to us in advance.

Global Debates usually partners with schools, community centers, or youth organizations.

The Summer Camp itself can be delivered as an in-school or after-school program at partner institutions, fully adapted to each school’s schedule and needs. In practice, we do run customized week-long camps on institutional campuses and can integrate our debate programs into your extracurricular offerings. Educators have appreciated that we have embeded real curriculum topics so that debate activities reinforce broader learning objectives of the institution.

We also offer our signature Young Leaders’ Program and other programs (in-person or online) for schools. All programs are highly flexible, content and duration can be tailored to your goals, be it debate skills for competitive preparation, leadership training, or communication clinics.

Partnering with Global Debates brings academic and civic benefits. Our programs foster critical thinking, self-confidence and democratic values, aligning with modern educational goals. Participants practice evidence-based reasoning and engage with age-appropriate global issues. A list of indicative statements are available on our Resource Center.

Moreover, Global Debates uses heterogeneous grouping (mixing ages and skill levels) to leverage social and peer learning. For instance, younger participants learn from older peers, and older participants develop leadership and mentoring skills. The camp’s unique four-team debate format (two teams on each side of an issue, with multiple teams per side) ensures every participant must listen to many perspectives and practice adaptive thinking.

In short, schools gain a turnkey program that builds core argumentation skills and 21st-century skills (communication, collaboration, creativity, empathy, leadership etc) while being school schedule-friendly. To explore collaboration, school leaders can contact Global Debates via leadership@globaldebates.org for a consultation.