European Youth Speak

“I wanted to improve my debating skills, practice and theory.” This was the expectation of one of the 50 participants taking part in the second European Youth Speak Conference in Amsterdam
from 4-9 May." This is a teaser of an article published in the Europe Direct, a Newsletter of European Commission, on one of the IDEA's events - European Youth Speak: Unity in Diversity.
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Watch the speeches made at the Speakers' corner held in Oosterpark on the evening of May !

From May 4-9 the International Debate Education Association hosted 50 participants from 6 countries - Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and The Netherlands in an event called European Youth Speak: Unity in Diversity Exchange. This event was supported by the Youth in Action Programme. There were only 6 countries, but at least 15 cultures were represented among this group. Each country nominated 7 students (16-21) and one university supervisor, with the emphasis on creating as diverse group as possible. AND truly, what an exchange of cultures! Pity you missed it.

EYS: Eyes on the Future!


European Youth Speak: Unity in Diversity Exchange.

European Youth Speak 2008 Amsterdam, May 4 h - 9th, 2008

IDEA would like to celebrate the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue by proposing a European Youth Speak: Unity in Diversity Exchange.

Read the Statement of Principles by the ECFR and sign the petition.

On the 9^th November 1989, Europe and the World, witnessed a symbolic event – the Fall of Berlin Wall, the most potent symbol of divided Europe and in fact, the divided World.

Today Europe and the world are celebrating the 18th anniversary of this event. It is a “Coming of Age” of the New Europe – a bigger and more united Europe.

EU Youth Speak is an on-line project of International Debate Education Association – IDEA, organization whose mission is to promote mutual understanding and democracy globally by supporting discussion and active citizenship locally.

Recognizing the potential of young people in building a better future for Europe and the world IDEA would like has launched an online advocacy and discussion project aimed at young people in EU as well as outside of its borders. The project aims at achieving the following goals:

Public Debate Toolkit

Public Debate Toolkit is a basic resources for all who want to promote discussion and debate in their communities. It contains introduction to debate, tips on preparation, argumentation as well as logistics of organizing public debates.

Debate Europe is part of Debatepedia - a wiki project of the International Debate Education Association - IDEA with the mission to become the "Wikipedia of debate and reasoning.”