QatarDebate Hosts Three Roundtable Sessions in New York as Part of U.S. Arabic Debating Championship

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“Debaters for Change” brings together 150+ debaters and adjudicators from 40+ universities across the U.S. and Canada

 Press Release – QatarDebate

Continuing its mission to empower youth and engage them in discussions on pressing global issues, QatarDebate Center organized the second edition of “Debaters for Change” in New York City, held in parallel with the gathering of world leaders for the United Nations General Assembly.

This edition builds on the success of the first, which took place at the same time last year. That session explored the future of international cooperation and examined the “Pact for the Future”, which was adopted at the Summit of the Future.

Amid a dynamic atmosphere of dialogue, the second edition of the “Debaters for Change” Roundtables, organized by QatarDebate, brought together more than 150 young debaters and adjudicators from across the globe. The sessions provided a unique platform for participants to engage in discussions on cultural pluralism and the evolving agendas of institutions in a rapidly changing world.

Held on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel – Cardinal Ballroom, the initiative aimed to promote a culture of dialogue and critical thinking through youth-led discussions tackling pressing global and regional issues relevant to their future. The roundtables encouraged young voices to freely express their ideas in a safe environment that fosters listening, cultural exchange, and constructive interaction—laying the foundation for a future built on diversity, openness, and collaboration.

The sessions also offered a safe space for diverse perspectives and highlighted the potential of youth to shape global policies and drive societal change. Dialogue was reaffirmed as a strategic tool for building bridges between cultures, strengthening shared human values, and addressing unprecedented global challenges.

In line with this vision, three thematic roundtables brought together experts, policymakers, and young thinkers from different countries to explore the challenges and opportunities of governance, education, and social inclusion in today’s rapidly transforming world.

Roundtable I – Progressive Education

The first session addressed what it takes to equip students to shape a better future. Discussions focused on reimagining education systems to keep pace with future needs and to prepare generations capable of innovation and critical thinking in an era of rapid change.

Participants stressed that progressive education is no longer an option but a necessity in today’s shifting landscape. They emphasized the urgency of moving from rhetoric and promises to concrete measures that promote equity, justice, and trust in the global order. Investing in education reform, they concluded, is a direct investment in building a fairer and more sustainable future.

Roundtable II – Supporting Civil Society Initiatives to Strengthen Social Cohesion

This session aimed to engage youth in one of the key discussion tracks of the Second World Summit for Social Development, which will be held in Doha at the end of the year. It focused on reimagining the principles of social integration adopted in Copenhagen in 1995 to suit a rapidly changing world, while highlighting the progress achieved, the reasons behind the persistence of many gaps, and the way forward to strengthen inclusive and cohesive communities.

Participants revisited the principles of social integration set forth at the Copenhagen Summit, considering how they could be reimagined for today’s rapidly changing context. They highlighted structural and cultural factors that continue to perpetuate social and economic divides, while also sharing successful case studies from various countries.

Key recommendations included:

• Designing flexible social policies that embrace diversity.
• Strengthening the role of civil society and educational institutions in fostering inclusive communities.
• Enhancing the representation of developing countries in international institutions.
• Linking principles of justice to digital and economic transformation.
• Promoting comprehensive and sustainable approaches to global decision-making.

Roundtable III – Global Governance

The session addressed the challenges facing global governance in a world marked by accelerating humanitarian and environmental crises, as well as the widening gap between the Global North and South. It came as an extension of the theme of the Doha Forum 2025“Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress,”, serving as a prelude to its youth edition organized by QatarDebate.

Discussions underscored the importance of shifting from symbolic initiatives to practical measures that ensure fairness in resource distribution, access to technology, education, and healthcare.

Among the key issues raised were:

• The underrepresentation of developing nations in global decision-making structures.
• The need for greater transparency and accountability in international institutions.
• The compounded impact of overlapping crises—including climate change, wars, and pandemics—on governance systems.
• The vital role of youth in shaping more inclusive and responsive governance models for the future.

Recommendations included restructuring global governance mechanisms to be more inclusive and pluralistic, supporting youth-led initiatives offering innovative solutions, strengthening partnerships between North and South on the basis of equity, and embracing the principle of “justice in implementation” rather than rhetoric alone.

The session concluded by reaffirming that the future of global governance depends on turning words into action and intentions into tangible results, with meaningful youth participation as a cornerstone for building a more stable and equitable world.

This year’s roundtables drew participants from over 40 universities across the United States and Canada, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, University of Chicago, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, New York University, University of Michigan, University of Florida, University of Texas (Austin and Dallas), University of Notre Dame, University of Arizona, University of Illinois, University of British Columbia, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, MIT, UCLA, among many others.

Participants voiced their aspirations for a more just, advanced, and cooperative world—affirming that youth are not only partners in the future but leaders of today, driving constructive change and sustainable development.

They underscored that conscious dialogue is the true gateway to building stable and innovative societies, and that empowering young people to share their perspectives is an investment in a brighter tomorrow.

This initiative reflects QatarDebate Center’s commitment to equipping youth with the tools of dialogue and influence, ensuring they become active partners in shaping the policies of the future—within their communities and on the global stage.