New york: QatarDebate Center (QDC), a member of Qatar Foundation, convened the second Debaters for Change Roundtables, continuing its endeavor to empower youth and engage them in deliberating some of the foremost global issues, marking the current session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
According to Qatar News Agency, the event followed the success of the inaugural round held last year, which explored the trajectories of international cooperation and the Pact for the Future adopted at the Summit of the Future. The gathering brought together over 150 young debaters and adjudicators from more than 40 American and Canadian universities, providing a platform for vibrant dialogue on multiculturalism and institutional agendas in a rapidly changing world.
The initiative focused on promoting a culture of dialogue and critical thinking through youth-led deliberations on global and regional issues, contributing to a deeper understanding of the challenges facing societies. It offered a safe space for exchanging perspectives, highlighting the role of young people as catalysts for shaping global policies and as architects of constructive change through effective dialogue and cross-cultural understanding.
Three roundtable sessions convened experts, decision-makers, and young intellectuals from various countries to discuss progressive education, social inclusion, and global governance. The first panel centered on progressive education, exploring ways to refine educational systems to meet future demands while enhancing students’ capacity for innovation and critical thought. Participants emphasized that investment in education is a direct investment in a more equitable and sustainable future.
The second panel, focused on supporting civil society initiatives to strengthen social cohesion, revisited the principles of social inclusion from the 1995 Copenhagen Summit, reimagining them in light of current transformations. Discussions addressed challenges from social, economic, and cultural disparities, proposing measures to promote equality and fair opportunity, emphasizing the role of civil society and public policy in building inclusive communities.
The third panel addressed global governance challenges amid humanitarian and environmental crises and the growing divide between North and South. It underscored the need to shift from pledges to tangible practices that ensure justice in resource allocation and access to technology, education, and healthcare. The discussion highlighted the importance of increasing the representation of developing nations in global decision-making and integrating youth into governance systems for a more inclusive future.
The deliberations concluded with recommendations to restructure global governance mechanisms to be more pluralistic and inclusive, reinforce North-South cooperation on a fair basis, and support youth-driven initiatives for innovative solutions to global challenges. Panelists expressed their aspiration to create a more just, advanced, and harmonious world, affirming young people’s role as not only future partners but present leaders capable of driving development and change.
This initiative aligns with QDC’s broader commitment to empowering young people with expression and influence tools, positioning them as active stakeholders in shaping future policies locally and globally.