Debate Mate

Debate Mate is a charity that teaches debating in^[1] inner-city schools across the UK in areas of high child poverty, it also runs international programes in various countries including Nepal, Israel/Palestine, the UAE and the USA.

History

Debate Mate is a young organisation, having been founded in 2008. However, since then it has expanded rapidly and has worked with over 10,000 young people.

Debate Mate was founded by Margaret McCabe, barrister-at-law.

Debate Mate Core Programe

This program is offered to children in school years 7-10. (Its target age group can be seen below).It is offered in non-selective state schools in areas of high child poverty

• 16 week programme, 1 hour a week after school
• Targeted at years 8-10 (12-15 year old) pupils
• Delivered by university student debaters, trained by Debate Mate
• Includes participation in regional and national tournaments (the Urban Debate League and Debate Mate Cup)
• Serves as a foundation programme for the Onward Learning Programme (see below)
• Currently running in 115 schools in London^[2] , Birmingham^[3], Manchester^[4] and Bristol ^[5]

Debate Mate Plus Programe

Debate Mate Plus is part of the Onward Learning Programme, this programme

• Works exclusively with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Prepares participants for prestigious schools' debating competitions
• Targeted at years 10-13 (15-18 year old) pupils
• Delivered by international debating champions
• Develops advanced debating technique and subject knowledge workshops on topics such as Law, Economics, Politics, International Relations, Science and Ethics
• Entrepreneurship and Employability is part of an Onward Learning Programme
• Develops financial literacy and business skills to improve employability of Debate Mate students in the UK's top-growth industries: financial services, law, media and fashion
• Delivered by university students and leading business figures

Partners

Partners include: Glen Manchester (Entrepreneur of the Year, 2009), The Official Community, Brunswick PR, Clifford Chance, BskyB ^[6][7], BBC^[8][9], House Of Lords^[10][11] and News International

Debate Mate International

International Programmes-

• Nepal: Debate Mate runs its core programme in partnership with the Samata Schools for impoverished Nepali students. Having taught over 1600 students in 2010, Debate Mate aim to continue and develop its presence there, selecting and training the Nepali team for the World Schools Debating Championship 2011 in Dundee

• Israel/Palestine: Debate Mate partners with OneVoice, an organisation of both Israelis and Palestinians that seeks peace through a two-state solution. In 2010, Debate Mate led a number of debating workshops on controversial issues affecting the region.^[12] One Voice now seek to make the Debate Mate programme an integral part of their leadership training

• United Arab Emirates: Debate Mate was the first organisation to teach debating in the UAE. They are the official coach of their international debating team, who made their debut in 2009 at the prestigious World Schools' Debating Championships. They will continue the programme there with an aim to extend it to students from a variety of different backgrounds

• USA: Debate Mate are currently running a pilot of their scheme in Boston, as it looks to expand to Debate Mate USA in within the next couple of years

References

1. ^ Debate Mate Website. "http://www.debatemate.com". 
2. ^ Robert Clack School, One London school on the program. "http://www.robertclack.co.uk/DebateClub.cfm". 
3. ^ Park Hall Academy. "http://www.parkhallschool.org.uk/News.html". 
4. ^ Manchester Academy Debate Club. "http://www.manchester-academy.org/whats-on/view/665/Debate-Mate". 
5. ^ Debate Work In Bristol. "http://www.oasisacademybrightstowe.org/academy-life/news/view/item10758/". 
6. ^ Debate On Sky News. "http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Debate-Mate-Urban-Unlimited-Charity Encourages-Students-To-Get-Political-With-Own-Leaders-Debates/Article/201004215601051?altcast_code=6ba90457c8". 
7. ^ Debate Mate Sky Debate Video. "http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/video/Debate-Mate-School-Children-In-Bristol-Discuss-Issues-Around-Leaders-Election-Debates/Video/201004415612792?lpos=video_Article_Body_Copy_Region_0&lid=VIDEO_15612792_Debate_Mate%3A_School_Children_In_Bristol_Discuss_Issues_Around_Leaders_Election_Debates". 
8. ^ BBC Womens Hour. "http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00swp2p". 
9. ^ Debate Mate on BBC News. "http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8782000/8782142.stm". 
10. ^ House Of Lords news. "http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2010/12/elect-select-or-reject-the-future-of-the-house-of-lords/". 
11. ^ House Of Lords Documentary. "http://www.grainmedia.co.uk/news/debate-mate-house-lords". 
12. ^ "http://blog.onevoicemovement.org/one_voice/2010/10/ovp-receives-debate-training-in-west-bank.html". One Voice Debating Programme.