European Debate School is a long-standing educational project implemented by the Europe House and the Open Communication debate academic network, with the support of the EU Delegation of Serbia.
The project aims to equip high school and university students with knowledge and skills in debating, argumentation, critical thinking, and public speaking – while also introducing them to the European Union, its institutions, and the process of European integrations.
Over the past eleven years, more than 1,000 young people from over 30 cities across Serbia have participated in the program, which has included around 50 public debates on pressing social issues.
Program consists of a series of debate workshops held in Belgrade, Niš, and Novi Sad. Sessions are led by experienced debate coaches from Open Communication and feature lectures by EU experts from Serbia and the EU Delegation. After completing the workshop phase, best participants take part in public debates organized in various cities, where they have the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills before a live audience.
For each new generation of participants, the European Debate School organizes a dedicated accompanying program designed to further deepen the knowledge and skills acquired through the workshops. In previous years, these activities have included debate camps, traveling debate caravans, final debates held in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, and award study trips to Brussels featuring visits to European Union institutions.
Some generations have also had the opportunity to showcase their debating talents to a wider audience through the production and broadcast of the debate TV series “Pazi mladost” (“Watch Out, Youth”) on Radio Television of Serbia, featuring the best young debaters from across the country.
Participant Experiences
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