From April 23-25, 2025, Brussels will host the Debating Skills European Debate Event, bringing together young voices from across Europe in a dynamic exchange of ideas. This initiative, co-organised by CEPCEP – Universidade Católica Portuguesa, in collaboration with ECNAIS and the European Federation of Education Employers (EFEE), is supported by Porticus. The event’s core mission is to promote debate as an educational tool, enhancing students’ confidence, critical thinking, empathy, and creativity.

Over the past two years, this initiative has provided impactful training and engagement opportunities in eight EU countries—Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain. Now, the most promising nationally selected teams of students and educators will gather in Brussels to put their skills to the test.

Event Highlights

Participants can look forward to an engaging and competitive program that includes:

  • Debate Competition – Three rounds and a final, judged by postgraduate experts from KU Leuven.
  • Collaborative Manifesto – A joint effort to advocate for the integration of debating in education.
  • European Parliament Visit – An opportunity for students to connect with European democratic institutions.

The impact of this event will extend beyond the competition itself. By fostering a culture of dialogue, civic engagement, and intellectual curiosity, it will contribute to the ongoing development of debate initiatives in schools across Europe.

Stay tuned for event highlights, key insights, and the voices of Europe’s next generation of leaders.