About organisation
What is debate?
Educational Debate Centre (EDC) EDC is a non-governmental and non-profit organization founded by the Open Society Foundation, Lithuania. It was registered in Druskininkai on August 16h, 1999. Educational Debate Centre (EDC) is a member of International Debate Educational Association (IDEA), an umbrella organization which unites debate organizations from 36 countries. IDEA is registered in the Netherlands.
We state our mission as a pledge that, through debates, we can help the young generation of Lithuania to become socially-aware citizens, involved in dealing with the problems facing their native country and the world, creating an active and positive attitude in finding solutions for a better future. Through debates we hope to contribute to the creation of an open society.
Aims :
- to involve high school and university students as well as the teachers (including the Russian and Polish minorities) into the debate program
- to foster tolerance and understanding while discussing such issues as censorship of the media, human rights (including children's rights & rights of minorities), environmental problems, youth problems, integration of Lithuania into European Union, etc.
Objectives :
- to organize trainings of professional development for pedagogues and students
- to consult and organize consultations for educational institutions and pedagogues under request
- to implement various national and international projects in accordance to the goals and objectives of the Debate Centre
- to organize national and international seminars, debate tournaments, educational summer camps, youth forums and other debate related activities
Activities of EDC :
- Debate seminars and workshops for teachers of different subjects
- Debate clubs at schools and universities
- Public debates
- Various national and international projects for youth (e.g. "Youth Against Corruption", "Youth Against Violence & Substance Abuse", "Youth Parliaments", "Youth School of Democracy", "Youth for Active Citizenship & EU Integration")
- Local, National and International debate tournaments
- National and international summer youth forums
Debate :
- develops critical thinking skills
- teaches how to make a logical (based on argumentation supported by evidence) and persuasive speech
- fosters tolerance for the opponent's opinion
- develops team work skills
- arouses students' interest in current social affairs
- encourages global approach toward problem solving
- in a word the debate program raises a new generation of socially-aware citizen able to clearly and convincingly express their position on the burning global issues, able to listen and understand the opposing arguments and re-establish a dialogue.
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