RU-N Debate Team Fostering International Collaborations Throughout June
Throughout June, the Rutgers University–Newark Debate Team has organized a series of events aimed at enhancing members' skills and fostering meaningful dialogue within the community. The team is collaborating regarding the Tanzanian Summer Academic Debate Tour (June 4-17), and participating in the Transatlantic Dialogues for Future Leaders (June 21-24).
The team has secured collaboration opportunities with the Tanzanian Competitive Rhetoric Organisation, Lawrence Debate Union (University of Vermont), Air Force Academy, Morehouse College, and University of Dar es Salaam Debate Society for a Tanzanian Summer Academic Debate Tour being held June 4-17. The tour includes participating in a social justice debate on the effectiveness of legal mechanisms in advancing environmental justice, and a British Parliamentary debate.
They have also collaborated with École de Guerre in Paris, France, to participate in the Transatlantic Dialogues for Future Leaders, an annual intercollegiate dialogue series that brings together U.S. and European university students to analyze and discuss important transatlantic topics. For this tournament being held June 21-24, students will present and defend policy proposals on the topic: “What are the most effective approaches for militaries in Western liberal democracies to recruit individuals to counter emerging forms of warfare?”
These collaborations represent unique chances for the team to engage in cross-cultural dialogue, learn from diverse perspectives, and contribute to meaningful exchanges on both a global and transatlantic scale. The tour and the dialogue will not only enrich the team members' experiences but also strengthen the team's reputation as a leader in promoting constructive discourse both locally and internationally.
"I am confident that these events and collaborations will have a significant impact on our team members' personal and intellectual growth, as well as contribute positively to the reputation of our institution," said Willie Johnson, head coach of the Rutgers University–Newark Debate Team.
The Rutgers University–Newark Debate Team, founded in 2008, is sponsored by the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) and the Office of the Chancellor, Newark. The team is open to undergraduate students at the university.