IRAQ DEBATE, DUHOK
WORLD DEBATE INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
JOINT PROGRAM FOR A DEBATING AND ADVOCACY ACADEMY IN IRAQ, DUHOK
Iraq Debate Academy and Mesopotamia Debating Tournament
After holding workshops for students and for government officials, Iraq Debate, under the direction of Iraq Debate based in Duhok, will be holding a five days debate workshop, the Iraq Debate Academy and Mesopotamia Debating Tournament, in Duhok, Kurdistan of Iraq on 13-17 December 2009.
Introduction
After years of authoritarian rule, Iraq is attempted to emerge into the 21st Century as a multiethnic democracy. These are challenging times, and the skills of oral disputation, reasoned debate, logical decision making and conflict resolution through open discussion are badly needed, not only in Iraqi society but throughout southwest Asia and, indeed, the world.
There is a strong and growing grassroots movement in Kurdistan of Iraq to promote debating:
1. Iraq Debate’s mission is to promote debate culture among Iraqis, especially students across the universities and schools, to provide them with the modern concepts of analysis and communication skills so that they can meet the challenges that face Iraq.
2. Promoting the value of Education.
3. Showing Iraq's unique cultures and civilization to the world.
4. Promoting a sense of community.
5. Promoting Peace through dialogue and understanding.
Based on positive experience in countries like Serbia, Qatar, Slovenia, Korea, Malaysia and China, the partners in this effort would like to bring active instruction in these techniques to teachers, students, government officials and citizens in Iraq.
Partners:
Iraq Debate Initiative, Duhok
Muhammad A. Ahmad, Global Leadership Program
Director, Iraq Debate Initiative
World Debate Institute, University of Vermont
Dr. Alfred C. Snider, Lawrence Professor of Forensics
Director, World Debate Institute
http://worlddebateinstitute.blogspot.com/
Goals
The goal of this initiative is to organize and hold a debating and advocacy workshop Kurdistan of Iraq. Iraq Debate has already held workshops there with some success, for students and for government officials, and the time is right for major international debating experts and trainers to come to Iraq to offer more broad-based and advanced training. Since Iraq Debate is sponsoring teams to attend both the 2010 World Universities Debating Championship in Antalya, Turkey as well as the World Schools Debating Championship in Doha, Qatar, this more advanced training is necessary. As well, a “training of trainers” program needs to be held in order to facilitate the dramatic expansion of debating in Iraq in schools and universities.
Program Details
Title: Iraq Debating Academy 2009
And Mesopotamia Debating Tournament
Dates: 13-17 December 2009
Location: Duhok, Kurdistan of Iraq
Faculty:
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Alfred Snider, Director,World Debate Institute, University of Vermont, USA
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Jason Jarvis, Georgia State University, USA
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Megan Harlow,Bard College, European Graduate School, NYC, USA
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Rhydian Morgan, Stylus Communications, Wales
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Jonathan Borock, President, New York City Debate Society, USA
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Bojana Skrt, Z.I.P., Slovenia
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Matt Stannard, University of Wyoming, Wyoming, USA
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Muhammad A. Ahmad, Director, Iraq Debate Initiative, Iraq
Curriculum:
For school and university students: lectures, workshops, sample debates, practice debates, speaking and debating exercises, participation in public debates, debate tournament at the end of the program.
For school and university teachers: lectures, workshops, sample debates, sample instruction sessions, debate organizing and judging training, debate event organizing seminars, public debates at the end of the program.
For government officials: seminars in debate as civic engagement, debating skills as part of policy formulation, media and press relationship skills, public panel discussion at the end of the program.
Model:
The program will be modeled on successful events of similar nature, including:
International Debate Academy, Slovenia, since 2003.
Serbia Summer Debate Camp, Serbia, since 2008.
World Debate Institute, Vermont, USA since 1984.
Asian Debate Institute 2007, 2008
Safety:
The Kurdish region of Iraq is extremely safe for foreigners.
The region is distinctive with its security and stability situation compared with the rest of Iraq. Kurdish security forces and police have been reconfigured and trained by high level experts. Police stations have been rebuilt. Police and traffic police are being provided with distinct uniforms and new equipment. Stability, tranquility and security based upon the rule of law are a distinct achievement of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Crime in the region is remarkably low. Further, the region has remained free of the twin modern scourges of drug abuse and HIV-AIDs infection. Families travel freely and safely throughout the region. There are virtually no travel restrictions and all roads have become open to explore and enjoy the region's great outdoors.
From http://www.mot-krg.org/Default1.aspx?page=sitecontents&c=FAQ
Social Activities:
1- Visiting historical sites of Duhok Governorate
2- Duhok Museums
3- Kurdistan Nature and Kurdish food.
4- City tour
Organizing
Comm.:
1- Muhammad A. Ahmad, Program Manager
2- Chiyavan A. Sulaiman, Consultant
3- Ismail T. Jangeer, Media and Press
4- Mahmood A. Yousuf, Governorate Coordinator
5- Noha Andrios, Financial Coordinator
6- Karwan J. Abdulrahman, Logistics
Contacts:
1- Iraq Debate Website online www.iraqdebate.org
2- Direct E-mails:
Program Manager:
About the Academy Q&A:
Registration:
Telephone:
Int'l:+964-770-0512000
Inside Iraq: 0770-0512000
Major Sponsor:
Governor of Duhok, H.E. Mr. Tamar Ramadhan
Warmest Regards,
Muhammad A. Ahmad Duhoki Dr. Alfred C. Snider
Director, Iraq Debate Initiative Director, World Debate Institute
September 7, 2009