Debating is rapidly gaining popularity in campuses and classrooms throughout the world; new debating societies and public speaking programmes are emerging all the time, and in the least likely of places. Now more than ever, debaters and students in developing democracies and isolated locations are seeking support, advice and encouragement to enable them to debate more effectively and build strong traditions of public discourse in their communities.

This is where we come in.  Our goal is to help debaters in far-flung places gain the expertise they need through a progam of mentors.  The mentoring scheme uses idebate.org’s social network to put new societies and novice debaters in touch with veteran speakers, convenors and adjudicators from around the world. Mentoring volunteers will offer up-and-coming societies real-time advice on all aspects of debating, from the rules and roles of different debate formats, through to research techniques and tips on tournament administration.

Not only will participating in the mentoring scheme help to build up established speakers’ and societies’ international profiles, debaters will also have the chance to earn rewards for their efforts. Individual debaters will gain GSDHS points and badges in return for sharing their time and experience; debating societies who incorporate mentoring into their regular activities will receive cash payments and complementary Affiliate membership of IDEA.

The mentoring scheme gives older debaters seeking to build up their judging and coaching CVs and excellent opportunity to practice their teaching and feedback techniques. Mentoring provides societies with an opportunity to engage their members with the wider world of debate, and to continue vital learning and critical thinking activities outside of the debate chamber.

You can volunteer to become a mentor by going to Your Profile >> Edit Profile >> Debating Roles >> and tick the mentor checkbox. 

We're not quite ready to offer mentors yet, for that we need chat to be working.  When it is and you want a mentor just look on the home page, put your mouse over the icons there, find one that matches your preferred debating format and language and start a conversation.