Dublin and Limerick schools reach all-island Concern Debates final

Laurel Hill Secondary School in Limerick city and Sandford Park School in Ranelagh, Dublin both won their semi-finals on April 3 in Dublin in debates about the effectiveness of the United Nations.

The runners up were teams from Ursuline Secondary School in Thurles, Tipperary and Cross and Passion College in Ballycastle, Antrim.

The final of Concern Debates, which has been running for 40 years and is the largest school debating contest in Ireland, will take place on May 1 at The Helix venue at DCU in Dublin. The finalists will debate the motion ‘The world is more equal now than it was 40 years ago.’

Concern Debates is an all-island education programme run by the humanitarian organisation Concern Worldwide for school teams who debate world issues such as poverty and climate change with volunteer judges deciding which team wins. 

The programme, which is open to schools from all 32 counties, was created in 1984 by Concern to encourage debate and critical thinking about global issues.

Concern praised the finalists and the hundreds of other students who took part in the programme this year.

“All the young people who participated this year have learned new skills such as critical thinking, research skills as well as the confidence to articulate information – we are so proud of them all,” said Concern’s Head of Global Citizenship, Lauren Wright.

“We are very grateful to everyone involved including the volunteers who adjudicate each debate and we applaud their efforts.

“It is our hope that these young debaters become lifelong advocates of those globally living in poverty and facing the impacts of inequality.” 

Concern said anyone who would like their school to take part in the competition or who would like to volunteer as an adjudicator can email them at debates@concern.net.

ENDS

For more information, please contact Kevin Jenkinson at kevin.jenkinson@concern.net.