University Debate within the Debate Program focuses on the teaching and practice of student debate formats. The purpose of the debate at the university level is to build a culture of dialogue among young people, encourage critical analysis and develop students’ oratorical abilities. The university format that is most frequently debated worldwide, and also included in the YEF program for students, is the British Parliamentary Debate format.
In the academic year 2008/2009, the program was formally applied for the first time in higher education in the Republic of North Macedonia. British Parliamentary Debate is the most famous debate format intended for students, it becomes part of the Clinical Program of the Faculty of Law “Justinian I” at the University “St. Cyril and Methodius”.
By participating in the debate program, students are enabled to acquire knowledge and skills in the field of debate formats, argumentative communication, critical thinking, public speaking, but also enriching their own knowledge of relevant social topics through informal learning. Lectures are given by YEF trainers, experienced debaters, who have undergone training for debate lecturers, following a predetermined curriculum in accordance with the latest world trends.
YEF student debaters have achieved significant results in debate, such as winning first place at the Budapest Open international debate tournament and winning 3rd and 4th speaking place in the English as a Foreign Language category at the European Debating Championship 2016.
