CEU Celebrates the Power of Debate in Region-Wide Debate Tournament

"Debate is a powerful tool for making change in society," commented Shreya Bhattacharya (MPA '16). Aron Suba (MPA '17) agrees: "Wherever you work after you graduate – in government, in policymaking, at NGOs, or in the private sector – you will need to be able to present arguments in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner. Debating equips you with the skills you need to do that. It requires you to listen to other opinions as well." Liliana Fernandez (MPA '17) adds, "It encourages a more transparent society because when you debate, you use evidence to convince your opponent, and the public as well. If the evidence is presented, then the public can make their own decisions too."

Bhattacharya, Suba, Fernandez, and Zola Valashiya (MPA '17), who made a presentation during the tournament about the role of CEU as an international university that encourages critical thinking and creative ideas, were among the dozens of CEU students and alumni who helped to organize the 5th Annual Budapest Open Debate Tournament. Bhattacharya said her experience last year when she also helped to organize the tournament was invaluable. All the volunteers spent weeks working with colleagues from CEU, Corvinus University, and ELTE to prepare for the arrival of more than 200 participants from 22 countries. Suba, for example, assisted with the video and wrote the press release. Bhattacharya helped to secure financial contributions from the Student Life Office, the Student Union, and the School of Public Policy to finance the event, and book donations from the Open Society Foundations. Suba and Fernandez too were involved with pre-event organization. The hard work was worth it. According to event organizer and CEU alumna Zsofia Muranyi (MPA POLS '14), this year's event was the largest so far. By all accounts, it was also a lot of fun.

The winners were Billy Wildi and Julia Slupska from the London School of Economics and Political Science; the prize for the best individual speaker was awarded to Stefan Siridzanski from the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Political Science.