This cooperative agreement will fund debate training and a series of debate competitions throughout Afghanistan, culminating in a final round of competition in Kabul, Afghanistan.

This youth debate program will create opportunities for women and men between the ages of 18 and 30 from provinces

credit: Twitter/@Flotus/Associated Press via Mashable

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across Afghanistan to develop important skills for successful civic engagement, including public speaking, critical thinking, team-building, and in-depth research.

Through the process of preparing for and participating in co-educational debate training and competitions to be conducted in English, participants will learn a widely recognized debate format while gaining in-depth knowledge of debate themes from multiple perspectives.

Participants will also learn to support arguments with evidence and anticipate objections.

The Recipient may engage subject-matter experts (e.g., university faculty, civil society activists, qualified debate instructors) to lead pre-debate research sessions via Skype or in-person.

The debates will be amplified through social media and other means to reinforce lessons learned and encourage post-debate engagement among participants and broader society.

All debate themes will be approved by PAS and all debate competitions will be conducted in English.