The Concern Debates is Concern Worldwide flagship schools activity. It gives students the opportunity to research and debate issues that affect those living in the developing world.

By taking part, students learn the valuable skills of research and debating. The Concern Debates have been running since 1984. Throughout the competition’s history, over 45,000 students have engaged in the debates. Around 120 schools participate annually.

The Concern Debates aim to:

  • Promote a deeper awareness and understanding of global issues
  • Provide students with a public forum, to develop skills in research, presentation and debate
  • Encourage students and teachers to become lifelong advocates on issues relating to poverty, justice and human rights

St. Dominic’s Secondary school has a long history of participating in the Concern debates. We have had great success in our debates to date, reaching the final stages last year. Our team consists of students from 4th, 5th and 6th year.  Our current coach of the debating team Ms Mc Connell is a past pupil and former debating team member. She states:

“The debates always stand out as a happy time in Secondary School for me when I was a student. They helped me develop many skills such as organisation, research, critical thinking and editing information. The debates also helped to build by confidence and my public speaking skills. As a teacher I greatly enjoy coaching the team and seeing the student’s confidence and knowledge of world issues grow. Hopefully this year we will FINALLY bring the cup home.”

The debating team would like to thank Mrs. Daly and Sr. Liz for all their support and encouragement.
Our Current team line up is;

Aminat Fetuga, Emma Whelan, Sharon Cahill, Leanne Cuff, Patricia Healy and Christina Hughes

If you would like more information on the debates please click the link below:

http://www.concern.net/get-involved/schools/debates/about

Last Year’s Debating Team