International Debate Conference Concludes in Doha

Doha, January 13 (QNA) - The Fourth International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment called Sunday for building an international network for organizations relating to debate, oratory and dialogue. They also called for using technology, communication to enrich the field. The participants stressed, in the final day of the conference, on the importance of integrating debate and dialogue skills in educational syllabi. They also agreed that more centers dedicated to promoting debate and dialogue skills must be established. The conference's participants made a number of recommendations that centered around the importance of forming partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) concerned with debate and dialogue, in order to assist with preparing suitable training techniques in that field for children. The recommendations include call for making the International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment a beacon for promoting the culture of debate between different countries. The participants also agreed on the importance of developing new research in the field of debates and dialogue, and also underlined the significance of strengthening communication between different intellectual and cultural backgrounds. The participants also recommended investing human resource in the field of debate and dialogue, as well as in programs that will promote dialogue between nations regardless on its cultural or religious differences. More than 300 researchers from 38 countries participated in the Fourth International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment. They presented 120 academic papers over the course of the conference's duration. Executive director of Qatar Debate Hayat Ma'arafi, the authority which organized the conference, appreciated the distinguished Arab participation in the conference, whether through presenting academic paper or participating in the discussion sessions. She announced that Qatar Debate will release soon a booklet that will include a transcript of the lectures and the discussion sessions that took place during this year's conference. (QNA)