The Association fosters a culture of debate in Lithuania and Europe, develops critical thinking and contributes to active civic society.
Our mission is a #debatingLithuania
Our values
Education for all
We seek to develop critical thinkers and always encourage raising questions
Debate culture
We foster a culture of debate in Lithuania and Europe.
Civic society
We promote active and socially responsible civic society
WHAT DO WE DO?
Public debates
We organise public debates in Lithuanian, English and German. Since 2022, the year in which our association launched a new format for debating in the Lithuanian language, we have been introducing this new concept to teachers not only in Lithuania but also at Lithuanian schools abroad. We are also pleased to have organised the first Lithuanian Youth Debate Competition in 2023. We believe that debating is an important tool for giving young people the opportunity to present and develop ideas in a structured manner, to gain the courage to speak in front of diverse audiences, to observe the public space and to recognise the synthesis of different discourses within it.
Discussion forums and workshops
For us, a debating Lithuania is inconceivable without holding regular discussions with diplomats, political scientists, politicians and journalists about the EU and Lithuanian domestic politics. We also talk boldly about social, cultural, climatic and political issues at our workshops: In 2021, for example, we successfully completed the “Seimas Insider” simulation project, and we regularly organise debate workshops (or take part in them as teachers). In addition, for a few years now, we have continued our tradition of Brunch by meeting with Lithuanian public figures in an informal café format.
Debating workshop with the Vilnius University
Workshop: Debatai pamokoje – kaip pradėti?
Interactive workshop on debating in the classroom
Discussion: European elections – a challenge for the future of the EU?
Information events and publications
We hold events about studying in German-speaking and other countries (e.g. International Youth Fair). In addition, as part of the international Erasmus+ project “Debate, not Argue”, we have developed educational materials – podcasts, methodological guides, etc. – with partners from five other European countries to educate on media and information literacy issues. The material is available for free on the project website: www.debatenotargue.eu.
International projects
We believe it is vital to participate in international initiatives that promote social engagement and interest in economic and socio-political topics among young people. Ever since the founding of the association as part of the “Jugend debattiert international” project, we have been in contact with foreign partners in such projects as “Freiraum”, “Debate Your Issue” and “Debate, not Argue”. It is also a pleasure for us to have been involved in a project with the Lithuanian community in Sweden, during which we developed materials for the inclusion of debates in the classroom for the Lithuanian school in Stockholm.
Our friends and partners:
