GPoT Center and the Munathara Initiative reach out to Syrian youth

GPoT Center is partnering with the Munathara Initiative (Munathara) to implement Musabaqat Munathara #DD9, a debate competition dedicated to the youth of Syria. Syrian youth may take part by submitting a video of up to 99 seconds, detailing their vision for Syria and a proposal for a way forward.

Ten winners will be determined by online voting, and will be invited to a two-day intensive debate-skills-training in Istanbul from 16-18 September 2013. After the training, the participants will be part of a live debate panel with major political figures, which will also take place in Istanbul.

During the two days of outreach workshops in August 2013, aiming to encourage Syrian youth to participate in the Musabaqat Munathara #DD9, participants received training on successful debate techniques and styles of debate, and were given the opportunity to directly record their 99-second videos stating their perspective on the future of Syria.

The outreach activities are part of implementing the Youth Leaders of Tomorrow project, taken by GPoT Center in cooperation with Munathara, which aims to prepare Syrian youth for their role as participatory citizens that have an active voice in a future open and transparent Syria. The project gives Syrian youth the opportunity to present their positions and debate democratic principles as well as to work together in a democratic environment, identity common needs, build consensus, and advocate for a better future.