Doha, May 12 – QatarDebate Center

QatarDebate Center, founded by Qatar Foundation (QF), has announced it will host the second edition of the International Conference on Debate and Dialogue (ICDD) on May 19 and 20 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).

The ICDD, which brings together elite debaters, youth dialogue leaders from around the world, as well as prominent researchers and academics, aims to foster rich intellectual and scientific dialogue that bridges academic research with contemporary knowledge issues and expands its application in both academic and societal contexts.

QatarDebate stated that the ICDD seeks to promote a global culture of debate and employ dialogue as a tool for community development. It also aims to establish a high-level academic platform that enriches the fields of argumentation and debate, intersecting with disciplines such as philosophy, education, linguistics, and Islamic studies. The conference further focuses on utilizing research findings to improve cognitive practices across academic and social spheres.

The event will host distinguished academics and researchers from around the world. Notably, Prof. Christopher W. Tindale from the University of Windsor in Canada will speak on the first day on the topic “How Others Argue: Cross-Cultural Argumentation as a Vehicle of Understanding”.

On the second day, Prof. Hammou Nakari from Morocco’s Mohammed V University will present “The Logic of Disputation”.

This year’s edition builds on the success of the inaugural conference held in 2023, which welcomed over 800 participants from Qatar and abroad, marking a strong launch and establishing the event’s global intellectual standing.

Programs Director at QatarDebate Abdulrahman Al Subaie emphasized that the second ICDD reinforces the Center’s leading role in promoting a culture of dialogue both regionally and internationally. He noted that the event represents a qualitative leap, further cementing QatarDebate’s position as a global platform for constructive dialogue and aligning with its mission to support scientific research in this field.

The previous edition featured the signing of several cooperation agreements with internationally recognized institutions. The upcoming conference is also expected to witness the signing of new agreements and strategic partnerships.

The first day of the conference will feature several parallel sessions, including: “Munazara in Islamic Manuscripts” (in collaboration with Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University (FSMVU)), “Best Practices in Debate Training”, “Argumentation: Theoretical Perspectives and Models”, “Debate Formats: Cultural Variations and Educational Outcomes”, “Discourse and Argumentation in Political Conflicts”, and “Jadal and Munazara: Applications in Islamic Jurisprudence and Thought”.

Additional sessions will explore themes such as improving debate adjudication practices, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into debate education, the impact of debate on academic and cognitive skill development, case studies of political debates in the Arab world, and the historical and legislative dimensions of jurisprudential argumentation.

Day two will continue with sessions addressing a range of intellectual themes, including: “Argumentation: Arab and Islamic Perspectives”, “The Impact of Debate on Enhancing Critical Thinking and Language Learning”, “The Use of AI in Argumentation: Limitations and Possibilities”, “Reimagining Education Through Debate: Insights and Case Studies”, and “Behind the Panel: Exploring the Practice and Philosophy of Debate Judging”.

In parallel with the academic sessions, the conference will feature events highlighting youth leadership. A group of young dialogue leaders will present a youth dialogue forum that addresses major global issues.

In addition, the conference will host a unique interactive exhibition in partnership with Jordan’s Crown Prince Foundation (CPF). The exhibit will feature rare historical and cultural manuscripts on the art of debate in Islamic civilization, in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Culture, FSMVU, and with technical support from Qatar Museums (QM), which is overseeing the exhibition’s design.

The second ICDD also benefits from prestigious academic partnerships with several institutions, including the University of Windsor (Canada), FSMVU and Ibn Haldun University (Turkiye), and Ez-Zitouna University (Tunisia).