QatarDebate takes part in the UN’s Global Goals Week activities

Doha – Qatar Debate Center

Through the global methodology of QatarDebate Center – a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development – the center organized, via Zoom, a debate entitled “Is Multilateralism a successful or a failed experiment?” on September 25, with 200 attendees.

It coincided with the activities of the United Nations Global Goals Week on the theme of “global challenges, local solutions”, as this year’s issue was based on the events of 2020 and the changes and divergence of opinions that occurred.

Among the most important points that were discussed was that pluralism succeeded in achieving peace and security at the global level.

The speakers are from Qatar and the United States of America

The participants were Ahmed Al-Naimi – a Qatar Academy alumni and a former captain of the Qatar National Debating Team 2018/2019; Al-Anoud Al-Thani – a Qatar Academy alumni and leader of the Qatar National Debating Team 2019/2020; Tariq Al Hammadi – a Qatar Academy alumni and leader of the Qatar National Debating Team 2014/2015; Michell Nehme – a Harvard student and the first speaker and a semi-finalist of the World University Debating Championship; Aditya Dahr – a student at Harvard University and among the top ten speakers and a semi-finalist of the World University Championships; and finally Paloma O’Conner – a student at Harvard University and chairman of the Harvard College Debating Federation.

The debate was run by Coach Mubarrat Wassey – QatarDebate Center – who said: “I was honored to manage the debate that took place between the best debaters at Harvard and the State of Qatar. One of the most important outcomes of the debate was the change in the audience’s views before and after the debate. This drew my attention to the fact that the audience had a background and an opinion on the issue, but they wanted to listen to the intellectual debate between the debaters and reprogram the views on their position on the issues at hand.”

He continued: “The debate’s course, and the refutation of issues and the proposals that took place were the alarm that confirmed the importance of intellectual discussions and the hope that communicating ideas to people and presenting views is a proof to reconsider the public’s concepts and preconceived ideas.”

The participants presented their ideas and evidence with a logical analysis away from bias and dispersion as examples of wars and conflicts and stages of success and failure.

They affirmed that Multilateralism, despite the difference of opinions, contributes to deepening the concept of global citizenship, and creates a positive climate for tolerance and acceptance of the other opinion with different culture and belonging.

They also showed that coexistence with multilateralism reduces isolation in the global community and prevents creating groups characterized by rigid mindsets that are not subject to change and peaceful coexistence.

The majority agreed on the importance of multilateralism in developing individuals, groups and societies, as it increases understanding of others, so that the individual becomes part of the global community.

The most important point in the dialogue was the role of major international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the Security Council in deepening and implementing multilateralism. They could contribute by supporting reforms, developing regulations and laws, holding global conferences and multicultural events that create opportunities to meet new people from different parts of the world and learn more about their cultures and customs and thus promote the concept of global citizenship in the individual.

We, in turn, ask:

To what degree is there multilateralism around us? Is there Multilateralism in our schools, our work environment, and our lives in general?

Thanks to those who contributed to the organization, preparation and success of this event, and thanks to the attendees and to those who participated in the survey and provided their opinion.