There are many benefits to participating in high school debate. One of the greatest advantages is obtaining useful knowledge about the International population. While most other high school students are talking about their friend’s latest Instagram post, debate students are actively studying the problems and events that currently affect the global community.

MIT News says, “Students say debate prepares them to work in a global community by teaching them about social, political, and moral issues.” Debate students are introduced to worldwide topics that they may otherwise have never known about.

The workplace is now more interconnected than ever. There are business collaborations across countries, and in various disciplines. Students who have obtained worldly knowledge through debate are at a higher advantage than their non-debate counterparts. Not only will high school debate students possess the skills to efficiently and effectively communicate across borders, but they will also be well informed about the area’s social, political, and economical climate.

It is no surprise that students who participate in high school debate are poised to be the world leaders of tomorrow. Having profound knowledge about global cultures, languages, environmental, and social systems is essential in creating connections between diverse cultures. The future depends on communities working together with a shared knowledge of policies and specific goals.

Debate teaches high school students to not only fight for their side of the argument, but to also listen and understand their opponent’s position. That is exactly the kind of cooperation and consideration the global community needs in order to thrive.

Participating in high school debate allows students to step outside of the world they presently live in and engage in outreach, constructive argumentation, current events, and critical thinking. By promoting global topics for discussion and debate, students are able to discover new ideas, overturn negative assumptions about another culture, and reach out to the global community for answers. Debate provides a platform for International relations amongst students, lawmakers, and policy deciders.