2019-05-07

 I’lam’s five-month-long youth leadership program culminated Tuesday in a competitive debate on prime issues facing young Palestinians, from whether to boycott Israeli student unions to if Palestinian political parties marginalize women. The debate was held in the Faculty of Medicine with the support of the German Hans-Seidel Foundation.

For five months a select group of 14 students learned diverse leadership strategies and public speaking skills. They met dozens of times for trainings and workshops, learning new techniques and discussing key issues. Earlier competitions were monitored and evaluated by professionals to prepare the students for the final competition Tuesday.

Tuesday’s competition opened with a Karl-Popper style debate on the thesis: “This council demands Arab student movements boycott the student union in Israeli universities.” Young leaders were split into two teams, one for and one against the resolution. Debates were formatted to allow for extended audience participation. The issues were selected to address key issues in Palestinian students encounter at Israeli universities, but young leaders’ arguments don’t necessarily reflect their views.

The second debate focused on the position: “This council believes that Palestinian parties inside Israel contribute to the marginalization of women.”

The participants’ performance was assessed according to a standard criteria by a referee committee composed of trainer Najwan Birqdar and Prof. Amal Jamal.

Suha Turkman won first place with the highest score over course of the leadership project. Fadi Far won second place and Yara Abu Al-Hija took third place.

The winners were presented in front of the participants and their families by I’lam Director Kholod Musalha at the end of the night.

I’lam stresses its keenness to continue to communicate with young people, and to encourage and stimulate them collectively through future projects in this and other fields.