Daring Debates on Environment & Democracy

This debate is part of the global Daring Debates program put on this year by Difficult Dialogues and tve. This U.S. debate round is also organized in partnership with Eco.Logic. Difficult Dialogues is an annual 3-day forum to discuss issues relevant to South Asia. This year DD is partnering with tve (television for the environment), a London-based organization that develop and produces environmental films, to host a global program from November 16-20th, full of films, discussions, debates, and discovery of policy solutions on the theme of environment and sustainability with a global focus.

The program includes the final international round of Daring Debate, to highlight the voice and role of youth in forming policy solutions to today's biggest challenges.

The finalists from this U.S. debate will go on to represent the U.S. in the final international round on November 16th, 2020, which has a $1,000 cash prize. This year all events will be held virtually online. The international finals will involve another topic on the theme of environment and democracy.

We encourage all those interested to apply, even if you have never debated before! This is a great opportunity to practice public speaking skills and engage in a topical, critical discussion taking place globally exploring the role democracy can play in climate change activism.

The United States Debate Round

Format of the debate:

• Public forum style debate - we will follow these rules: https://debate.uvm.edu/dcpdf/PFNFL.pdf
• The debate will take place online via tabroom on Saturday, October 24th, 2020
• The topic: Subverting democratic processes to respond to the existential threat of the climate crisis is justified.

Registration Information:

• Registration is free.
• Any student currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in the U.S. is eligible to participate.
• You must register as a team of two (each team should register together on one ticket).
• Registration closes Saturday, October 3rd, 2020.

Why you should enter:

• An opportunity to represent the youth voice in a global event with like-minded, passionate youth.
• A chance to advance to the international finals and debate alongside youth from India, Nepal, Myanmar, the UK, Africa and Sri Lanka.
• Debate in front of judges doing important, exciting work in U.S. environmental advocacy and politics.
• The winning team of the international round will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize

Judges and Speakers

• Jacob Carter, Research Scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists, Center for Science and Democracy
• Stay tuned for others to be announced!

For questions or more information please email Surbhi Sarang at surbhi.k.sarang@gmail.com.

To watch the Debates

• If you are interested in tuning in for the debates on October 24th as a non-participant, you can also select the appropriate ticket option to do so. More information about how to watch will be circulated closer to the event date.
• You can also keep up with updates through our facebook event HERE.

More information about the global event:

From November 16 to 20 th , tve (television for the environment) will join forces with India-based Difficult Dialogues to produce a thought-provoking and inspiring week-long online event that will include dialogues, debates and film, with around 60 and 90 minutes of environment and sustainability content each day.

Check https://gsfa.tve.org/ for details on the November program!

tve Global Sustainability Film Awards (GSFA)

The tve Global Sustainability Film Awards (GSFA) recognises outstanding films from the business, non-profit, media and creative sectors that inspire audiences with real-world solutions for a more sustainable future. Film is a powerful tool for raising public awareness, shifting public opinion and inspiring action. The GSFA seeks to promote effective, credible solutions-oriented storytelling about environmental and sustainability issues. The GSFA, which also raises funds for tve’s work, is unique because film submissions are judged both on the quality of their storytelling and the credibility of the sustainability solutions they depict. The different categories recognise different types of storytelling formats which speak to different audiences, from explanatory films by businesses to news stories and campaigning films. The winning films are selected by a tve-appointed independent shortlisting panel and judging panel, composed of both sustainability specialists and film/communications experts.

Partnering with Difficult Dialogues

in 2020 India-based Difficult Dialogues is an annual 3-day forum about themes of contemporary relevance. Now in its 6th year, Difficult Dialogues comprises intensive discussions on a different theme every year between diverse stakeholders including academics, young talents, celebrities, activists, politicians and leaders from the media, business and international organisations. This year, the dialogues will be held online, in conjunction with the GSFA, and will focus on environmental themes. Also featured during the week will be the final of Daring Debates, a debate competition run by Difficult Dialogues aimed at engaging youth from across the world in policy ideation. The grand finale of the 2020 competition will be held on the first day of the awards, involving young people from India, Nepal, Myanmar, UK, and Sri Lanka.