Debate Mate has run in Rwanda since 2012 and works in partnership with Never Again Rwanda, an organisation dedicated to guiding citizens to become agents of positive change through education programmes and development.

Debate Mate International aids Never Again Rwanda in its mission statement: “To enhance citizens’ capacity to analyze the root causes of conflict, facilitate dialogue and appreciate diversity among citizens“ through developing students‘ confidence, public speaking and communication skills as well as prooting social mobility.

“Debate Mate is a unique, international educational charity dedicated to improving social mobility using cost-effective peer-to-peer debate mentoring.

We run after school debating clubs in areas of high child poverty, facilitated by students at the best universities, which give disadvantaged young people the skills they need to become exceptional young leaders – confidence, interpersonal communication skills and higher order thinking.

We have a strong global presence, operating programmes in Nepal, Africa, Jamaica, the Middle East, and the United States.

We also run bespoke workshops for teachers looking to integrate debating into their classrooms and specialised training for students who want to “debate like a world champion.”

By teaching debating through peer-to-peer mentoring, we empower and inspire participants and provide them with powerful role models to raise their aspirations.”