In co-operation with the Arab Cultural House (The Diwan) in Germany, QatarDebate wrapped up the Adjudicators Academy on Sunday.
Held in Berlin, Germany for three days, the event is part of ongoing efforts to enhance debating skills in Arabic within Germany and expand the debate community in Europe.
The programme prepared participants to become professional debating judges and coaches, and included a range of advanced practical activities and discussions on matters such as managing judging sessions efficiently, addressing potential issues that could pop up during debates, and making sound and objective judgments.
Debate instructor at QatarDebate Center Abdulrahman Alkubaisi said that the event provided rich and carefully tailored training content to enhance individual and collective skills in debate judging and coaching.
Alkubaisi added that participants learned how to analyse debates and assess the arguments and evidence presented by various parties, in addition to being subjected to a practical test in the form of a mock debate.
In turn, the Director General of the Arab Cultural House Dr Lawrence al-Hanawi stressed the importance of the Adjudicators Academy in cultivating a culture of discussion and dialogue. He encouraged participants from various backgrounds to exchange opinions and perspectives in a civilized manner and to promote constructive critical dialogue on contemporary issues affecting society.
Al Hanawi praised QatarDebate's pivotal role in promoting dialogue and constructive discussion, adding that through its rich programmes, the centre has truly become a haven for free debate and a platform for promoting the Arabic language.
The director general of the Arab Cultural House expressed his hope for further co-operation in the form of more joint training and qualifying programmes for judges and coaches in both Arabic and German, in addition to launching Arab-German cultural and civilisational dialogues under the umbrella of the Oasis of Dialogue.
Moreover, he emphasised the importance of investing in the youth by expanding their knowledge and developing their skills.
Al-Hanawi said that the Arab Cultural House's vision is to bring the Arabic and German cultures closer together, serving as a platform for constructive dialogue and cultural exchange.
He noted that it offers more than 16 cultural programmes, ranging from Arabic language courses and teaching Arabic musical instruments, to films, photography workshops, and theatre, in addition to issuing the Der Divan cultural magazine in both Arabic and German which features a selection of academics.
Al-Hanawi added that the Arab Cultural House also offers various workshops, discussion circles, an audio and podcast library, and translating of Arabic books into German, among others.
