TIRANA – Head of RYCO Local Branch Office in Albania Mr Kreshnik Loka took part at the big finals of the “Re-Debate 5.1, National Championship Debate” on Wednesday, 30 June. After more than 10 months, with more than 300 debates on national level and more than 1500 young people involved, it all came down to two high schools, “Sami Frashëri” and “Protagonistët”, competing for the first prize in the art of debating. The final match was transmitted on national TV in Albania and was followed by schools, young people as well as the organizations that supported this project.
During this fourth edition of the program, RYCO was one of the supporters of the event by providing expertise in delivering the training for teachers and for the judges of the debates.
“I want to thank all the young people that participated in this project for their great performance and professionalism. Moreover, a warm thank you and lots of recognition goes to the teachers that guided them. In our daily work with teachers, we at RYCO, understand how passion and devotion are needed from the pedagogical staff to work after hours and to be a real mentor to the students,” Mr Loka stated in his address during the event.
The art of debating stands in the roots of democracy and is the only form of growth in healthy societies. Through raising the capacities of young people to cultivate their critical thinking, team work, communication and other important skills we are laying the basis for better communities and stronger change-makers. The winner of this year’s debate championship in Albania is the high school from Tirana “Protagonistët”, but as it was said many times during the event and based on the performances of the best four high schools, all of them have won, one way or another.
The debates were organized with the “Re-Debate 5.1, Reviving a Culture of Interaction and Activism” which aims to help the young debaters in developing their communications skills, critical thinking as well as to encourage tolerance and respect over various ideas and increase the interest of the young people towards the current events. This project is implemented by Liburnetik Organization with the support of the Open Society Foundation for Albania, the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth of Albania, National Youth Congress of Albania, UNICEF Albania, UNFPA Albania, RYCO, Municipality of Tirana, Tibo, Bukinist and One Telecommunications.
Photos: Re-Debate, Kampionati Kombëtar i Debatit