The John R. Park Debate Society Launches Refugee Community Debate League

The University of Utah’s John R. Park Debate Society is collaborating with the Utah Department of Workforce Services to launch the team’s first community debate league. This year’s league is aimed at recruiting high school students from refugee backgrounds. With support from the Department of Communication, the Debate Society is extending its traditional community outreach, focused on public debates and formal high school/collegiate competitions, in the form of an after-school program.

For years, the Debate Society has hosted clinics and events tailored to the high schoolers of Utah, but to expand that outreach the Refugee Community Debate League has been introduced. For 10-12 weeks, students will receive instruction on the basic skills needed to participate in academic debate and forensics competition. The program will end with an on-campus tournament where students can showcase their skills in competition and visit the University of Utah. Instruction will be provided by members of the Debate Society and the topics debated will be developed in cooperation with the participating students. The goal of the program is to help students gain stronger critical thinking, speaking, and writing skills while helping create pathways for these students to attend the University of Utah.