ICNY’s “Debate in the Neighborhood” is in full swing in Queens. A collaboration of ICNY and the International Debate Education Association (IDEA), and funded by Open Society Youth Initiative, Debate in the Neighborhood aims to engage immigrant and first-generation students in the enriching educational tradition of debate, and to foster understanding, cooperation, and a free and lively exchange of ideas among young New Yorkers from diverse cultures, ethnicities and religious traditions. The program began this month, involving three youth groups in Queens, including the Sikh Cultural Society and Gurdwara (95-30, 118th St., Richmond Hill, New York), where these photos were taken.
Other participating groups include the Jamaica Muslim Center and Hindu Temple Society of North America. Students from the Sikh Cultural Society and Gurdwara are participating in partnership with UNITED SIKHS.
In this beginning phase of the program, each of the youth groups meet separately to learn about debate techniques. On April 9 and 10, the three groups will assemble together for the first time, where each student will be assigned to a 3-member team. For several weeks thereafter, each team will hone their debate skills and teamwork capabilities, in preparation for the final tournament, a public event which will take place on May 20.
Watch our blog, follow us on Twitter, or like us on Facebook to keep up with this project as it develops.
For more information contact Kevin Childress at (212) 870-3510 or kevin@interfaithcenter.org.
