The highest level of parliamentary debate:
Public speaking, argumentation and leadership.
The DSDC Foundation selects and prepares the National Selection of high school debaters. We offer debate education year-round to gifted high school students. Our speakers represent The Netherlands at the World Schools Debating Championships and other international debate tournaments.
Join the national debate team!
In June of 2023 we will organise our next selection event, for students who are interested in joining the national selection of high school debaters.This academy, with workshops in public speaking and argumentation, is the gateway for students in The Netherlands to the global debate scene. After the event, the most promising students will be invited to join the national selection of high school debaters.
Requirements to attend:
– Pursuing a HAVO/VWO or IB degree
– One or more years of schooling left before graduation
– Can read a newspaper and conduct a conversation in English
For more information visit our ‘Apply’ page.
Young inspirational speakers
Students from the national selection of high school debaters are advanced public speakers, who range from the age of 12 to 18. If you are interested in inviting our students to present a show-debate or a keynote speech at your event, please get in touch.
Receive information about the National Selection of high school debaters
Note: If you want to sign up for one of our Open Days, use the form on our application page
Awards
Our coaching staff consists of awardwinning speakers, including multiple Dutch National Champions and European and World Finalists.
Team Netherlands has won numerous awards:
– Top English as a Foreign Language Team (2010, 2011, 2014, 2019)
– Top English as a Foreign Language Speaker (2013, 2015)
– Top 25 speakers of the world
Our alumni continue their journey at…
Track Structure
1. Selection events
Two times a year we organise selection events for students that want to find out more about debating. During these days students receive a workshop about parliamentary debate or current affairs, and participate in several World Schools style debates. We receive many more applications than we have spots, so entry is competitive. For more information, visit our application page.
2. National Selection
At the World Schools Academy, the most promising students will be invited to join the National Selection. The National Selection is an intensive program. Students work on debate between 6 and 12 hours a week. The National Selection comes together every week on the weekend to practice debate. The group is divided into several ‘tracks’ according to age and ability. All tracks have a dedicated coachings team. This allows us to cater the learning experience to the individual needs of students. Students participate in international debate tournaments twice every year.
3. World Championships Team
The four or five best students of the National Selection will represent The Netherlands at the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC). WSDC is the largest schools debating competition in the world, hosting more than 50 national teams annually. This year, WSDC is held in Sri Lanka. The competition has recently visited Indonesia, Singapore, Germany and Thailand.
