The story of the International Debate Education Association (IDEA)
begins in 1989, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the disintegration of
communism across Central and Eastern Europe. At that time, a new age was heralded for the
region, and the world. Yet amidst celebrations and an air of enormous promise, change was
not forthcoming.
Economic growth and social change -- with specific regard to education -- remained
stagnant. Antiquated methods of teaching, rooted in the notion that only one truth existed (that
of the State), and coupled with a lack of dialogue, underscored frustratingly slow progress and bred
discontent among a generation of youth that had anticipated so much more.
Disenchantment among the population – especially among students -- was palpable, as evidenced by a precipitous
drop in the reading of newspapers, voting, running for elected office, and following politics. In 1994, in an
effort to stem this tide of apathy and push for a more rapid transition to democracy, The Open Society
Institute (OSI) launched its first network debate program.
The Need for Debate
Although debate was an entirely new phenomenon to these countries, it provided an invaluable means
for students to express opinions, to meet and discuss important issues, and in short, to become informed
citizens. On a larger scale, school debate programs offered opportunities for students to participate
in an ongoing, open, and critical exchange of ideas while learning about minorities and different cultures
within their own countries.
The OSI debate program was an immediate success, and its growth was rapid. At the secondary school
level, debate clubs popped up all over Central and Eastern Europe. In 1997, university students were
encouraged to participate in international debate tournaments; this was the first step towards a closely-knit
international debate community which crossed national, political, and ethnic boundaries.
The Formation of the International Debate Education Association
In 1999, as a means to coordinate its now numerous debate programs and activities, and to develop international
standards regarding debate, OSI created an independent international body -- The International
Debate Education Association.
Since its inception, IDEA has grown from a collection of debate clubs into the
pre-eminent global debate organization, touching the lives of over 70,000 secondary school students,
15,000 university students and 13,000 teachers in 27 countries. Having introduced debate throughout
Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Central Asia and Haiti, IDEA continues
to expand and thrive, bringing its ideals of freedom of expression, tolerance, and open society to communities
across the globe.
