Amal has always believed in the importance of debate and initiated the Amal Debate Program in 2005. For the last five years, Amal has collaborated with the Ministry of Education and the U.S. Embassy in the implementation of Israel’s National Debate Program in junior high schools throughout the country.
This program was developed by Amal’s English Department with the aim of fostering greater tolerance for the viewpoints of others. It brings together students from different sectors of Israeli society and gives them the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics in a thoughtful, creative and respectful manner. The debate tournament and, more importantly the training leading up to it, provides students with essential skills and tools and helps develop logical and critical thinking. The program improves students’ overall fluency in the English language and in particular their ability to communicate in spoken English. Implemented in Amal schools since 2005, the program includes a series of workshops and culminates in a final debate between students. The program is partially funded by the United States Embassy (Tel Aviv) and is carried out in cooperation with the Israel Debating Society.
In order to further expand this program, each additional group of 30 students will cost $1,600.