Tribune News Network
Doha
A cohort of 33 emerging leaders from around the world, including several young people studying and working in Qatar, have been selected to participate in the 2023 Ambassador Programme offered by Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates. Cohort members will work with renowned facilitation experts and international guest speakers to develop advanced communication skills, learning to engage in productive, solutions-oriented dialogue around complex global issues.
Furthering Doha Debates’ mission to empower young people to bridge differences and build consensus through discussion and debate, the 12-week programme hones ambassadors’ facilitation and negotiation skills as they tackle critical issues like climate change, gender equality and disability justice, seeking to find common ground with peers who have diverse worldviews.
Beyond developing productive intercultural communication, ambassadors form lifelong connections with one another and are also invited to stay engaged with Doha Debates long after the programme concludes through participation in events like debates, town halls and special events. Doha Debates recently announced that the new season of their flagship debate programme—which has previously included ambassadors in its live studio audience—will be hosted by acclaimed comedian and actor Mo Amer, star of the Netflix comedy “Mo.”
The 2023 Ambassador Programme welcomes a select group of students from QF partner universities Georgetown University in Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar, and Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, as well as the American School of Doha. These aspiring leaders join a cohort that represents 17 countries across four continents, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Uganda, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Botswana, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo and the US.
Amjad Atallah, managing director of Doha Debates, said, “The Ambassador Programme has seen incredible success since its launch in 2021, and we’re excited to welcome a third cohort of dedicated future leaders.
We’re looking forward to helping them develop the solutions-oriented dialogue and debate skills that are so urgently necessary in this era of unprecedented polarization. We congratulate the new cohort and thank Qatar Foundation for continuing to support this one-of-a-kind initiative.”
Doha Debates’ Ambassador Programme is facilitated in partnership with Shared_Studios, a global, purpose-driven startup using innovative technology to build connections and enable collaboration anywhere in the world.
