For the first time, young debaters from the Kurdistan Region participated in the prestigious Qatar Debate Open BP, marking a significant milestone for Kurdish youth representation on an international stage.
Supported and sponsored by Kurdistan Foundation, Azya Khalid Hassan (16) from Sulaimaniyah and Yara Hersh Saed (17) from Erbil took part in the two-day championship held on 3–4 October 2025 in Doha, bringing Kurdish voices into one of the Middle East’s most competitive debate platforms.
The participation resulted in a remarkable achievement, with Azya Khalid Hassan awarded Second Best Speaker in the International Schools Category, an unprecedented recognition for a participant from the Kurdistan Region. Her performance stood out among international competitors, highlighting both her individual talent and the growing potential of Kurdish youth in global academic forums.
Yara Hersh Saed, meanwhile, continued to demonstrate strong public speaking and analytical skills that have already gained recognition at home. Earlier December, she presented the “TenProblemsTenSolutions” initiative during the Kurdistan Foundation Anniversary, a presentation that showcased her ability to translate complex societal challenges into clear, solution-oriented dialogue. Her participation at Qatar Debate further reinforced her role as a promising young voice in structured debate and youth leadership.
The Qatar Debate Open BP, organized by Qatar Debate, is a flagship program under Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development that brings together young debaters from across the world. The competition aims to strengthen critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and intercultural understanding among youth through British Parliamentary (BP) debate format.
For the Kurdistan Foundation, sponsoring this participation aligns with its broader mission to empower young people, promote cultural exchange, and amplify Kurdish representation internationally.
Beyond competition results, participation carries long-term impact. Both Azya and Yara return to the Kurdistan Region as ambassadors of dialogue and critical thinking, expected to inspire peers, encourage youth participation in intellectual spaces, and contribute to a culture of constructive debate.
