What Others Have Said About The Program...

" It was a wonderful opportunity for me to travel to Denmark and debate with Danish students. That was probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me."
Eugene Kobiako, University of Washington student (2010)

"We all enjoyed the debates and your visit very much. It was an outstanding experience for our students. The debates were very inspiring; we are definitely going to continue doing debates."
Birgitte Prytz Claussen, Teacher and Debate Coach, Risskov Gymnasium (2010)

"Thank you for the debates! The students are still talking about it and they thought it went great!
Jeanna Alsdotter, Teacher, Rungsted Gymnasium (2010)

"I feel that it is crucial that new generations of Americans and French take up the torch of peace and continue to pursue the noble task of strengthening the French-U.S. friendship that has existed for so long. As a people-to-people project, the Youth Debates Program is the type of educational and cultural diplomacy between our two countries that will develop the bond and promote understanding and cooperation far into the future."
Jean-David LEVITTE, Former French Ambassador to the United States (2004)

"We greatly appreciate the important contributions of the France-USA Youth Debates to build stronger bonds between French and American young people through a strong commitment to debate and a promise to pursue constructive dialogue in the future."
Senator Mary Landrieu & Senator Susan Collins, Bipartisan Co-Chairs
Rep. Jim Oberstar, Rep. John Boozman, U.S. Congressional French Caucus (2009)

"The France-USA Youth Debates brings a new generation of American and French citizens together to explore each other's culture and to learn from each other.Through dialogue and personal exchange, our youth will contribute to strengthening the bonds of friendship between our two countries."
Howard H. Leach, Former U.S. Ambassador to France (2004)

"I am one-hundred percent certain that we are going to make history. Friendship and solidarity will triumph at the end of the debates."
Juan Carlos Frometa, International Relations, Union Of Young Communists, Havana, (1998)

"The debates are a shining example of President Clinton's plan to increase people-to-people contacts between U.S. citizens and Cubans."
Lawrence Corwin, Former Acting Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Interests Section Havana, (1999)

"The USA Youth Debates program gives participants an unforgettable education. As a French partner who has worked with this program, I know that the students enjoyed the experiences of 2004 and again in 2009. Attending the D-Day Ceremonies will be a day they will not soon forget. "
Eve Hilairet, M2 Franco Américain / MBA program assistant Iae - Centre Franco Américain Université de Caen Basse Normandie

"It was an honor to accompany the USA Youth Debates team to France in 2009 and 2004.  Our students were outstanding ambassadors for their country and returned as goodwill ambassadors for France, able to speak first hand of the importance of cultural exchanges.  I can think of no better way to improve language skills and broaden the world view of today's youth than through a life changing experience such as this."
Judy Black, French Teacher,  Pine View School for the Gifted,  Opsrey, Florida

"The debates in Cuba were a life-changing experience for me. To get the chance to exchange ideas with other students from a government that is so different than mine was fascinating and eye-opening. I will never have another opportunity like that one."
Heather Rice, Student Leader, Portland, Oregon

"The USA Youth Debates was a great opportunity to exchange information, meet new people, and above all form lasting relationships. By developing this understanding and these relationships among the youth, I hope that others will follow suit. All in all, it was a wonderful chance to learn about others and expand our horizons."
Iris A. Hoxha, Student Participant, France 2009

" The event is creating such a buzz! The debaters network in Algeria is on fire, we are receiving questions, people want to know more, to get involved."
Sami Loucif, Youth Coordinator, Oran and Algiers, Algeria. 2014

"While debating in Arabic was very difficult, I learned so much from the debates about how different parts of the world take different perspectives on issues. I've become interested in topics I've never thought of before speaking with such brilliant opponents and teammates."
Haley Lepp, Student Participant, USA-MAGHREB Youth Debates, 2014

" Though I've been living here for seven months( studying Arabic on a State Department scholarship) never before had I the opportunity to meet so many Moroccans who were so passionate and open."
Evan Grennon, Student Participant, USA-MAGHREB Youth Debates, 2014