From Learner to Mentor: University Student Brings Debate to High Schoolers at Cluj Hungarian Days
Although the Debating for Diversity project is designed primarily for university students, its impact is already reaching beyond campus walls. At this year’s Cluj Hungarian Days, an MCC student who has been training within the Erasmus+ project turned from participant into mentor—bringing the art of debate to curious high school students.
A Workshop for Young Voices
On a late afternoon, from 16:30 to 18:00, a classroom filled with anticipation as the event “Let’s Debate!” welcomed high schoolers eager to test their skills in argumentation. The session began with an introduction to the basics: how to structure arguments, how to respond to counterpoints, and how to speak with confidence even when nerves strike.
The workshop promised exactly what its title suggested: a space to learn, practice, and most importantly, to be heard. With only ten active participants allowed due to space, others followed attentively from the audience—proving that debate has the power to capture attention even from the sidelines.
From Student to Teacher
The session was led by Simon Krisztián, a law student and participant in MCC’s University Program. Just months earlier, he himself had been on the receiving end of debate training through Debating for Diversity. Now, he was guiding younger students through the same journey.
“It was surreal,” Krisztián shared afterwards.
I remember how nervous I was during my first debate. Today, I was the one encouraging high school students to overcome that same fear.
This moment highlighted the multiplier effect of the project: skills gained at university level are not confined there—they spread, inspire, and take root in new communities.
A First Step Into Public Speaking
For the high school participants, the experience was both challenging and exhilarating. They were asked to defend their viewpoints, to think on their feet, and to convince not only their peers but also an attentive audience.
One high school student commented:
I never thought I could speak in front of so many people. But once I started, I realized it wasn’t scary—it was empowering.
Building a Culture of Dialogue
This small but impactful event demonstrated the broader vision of the Debating for Diversity project: to build a culture where dialogue and critical thinking are not luxuries, but everyday tools. By giving young people the chance to debate in a safe, supportive environment, the project is helping to plant the seeds of civic engagement long before university life begins.
As the Cluj Hungarian Days audience applauded the young debaters, it was clear: debate has the power to transform not only individuals, but entire communities.