Saudi-Based Student Team Secures Top 64 Position in International Debate Event
Dhahran — A trio of students from the American School Dhahran has advanced to the top 64 teams in the 25th International Public Policy Forum, marking a significant achievement for the school and placing them among the leading youth debaters worldwide.
The team is composed of Jayden Lee, Jiseong Chung and Raahim Lone, who now stand as the only group representing a school in Saudi Arabia to reach this stage, keeping them in contention for an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City and a grand prize of $10,000.
The 2025 edition of the competition drew 332 teams from 30 U.S. states and 39 countries, including Pakistan, the UAE, the UK, China and Japan, forming the largest and most internationally diverse qualifying round in the event’s history.
The International Public Policy Forum, sponsored by the Brewer Foundation and New York University, is recognized as the only global debate contest combining written and oral advocacy, giving students a platform to engage in policy-oriented discussions that mirror real-world diplomatic exchanges.
The Dhahran team’s progress reflects strong analytical skills, the ability to craft detailed policy arguments and a disciplined approach to research, allowing them to stand out in a field filled with academically competitive institutions from around the world.
With their advancement into the top 64, the students now move into written single-elimination rounds, during which teams exchange essays via email, forming a rigorous test of their depth of research, argument structure, and persuasive writing.
This year’s debate topic focuses on the global education crisis, pushing participants to evaluate whether major economies should adopt a bold policy aimed at reshaping international support for primary and secondary education.
Teams are debating the resolution:
“The Group of 20 Nations should levy a global education tax equal to 1 percent of each member country’s gross domestic product to establish a dedicated international organization that supports the provision of universal, free, quality primary and secondary education.”
Organizers selected the topic to encourage students to confront global inequality, structural barriers in education systems and the potential economic impacts of a coordinated international funding mechanism involving some of the world’s largest economies.
As the competition marks its 25th year, leaders of the forum noted that the program’s longevity is rooted in the dedication of students who commit to months of research and strategy, often balancing academic rigor with a passion for policy debate.
The chairman of the Brewer Foundation and the advisory board emphasized that the event celebrates a generation ready to engage in constructive dialogue and eager to contribute to global problem-solving through well-informed argumentation.
As the rounds continue, the field will gradually narrow from 64 teams to the “Elite 8,” who will earn an invitation to New York City to participate in the in-person finals at New York University.
These final rounds challenge students to shift from written formats to live debate, where they must respond instantly to questions, defend their claims under scrutiny and present coherent arguments before expert judges.
The IPPF Finals are scheduled for April 18, 2026, at NYU School of Law, where the winning team will receive the Brewer Cup, concluding a months-long international competition that tests academic discipline, critical thinking and advocacy skills.
For the Dhahran-based students, advancing to the top tier of a global contest highlights both individual excellence and the increasing prominence of student talent emerging from Saudi Arabia’s schools in international academic forums.
Their success reflects growing regional investment in education, debate programs and youth development—areas that continue to expand opportunities for students to participate on the world stage and build skills aligned with global engagement and leadership.
