Newsweek Reports on Brewer Foundation/NYU IPPF World Champion
May 9, 2023 – Newsweek reported today on the finals of the Brewer Foundation/NYU International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) – a global debate contest for high school students. As reported, the team from Potomac Oak of Rockville, Maryland was crowned the 2023 IPPF World Champion during the debate finals on May 6, 2023. The school won a $10,000 grand prize from the Brewer Foundation and the “Brewer Cup.” The Hockaday School from Dallas, Texas was runner-up.
As reported by Newsweek, “William Brewer, a lawyer and co-founder of the Brewer Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization that manages a variety of educational outreach programs in connection with the Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors law firm, and John Sexton, a debate coach, law professor and former NYU president, started the IPPF as a free contest that combines written and oral debate on international policy issues.”
Hockaday debater Sanika Agarwalla won the inaugural John E. Sexton Award – recognizing the outstanding speaker during the final round.
“Speech and debate programs like the IPPF change lives – helping students find their voice, promote conflict resolution, and see the world differently," Sexton said in a statement to Newsweek. “NYU is proud to partner with the Brewer Foundation to offer this academic program to students around the globe.”
Speaking of the inaugural award recognizing his life’s work as a debater, debate coach, and mentor, Sexton told Newsweek, “This award is an honor for many reasons, but most importantly because it represents so many students and mentors who shared their love of debate as a gift to me. The inaugural winner, Sanika Agarwalla, demonstrated remarkable poise and confidence. She is an inspiration to me – and represents the promise debate holds for future generations.”
To read more, click here.
Newsweek Reports on Brewer Foundation/NYU Debate Contest
May 4, 2023 – Newsweek reported today on the Brewer Foundation/NYU International Public Policy Forum. Founded in 2001 by the Brewer Foundation, the IPPF is the first and only competition that gives high school students around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. Now jointly administered by New York University, the contest annually reaches thousands of students.
As reported by Newsweek, “The IPPF is different from other public policy debates, which are largely comprised of oral arguments, because it includes rounds of essays that are exchanged by participants.” This year’s contest resolution is, “Resolved: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an effective model for international cooperation.”
The IPPF Finals take place Saturday, May 6 at the Harold Pratt House in New York City. Firm partner William A. Brewer III tells Newsweek about the unique finals format.
“Not only are these kids cross-examining each other, but now you've got lawyers and successful businesspeople and famous government officials sitting on a panel and asking you a bunch of questions about the topic that you've just debated. It's an exciting process,” Brewer said.
The final debate takes place at 3:30 p.m. EST. Log on to www.facebook.com/IPPFdebate to view all the action.
Read the full story here.