Doha Debates Engages Youth in Landmark Global Dialogue Efforts

In 2025, the Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates significantly advanced its mission as a global platform for dialogue, addressing pressing questions that resonate worldwide. The initiative brought together students and thought leaders to engage in discussions about critical issues, including freedom, justice, identity, and belonging. The platform saw an impressive reach, garnering over 13.8 million video views and engaging nearly seven million followers across various social media platforms, including more than one million YouTube subscribers.

Milestones in Dialogue and Recognition

A notable highlight of the year was the fourth season of The Negotiators, which received international accolades, including the Folio Award for Historical Reporting and the Shorty Award for News & Politics Podcast. This recognition underscores the quality and impact of the discussions facilitated by Doha Debates.

In addition to its live programming, Doha Debates launched a new season of its flagship online debates, hosting Majlis-style conversations that reached audiences globally. Throughout the year, a series of international town halls provided opportunities for students to converse directly with influential thinkers. A sold-out event at the Bradford Literature Festival featured discussions on national identity, moderated by Malika Bilal with contributions from prominent speakers such as Dr. Wael B. Hallaq, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, and Dr. David Engels.

The dialogue expanded into Latin America with the organization’s inaugural regional town hall in Buenos Aires. In partnership with Years of Culture, students from Qatar, Argentina, and Chile examined the future of urban living, collaborating with experts including Guadalupe Granero Realini, Akel Ismail Kahera, and Nicholas Boys Smith. Following this, Doha Debates returned to its home base, convening discussions with Dr. Omar Suleiman, Dr. Gregg Caruso, and Professor Jeremy Koons to explore the intersections of science, faith, and moral responsibility.

The year culminated at the Doha Forum, where a live episode of The Negotiators, co-hosted with Foreign Policy and the International Peace Institute, featured insights from Prince Zeid bin Ra’ad bin Zeid Al Hussein and Dr. Robert Malley. This event provided an opportunity for the public to gain insights into diplomacy and peacebuilding.

Youth Engagement and Future Initiatives

Central to the year’s success was the emphasis on youth engagement. Through town halls, the Community of Practice training initiatives, and the Doha Debates Ambassador Program, over 400 young people from more than 80 nations participated in dialogue-driven leadership development activities. The program’s growth is evident, expanding from just 30 participants in its inaugural year to a capacity of 200 ambassadors.

Looking ahead to 2026, Doha Debates aims to build on this momentum with a new season of its podcast, which opens with the episode titled “Has disagreement become disinformation?” featuring insights from Glenn Greenwald, Renée DiResta, and Siva Vaidhyanathan. Alongside this, the organization will continue its town halls, launch another flagship show season, and maintain the ongoing success of The Negotiators.

Doha Debates remains committed to fostering constructive dialogue among diverse audiences, emphasizing unity over division. By encouraging open conversations, the platform aims to build a better future through meaningful engagement.

For more information, visit DohaDebates.com.