NCA – CIDD Virtual Debate

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The Committee for International Discussion and Debate (CIDD), in partnership with NCA, presents an International Public Debate Demonstration on Jan. 16, 2026 from 4–6pm EST. This debate will feature four teams of student debaters representing the U.S., Japan, Slovenia, and Tanzania. This fully online event highlights the power of dialogue across borders and the generative possibilities of deliberation in motion.

Modeled on British Parliamentary debate, but adapted for the session’s interactive, public-facing format, the demonstration emphasizes stylistic diversity, contrasting argument traditions, and the rich communicative practices that emerge when students from different cultural, linguistic, and educational contexts engage one another. Though competitive in structure, the event is friendly and celebratory, focusing on the values of collaboration, listening, and global connection.

The event draws on NCA’s 2026 Convention theme of MOVE/MENTS as a condition of human experience in the 21st century that is capable of both bringing together and disrupting ideas, technologies, bodies, disciplines, and politics. Movement is critical to the meaning-making communication scholars and students bring across society, cultures, and fields.

Description

Resolved: Open borders significantly benefit a nation’s economy and society.

The chosen resolution for this version centers these questions directly: Do open borders benefit a nation’s economy and society? This debate invites participants to examine migration not as a crisis to be managed, but as a communicative, cultural, and economic process that reshapes communities. It prompts reflection on how policies governing mobility affect human dignity, labor flows, identity formation, and democratic participation. Moreover, the international composition of the debate offers a rare opportunity to hear arguments rooted in diverse geopolitical positions—nations with different migration histories, border politics, demographic pressures, and cultural perspectives.

Debaters

U.S. Debaters

Tyler Crivella – Tyler Crivella is the captain of the University of Texas @ Dallas’ Comet Speech team and assistant coach at Jordan High School. Tyler has championed multifaceted advocacy in National Forensics Association Lincoln-Douglas Debate; International Public Debate Association Debate; Extemporaneous, Informative, Impromptu, and After-Dinner Speaking; and Dramatic and Prose Interpretation.

Maria Manousakis – Maria Manousakis is a junior at the University of Utah studying Communication and an active member of the John R. Park Debate Society. She has competitive experience in National Parliamentary Debate Association Debate, Policy Debate, and several Individual Events, bringing research-driven advocacy and public-focused communication to a wide range of issues.

Japanese Debaters

Ms. Hitoha Negoro – Hitoha Negoro is a second-year undergraduate student in Civil Engineering (International Project Course) at the University of Tokyo. She has an extensive background in competitive debate, having earned awards at both national and international tournaments since middle school. Beyond debate, her academic and extracurricular work focuses on addressing complex global challenges including conflict and climate change through the integration of policy, ethics, and technology. She is honored to take part in this international exchange debate.

Ms. Aya Fujii – Aya Fujii majors in political science at Keio University. She has experience in both policy debate and parliamentary debate. She participates in national and international tournaments and has won prizes at several tournaments, including the JPDU Autumn Tournament and Japan BP. She is fascinated by the joy of discovering new perspectives and meeting wonderful debaters from all over the world in every debate match.

Slovenian Debaters

Lara Livakovič Kočevar – Lara Kočevar represented Slovenia at the World Schools Debating Championships for 3 consecutive years. After graduating high school, she moved to the UK to study law at Durham University. She has judged and spoken at multiple international tournaments and is preparing to compete at the World University Debating Championships 2026 in Bulgaria. Besides still competing, she also coaches students from her school in Slovenia.

Lina Fefer – Lina Fefer started debating in Slovenia, where she was a member of the national team for two years. After graduating high school, she moved to the Netherlands and is now a second-year Political Science student at the University of Amsterdam. She still debates actively and remains involved judging international tournaments and coaching Dutch students.

Tanzanian Debaters

Careen Michael – Careen Michael is a passionate and accomplished debater with over two years of experience in competitive debating. Throughout her journey, she has consistently excelled, breaking into out-rounds at both local and international levels, including semi-finals and quarter-finals in national and international competitions. Careen attends Tumaini University in Arusha.