ATH Conservation Debates
The ATH Conservation Debates are a forum in which secondary school teams discuss real-world wildlife and environmental issues. Organised by the Association for Tourism Hwange (ATH), the debates bring together students from local high schools to research, present and argue opposing sides of conservation topics. This event ties directly to ATH’s mission of protecting Hwange’s natural heritage – as ATH’s Projects Committee notes, the association is “dedicated to preserving the ecological integrity of the Hwange region” through community engagement and education.
Purpose and Objectives
The Conservation Debates are designed to promote conservation awareness, critical thinking, and youth engagement. Each debate motion focuses on a conservation issue, so students must research facts and ecological data, deepening their environmental understanding. Through preparation and friendly competition, debaters learn to “analyse complex issues from multiple perspectives”, fostering deeper understanding and stronger critical thinking. They also practice crafting evidence-based arguments and public speaking – skills that educational experts note help young people become active, informed citisens.
Conservation awareness
Students investigate local wildlife and habitat issues and share findings. Studies of youth environmental programs show participants often “not only gain environmental knowledge but also develop stronger connections to their local ecosystems” through hands-on learning. Debating these topics helps spread awareness into the community.
Critical thinking
Structured debate trains students to research, reason and communicate clearly. As one analysis explains, debate tasks students to analyse complex issues from multiple perspectives… enhancing critical thinking abilities. This sharpens research and reasoning skills that are useful in many fields.
Youth leadership
By engaging directly in conservation topics, young people are empowered as future stewards of the environment. Experts emphasise that today’s youth hold the key to achieving sustainable development and early engagement helps them become active and engaged adults in community. In this way, the debates help develop the next generation of conservation advocates.
2025 Debates Format and Details
The 2025 Conservation Debates will follow a tournament-style format. A selection of Hwange-area schools (8 teams) will compete in preliminary rounds of two to three debates. The top teams advance to a championship final round.
Participating Schools: Several local secondary schools from the Hwange region (each fielding one team of 4 students)
Dates: First Conservation Debate is scheduled for 13 June 2025
Debate Rounds: All teams debate assigned motions in preliminary rounds. Judges select the highest-scoring teams to move on to a final championship debate. In each round teams alternate as Pro and Con, arguing each side of the topic.
Scoring Method: A panel of judges (often teachers or conservation experts) scores each speech on content and delivery. (In many schools competitions, judges award points - typically on a scale from about 60 to 80 - for reasoning, evidence, organisation and clarity.) The team with the higher cumulative score wins the round and advances in the bracket.
Prizes: At the final awards ceremony, the winning school team and runner-up receive trophies or plaques. Outstanding individual speakers (best on each side of the motion) are also recognised with certificates or medals. These awards honour student achievement and encourage all participants.
The ATH Conservation Debates combine the excitement of competition with education on real conservation issues. The event’s structure, involving multiple rounds, judged scoring and awards, follows standard debate tournament practice. It offers a genuine, accessible experience for students to engage with conservation: as they argue and learn, they are simultaneously becoming more informed advocates for Hwange’s wildlife and wild places.
