IDEA Exchange 2009 Grand Opening to Commence at the Riverside Room in The House of Lords

London, United Kingdom, October 03, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The IDEA Exchange 2009 organised by IDEA (International Debate Education Association) in partnership with Goldsmiths University and Debatewise, a UK based community interest company and creators of leading debating software, will focus this year upon ‘The Web and Social Change.’ The event will be attended by a hundred and fifty of tomorrows leaders from around the world who have, in the face of adversary and difficult conditions, attempted to bring change to places often very resistant to it. The Exchange is a form of educational conference focusing on debate, civic education, youth projects, and innovative teaching and participation methodologies. This year the House of Lords has given its support to the event and will host a reception in the Riverside Room in Parliament in conjunction with the Exchange.

The Exchange attendees are very active within their local communities. Past projects have included a very successful campaign to eradicate racism in Romanian football, a ministerial backed campaign in Mongolia to help clean a polluted river and a successful project in Lebanon to encourage political leaders to support keeping CO2 levels in the atmosphere below 350ppm. Apart from these dynamic young people, other attendees will include Twitter experts, and leading figures on the UK internet scene.

This is one of many events organised during 2009 in conjunction with the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, and the event is part-funded by the European Commission’s Europe for Citizens programme. The format for the exchange is that of an ‘Unconference’, where rather than adhering to a strict and rigid programme, attendees simply give presentations or speeches at times that suit them and on projects they are currently involved with. The Exchange resembles a gathering of people coming together to share and learn in an open environment through discussions, demonstrations and open discussion with attendees. This structure encourages active participation and facilitates the exchange of ideas.

This year will see speeches given on the role of the internet to promote debate in Belarus and on an environmental initiative currently taking place in Macedonia, amongst others. The organisers encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to take part in the exchange, whether they be journalists, bloggers, activists or website developers. Past exchanges have seen university students, professors, youth workers and educators who work in debate attend.

For more information or if you wish to participate in the IDEA Exchange 2009, visit the website (http://workserver.idebate.org/exchange/) and download an application form. The event will run from 12th-13th December 2009 at Goldsmiths University, London.

Company Info –
The International Debate Education Association (IDEA) develops, organizes and promotes debate and debate-related activities in communities throughout the world. Established in 1999 to coordinate pilot debate programs initiated by The Open Society Institute, IDEA acts as an independent membership organization of national debate clubs, associations, programs, and individuals who share a common purpose: to promote mutual understanding and democracy globally by supporting discussion and active citizenship locally.
Website - http://www.idebate.org/

Debatewise (www.debatewise.com) is an not for profit online debating site which aims to become the Wikipedia of debate. Anyone can start a debate on any subject they like and anyone can edit and strengthen that debate, this ensures that over time the strongest and most definitive arguments emerge and provide a highly valuable resource for anyone looking to make up their mind. Debatewise was founded in 2008 by David Crane and is currently based in the London internet hub of Hoxton in East London. Patrons include Michael Crick, Gabby Logan and Chris Heaton Harris.

###