What happens when you empower thousands of young people to debate global issues? 🌍
You spark conversations that challenge perspectives, inspire action, and shift the power.
That’s exactly what happened when we joined forces with Comic Relief for Red Nose Day 2025, launching a national debating competition across 150 secondary schools in the UK. This initiative was part of ‘Shifting the Power’, Comic Relief’s flagship programme co-funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Through this partnership, thousands of students explored the importance of effective international aid and its role in shaping a better world.
The Road to No.10
After weeks of intense debates across the country, the two highest-scoring schools advanced to the Grand Final, held at none other than 10 Downing Street and hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The final showdown saw students from Cardinal Heenan High School (Liverpool) and Sacred Heart School (London) tackle the motion:
💬 “This House believes that youth leadership is the best way to tackle the world’s most pressing issues.”
From climate change to global inequality, the students delivered compelling arguments, proving that youth leadership isn’t just the future – it’s the now. This debate wasn’t just about showcasing the power of oracy and youth voice; it was about proving that young people belong at the highest levels of decision-making.
The pupils were also given the rare opportunity to meet and quiz Sir Keir directly. The pupils asked questions ranging from, “What were you like at school?”, “Do you get nervous when you are going into a speech?”, “Where do you go for lunch?”, and “What skills do you think are most important for debating?”
As he introduced the debate, the Prime Minister said: “Welcome to my house, but it’s also your house and it’s been inspiring to meet you all, and I’m certainly going to be watching the debate to see if I can pick up any tips for Prime Minister’s Questions. This is all about the skills for debating, but they are also really important skills for life, the ability to say what you think, to be confident, to work in a group, so this is a really wonderful opportunity. I’m really proud you are here.”
The debate was judged by Dragons’ Den star and entrepreneur, Deborah Meaden, alongside DJ and philanthropist, Cuppy, and Jaz Singh from The Traitors. Speaking about the debate, Deborah Meaden said: “The students were compelling, passionate, engaging. I was blown away. Some people think about debate as being this boring thing that other people do, but when you see the energy and the way you can get involved and actually all the things around the debate, the confidence it gives you, the skills it gives you, the negotiation skills in life… it’s a brilliant thing to get involved with, and learning the difference between argument and debate is really important. I thoroughly enjoyed it, they had me enthralled.”
After a fiercely contested debate, the judges crowned Cardinal Heenan High School as the winners of the Debate Mate x Comic Relief Grand Final.
The students who debated at No.10 sent a clear message: Caring is powerful, and speaking up is in.
At a time when young people often feel unheard, this competition gave them the platform to lead conversations on real-world issues. Through Shifting the Power, thousands of students across the UK are being equipped with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to create meaningful change – both locally and globally.
Watch the highlight of the event HERE.
