Age group: Venturers/DFs

How long it will take: 1 hour +

What materials you will need: Background information and source material on war.

The aim of the activity:

What to do:
Split the group in half. One half will argue for war and one against. This can be a simple statement e.g. 'War is/is not the best method for solving conflict'. Or it can be based on the declaration article e.g. 'Violent conflict between peoples does/does not damage environmental and social sustainability'·

Each group should have at least 30 minutes to prepare although there could be much longer, this could take up a whole session with the debate the following week. Newspapers, statistics etc. should be available for research.·

The 'facilitators' (venturers or leaders) decide how long each group will have to speak and keep order during the debate. Usually each group will have about 3 minutes to present their case.

Then they alternate between the groups. Each puts forward a point that the other side can then question them about. Both sides then sum up their case.·

After the debate discuss how it went.

• Was it difficult arguing a point of view that you didn't agree with?
• Has it changed anyone's views?
• Can anyone think of things that were not mentioned?