Candidate Debate Management Training

The Institute’s Candidate Debate Management Training program teaches high school and university students how to effectively administer debates for upcoming local elections. This includes having youth research key policy topics, craft debate questions, serve as moderators and panelists, and learn to hold candidates accountable. The program culminates with students hosting professional, informative, non-partisan debates.

The Institute has partnered with the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, the League of Women Voters Los Angeles, Southeast-Rio Vista YMCA, as well as Cal State LA’s Pre-Law Society, Criminal Justice Association, and Political Science Association to administer student-led candidate debates.

Learning Outcomes for Students:

1. Learn how to host professional, informative, non-partisan debates.
2. Become familiar with the public policy issues that impact their communities.

“When we get involved in civic engagement we see there is an entirely different empowerment…students finally feel they are important.”  
– Karen Calderon, Senior, Alexander Hamilton High School