On May 19, 2023, during the IV International Scientific and Practical Conference “International Economic Relations and Sustainable Development”, held at the Department of International Economic Relations of Sumy State University, academics PhD, Associate Professor Viktoriia Shkola, and PhD, Associate Professor Maryna Domashenko conducted the 2nd debate tournament in Karl Popper format “EU mechanisms for combating modern challenges and threats: strengths and weaknesses”. The debate was held within the Project of the Programme EU Erasmus+ “Implementation of European Union mechanisms for combating modern challenges and threats” (101085700 – IMEU – ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH) (2022-2025).
During the debate between representatives of the Project’s target groups (students, researchers, academics, the representatives of local authorities, business structures, and other stakeholders), a number of issues, including the effectiveness of the sanctions mechanism against countries that provide Russia with trade channels and the conceptual principles of forming a mechanism for registering damages caused by Russia to Ukraine, were discussed.
The event’s primary goal is to stimulate creative activity, develop students’ critical thinking skills, search for arguments, respect for opponents, the ability to convey one’s opinion politely, and the ability to work in interdisciplinary, and multicultural teams, generate, and substantiate ideas.
The event was held in 3 stages:
I Stage “Debate”: participants discussed the effectiveness of the sanctions mechanism against the third countries helping Russia circumvent sanctions and import dual-purpose goods;
II Stage “Generation of ideas by brainstorming within the charrette procedure”: all the event participants discussed the economic, organisational, and legal tools and means that should be introduced within the framework of the mechanism for damages registration caused by Russia to Ukraine;
III Stage “Debate”: the participants discussed the viability, feasibility and expected effectiveness of the mechanism elements for damages registration caused by Russia to Ukraine, which were proposed by the participants at the idea generation stage (Stage II).
Debate Methodology
The Karl-Popper format focuses on relevant and often profoundly divisive positions, emphasising critical thinking skills development and tolerance for differing viewpoints.
There are two teams, an Affirmative Team and a Negative Team. Each team receives a case in advance that describes restrictions and problems with implementing EU politics and mechanisms for combating modern challenges and threats in Ukraine. The Affirmative Team’s task is to prove the non-viability of EU mechanisms for combating modern challenges and threats in Ukraine; the Negative Team’s mission is to deny the non-viability of the EU mechanisms for combating modern challenges and threats in Ukraine.
Debaters work together in teams of three team members and must research both sides of each debated issue. Each team has to offer arguments and direct questions to the opposing team. Judges then provide constructive feedback, commenting on logical flaws, insufficient evidence, or arguments debaters may have overlooked.
According to the Debating Rules, two opposing teams and a judging team have been formed from debate participants during the event. The judging team voted for the team whose arguments were more convincing during the discussion.
Stage I
Representatives of the Affirmative Team:
Alina Pedos – student (group Ме-91а), Sumy State University (Ukraine)
Danyil Vygovskyi – student (group Ме-91а), Sumy State University (Ukraine)
Oksana Musiienko – student (group Ме-92 а.аn), Sumy State University (Ukraine)
The team’s task was to justify the effectiveness and high efficiency of the sanctions mechanism against the third countries that help Russia circumvent sanctions and import dual-purpose goods.
Representatives of the Negative Team:
The team’s task is to deny the high effectiveness of the sanctions mechanism against the third countries that help Russia to circumvent sanctions and import dual-purpose goods.
Sergii Drabynoga – student (group Ме-11), Sumy State University Ukraine)
Veronika Shevchenko – student (group Ме-11), Sumy State University Ukraine)
Valery Domashenko – student (group Ме-02а.аn), Sumy State University (Ukraine)
Stage III
Representatives of the Affirmative Team:
Sergii Drabynoga – student (group Ме-11), Sumy State University Ukraine)
Veronika Shevchenko – student (group Ме-11), Sumy State University Ukraine)
Valery Domashenko – student (group Ме-02а.аn), Sumy State University (Ukraine)
The team’s task was to substantiate the effectiveness and high efficiency of the elements of the mechanism for damage registration caused by Russia to Ukraine, which were proposed by the participants at the previous idea generation stage.
Representatives of the Negative Team:
Alina Pedos – student (group Ме-91а), Sumy State University (Ukraine)
Danyil Vygovskyi – student (group Ме-91а), Sumy State University (Ukraine)
Oksana Musiienko – student (group Ме-92 а.аn), Sumy State University (Ukraine)
The team’s task was to deny the high efficiency of the mechanism elements for damages registration caused by Russia to Ukraine, which the participants at the generating ideas stage had proposed.
All other event participants, including representatives of migrants, displaced persons and national minorities, were on a jury during the debate.
The event’s moderators were academics of the Department of International Economic Relations – PhD, Associate Professor Viktoriia Shkola, and PhD, Associate Professor Maryna Domashenko.
More than 40 participants, including students and academics of Ukrainian and European universities, researchers, representatives of business structures, government, and other stakeholders, took part in the debate.
Participation in debates helped the participants develop essential skills necessary for success in higher education, careers and professional life in today’s democratic society.
In general, a whole series of debates are intended to be conducted within the Project of the Programme EU Erasmus+ «Implementation of European Union mechanisms for combating modern challenges and threats» (101085700 – IMEU – ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEITCH-RSCH). Debate topics planned for discussion within the Project implementation include the EU Agenda on climate change, environmental protection, security, energy, public health and digital policy, as well as urgent issues of countering the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and the EU support for Ukraine.