Stars of Fremont Debate, from left to right: Kim, coach Catherine Kuhn, Jack, Cesar, Jazmin, mentor Andres Gannon, and Diego.

When they heard their mentor Andres on NPR, the young stars of Fremont debate had to add their voice.  They recorded an audio piece of their own, which is definitely in the running for the most heartwarming 2 minutes of audio in the world.

Click here to listen. The transcript is below:

Continue reading ‘Audio Spotlight: Fremont Debaters Love their Mentor’

New: Hear Andres’ students reflect on the impact he has made on their lives.

Andres Gannon, second from left, with members of the BAUDL family at the 2011 Summer Institute

This morning, September 23, NPR profiled BAUDL superstar volunteer Andres Gannon, highlighting the amazing work he has done for the past four years as we founded the Bay Area Urban Debate League.

His work is truly inspiring, but he is not alone in dedicating his time and talent to this mission.  Andres is a star among stars, part of an outstanding community of people who have given so much to help us build youth voice. If you want to join BAUDL as a volunteer, click this link – and listen to the great profile of Andres here:

Public budgets are in crisis around the world. Revenues are falling and crucial programs on the chopping block. Politicians of the adult world have struggled to find a solution.

The Great Debates begin in San Francisco at 6PM on October 26th

Where adults have struggled to advance the ball, the young people of the Bay Area Urban Debate League are ready to pick that ball up and run with it. On October 26th in San Francisco, youth will give a dose of honest, passionate wisdom on how to solve the budget crisis in San Francisco. And let me tell you: they put on a good show.

These youth have been hard at work researching the most crucial political and social issues facing their generation and developing the power of their words to make positive changes in their communities. You are warmly invited to join us in celebrating their dedication and discussing the ideas they bring to the table.

STUDENTS, Click here to get info and apply for the LDF!

The Bay Area Urban Debate League is proud to announce a new addition to our growing family: the Leading with Debate Fellowship (LDF).

This is a place where young people can build the skills to make change, the skills to become the leaders we need for our communities – and use their passion and energy to bring politics back to life for adults who have become disconnected.

The members of the LDF will be on the cutting edge of the BAUDL’s engagement with the communities around it, conducting research into the most important issues facing these communities and presenting their findings in the form of electrifying public debates.

On a weekly basis, LDF members from San Francisco and the East Bay will meet together, working with BAUDL staff and volunteers on skill-building and gaining knowledge about the political systems around them.

Why we are doing this – and how you can help

The aim is to create a core of students ready to make the most of what makes debate special – the ability to see multiple sides of complicated issues, the grounding in rigorous research, and the excitement of competition – in order to energize and edify the cities of the Bay Area.  In the process, by demonstrating their skillls in public events and the media and by reaching out to peers on their own campuses, these young people will shift expectations of Bay Area youth.

We are looking for partners at all stages of the work of the LDF – from helping us identify key issues for discussion, to working with our amazing debaters, to helping produce public events that make a real impact on audiences.

The LDF Launches on September 20. Please get in touch with Executive Director Dmitri Seals at dseals@baudl.org or 510-517-0069 for more information.

STUDENTS, Click here to get info and apply for the LDF!