Young people from around the world are learning the skills to listen, question and engage in constructive dialogue and actively applying them in their communities, careers and areas of study through the Ambassador Programme by Doha Debates, a production of Qatar Foundation.
This online educational programme teaches young people from across the globe to debate differently.
Rather than engaging in a Western-style battle of ideas, participants take an approach to dialogue that is grounded in the Majlis – a welcoming social space to discuss community issues.
Each year, more than 400 youth from over 80 countries come together to learn to listen to one another, understand points of view, and collaborate on solutions to complex problems.
The programme is open for application till August 24 to fluent English speakers between the ages of 18-24.
Algoori Maki, 19, an engineering student at Qatar University, joined the programme with a clear intention: to be part of a space where ideas translate into impact.
However, she also came away understanding how to channel convictions into thoughtful exploration.
“I used to see debating as a way to prove your point and win an argument,” Maki said. “But my perspective has changed. Today, I see debate as a way to explore ideas, challenge assumptions and understand different viewpoints. It’s about listening with intention.”
For Mohammed al-Qassabi, a 26-year-old Doha-based cybersecurity engineer with a Master’s of Science in artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive cybersecurity, meaningful dialogue has always been tied to the way people collaborate, lead and create impact.
That belief led him to the ambassador programme, where his understanding of debate began to shift.
“I saw debate as presenting arguments and trying to convince others,” he reflected. “Over time, I realised that discussions are less about winning and more about understanding.”
Across continents, participants have experienced similar transformations.
For Maria Emilia Zapata, a 24-year-old lawyer from Quito, the programme provided a framework for values she had long held but had not articulated.
“The idea of using dialogue to foster understanding and find common ground really resonated with me,” she said. “Being part of the programme made me feel understood, and like I had found a community.”
With a background in law and human rights, Zapata had been trained in competitive environments.
“I’ve come to see debate as a way to listen, embrace different perspectives and build mutual understanding,” she said.
This kind of transformation is one of the programme’s primary goals.
While Doha Debates programming reaches millions globally, its impact is measured not only in audience numbers, but in participants’ ability to articulate ideas, listen across differences and engage in constructive dialogue.
These skills – the building blocks of healthier public discourse – extend far beyond the programme.
For Elijah Man’Ishimwe, a 31-year-old refugee leader and international relations student based in Nairobi, such skills are essential.
Having grown up in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda, he witnessed firsthand how misunderstandings can escalate into conflict, and how important it is to amplify underrepresented perspectives.
“I saw this programme as an opportunity to bring those voices into global conversations,” he said, “while strengthening my own ability to lead dialogue with empathy and structure.”