Panama envoy visits Qatar Debate Centre

The Vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, Maria Luisa Navarro, visited the 4th International Schools Arabic Debating Championship (ISADC) at Qatar National Convention Centre. Navarro, who met with Qatar Debate Centre executive director Dr Hayat Abdulla Maarafi, expressed her delight at the participation of Panama in the championship. “The team members come from a city where a large number of Arab communities live. Panama is a blend of many cultures which is a privilege to strengthen relationship between the country and the people.”This is the second time for Panama to take part in the ISADC held in Qatar, Navarro added.The Russian and Canadian delegations participating in the ISADC praised the outstanding performance delivered by the students in the first round and the remarkable organisation and arrangements made by QatarDebate Center. Ismail Gondolin, Russian team coach, said: “This is our first participation and I hope it contributes to the enhancement of bilateral relations between Russia and Qatar, especially in the field of academic education.”The Canadian team coach, Bahja Mahmoud, recalled this is the second participation of the Canadian team in the ISADC. She pointed out that the objectives of Qatar Debate Centre to disseminate the Arabic language and develop critical thinking skills as well as spread the culture of respecting the other’s opinion are being fulfilled.