February 15, 2022 – The Brewer Foundation and New York University are pleased to announce the results of the “Top 32” round of the 21st annual International Public Policy Forum (IPPF). The advancing Sweet 16 teams remain in the running to win a $10,000 grand prize.
The IPPF is the only contest that gives high school students around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. The competition was founded in 2001 by the Brewer Foundation, a private, non-profit organization funded by companies, individuals and the national litigation firm of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors.
“These students analyzed and debated the role of the United States dollar in the world economy,” says William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and a founder of the IPPF. “The 16 teams that remain will compete in another written round of debates – in hopes of advancing to the IPPF Finals in New York City.”
The IPPF’s 21st annual competition began in October, as teams submitted qualifying round essays affirming or negating the IPPF topic, “Resolved: On balance, the hegemony of the United States dollar is detrimental to the world economy.” Those essays were reviewed by a committee, which determined the top 64 teams based on the overall quality of each 2,800-word essay.
In November, the top 64 teams began a single-elimination, written debate competition. Each team was assigned a position (affirmative or negative) and then volleyed papers back and forth with another team via email. A panel of judges reviewed the essays in the order they were presented and selected the winning teams. The Top 32 teams were selected, and then narrowed in another round to the Sweet 16. The Sweet 16 round is now underway.
On March 24, the Elite 8 teams will be announced. The advancing teams will compete in the IPPF Finals on April 30, 2022. The IPPF Finals give students the opportunity to supplement their written scholarship with oral advocacy – competing in debates in front of some of the world’s foremost experts in business, law and politics. The winning team will take home the “Brewer Cup” and the $10,000 grand prize.
To view a list of advancing teams, click here.