Brewer Foundation/NYU IPPF Debate Contest Making Headlines

The Brewer Foundation and New York University recently announced the high school debate teams advancing to the “Top 64” round of the 19th annual International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) debate competition. By advancing, the students remain eligible to win a $10,000 grand prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to the IPPF Finals in New York City.

The IPPF is the first and only international debate competition that gives high school students the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.

This year, the IPPF received qualifying round essays from more than 150 teams, representing schools in 28 U.S. states and 19 countries. Each essay affirmed or negated the IPPF topic, "Resolved: When in conflict, a nation's self-interest should outweigh its international commitments to migrants."

Media outlets including Patch.com reported on the advancing teams.

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UNHCR Recognizes Brewer Foundation IPPF Competition and Student Semifinalists

The UNHCR (The UN Refugee Agency) reported on a donation the agency received from the 2016-17 semifinalists of the Brewer Foundation / New York University (NYU) International Public Policy Forum (IPPF). After debating the topic of refugee resettlement, the students from duPont Manual High School in Louisville, Kentucky, donated their $1,500 in IPPF winnings to assist refugees. 

The article, “With Heads and Hearts, Five Kentucky Teens Rally for Refugees,” discusses the students’ involvement in the competition and their backgrounds as first-generation Americans “with deep personal connections to global migration, refugee issues and generous communities that warmly welcome strangers.” 

In a letter to the teens, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi praised their “spirit and goodwill." He also commended NYU and the Brewer Foundation for “fostering such a timely debate” and allowing students to “explore the refugee issue and other important topics with rigor and reflection.”

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LEAF Academy Students Crowned Champion of International Public Policy Forum Debate Contest

A team of students from LEAF Academy of Bratislava, Slovakia, bested a field of high schools from around the globe on Saturday, April 21, winning the 17th Annual Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) debate competition and a $10,000 grand prize. The final debate was held at The Harold Pratt House in New York City.

The IPPF is the first and only competition that gives high school students the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.

The teams that competed at the IPPF Finals were the final “Elite Eight” teams to emerge from a field that began with 161 teams representing high schools in 17 countries and 30 U.S. states. The teams debated the IPPF topic: “Resolved: International climate accords for greenhouse gas emissions should adopt binding enforcement mechanisms.”

"These student debaters put in months of hard work to achieve the title of IPPF World Champion," said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and founder of the IPPF. "They impressed the judges with their superior research, writing and advocacy skills.”

The runner-up team from William Mason High School of Mason, Ohio, receives a $3,500 prize. 

For more information about the competition, go to www.ippfdebate.com

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Brewer Foundation Announces IPPF “Top 32” Teams

The Brewer Foundation and New York University are pleased to announce the results of the “Top 64” round of the 17th annual International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) - 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 “Top 32” teams represent schools in 17 U.S. states and 5 foreign countries, including Singapore, China, Taiwan, Kingdom of Bahrain and Slovakia. This year’s debate topic is, “Resolved: International climate accords for greenhouse gas emissions should adopt binding enforcement mechanisms.” The advancing 32 teams were announced on the IPPF website: https://www.ippfdebate.com.

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Dallas ISD and Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program Renew Partnership

The Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) and the Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) announced a renewed long-term partnership in June 2017. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two groups ensures the continuation of the FLP for at least another five years.

Founded in 2001 by the Brewer Foundation, the FLP is an academic and leadership development program that benefits nearly 250 students, ages 10 – 18, from urban communities within Dallas ISD and more than 60 FLP alumni attending college.

"The FLP embraces the ideal that our city’s future is hugely impacted by opportunities offered to the students of Dallas ISD," said Michael Hinojosa, Dallas ISD superintendent. "This program proves that we can create opportunities for students to help ensure a bright future for each of them and for Dallas. Hopefully, this will inspire others to support our students in meaningful ways."

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Making the Grade: WFAA-TV Profiles Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) Student

TWFAA-TV in Dallas aired a report about Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) student Jonathan Murillo and his path to college and acceptance to Yale University. Jonathan has been a part of the FLP since he was in the 5th grade and will be the first person in his family to ever attend college. The FLP provides academic resources and leadership training to deserving students from the Dallas Independent School District (DISD).

Managing Partner William Brewer Writes About the Value of Debate

Managing Partner William Brewer recently wrote a commentary on LinkedIn about the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) competition, which he founded in 2001. The IPPF is the only high school debate competition that gives students from around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.

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NPEA Recognizes Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP)

The National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA) profiled the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) in its September 2016 “Member Spotlight.” 

The NPEA interviewed FLP Director of Academics and Accountability Brittany Brady about the history of the program and its impact on students from the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). Founded in 2001, the FLP services DISD students in grades 5-12, and “seeks to develop their leadership and academic skills, as well as guide them through the college admissions process.”

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