Adjudicators

The Concern Debates programme is open to students across the island of Ireland. The Concern Debates programme aims to introduce students to themes of development through the debating motions and encourage students to become lifelong advocates on issues relating to poverty, justice and development. Volunteer adjudicators are responsible for marking student debates as part of the Concern Debates programme.

Generally, adjudicators will mark one or two debates per school year, but they are free to adjudicate as many or as few as they wish. From October to January, the programme will be online and adjudicators can mark debates remotely. From March to May, the debates will be in-person and adjudicators will need to attend in-person debates. 

No expertise is required to become an adjudicator but an open mind is essential. You must be able to see both sides of an argument and be able to give constructive, positive feedback.

Full online training is provided for each volunteer adjudicator and the Concern Debates team are on hand to talk you through our support materials. We ask that all adjudicators, both new and returning, attend our online training each year before the Concern Debates programme begins.

Adjudicators must be residents on the island of Ireland to volunteer. All adjudicators must be Garda vetted. Vetting lasts for three years. For more information on vetting, please contact [email protected].

Marking sheets, feedback sheets and information on rules etc can all be found below. Just click on the link and download to your PC/laptop.

Adjudicator Linda Golden gives some advice for adjudicators on how to effectively deliver feedback.

If you need any more convincing, our wonderful past and present adjudicators got together to say why they got involved in the Concern Debates and how it has left an impact on them.