Frequently Asked Questions

The Global Debate Society is a transnational organization dedicated to promoting debate education and critical thinking skills across Southeast Asia. We organize competitions, provide training, develop educational resources, and build a community of debaters across the region.

Our headquarters are in Singapore, but we have regional chapters across Southeast Asia including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam. We operate primarily throughout these countries but welcome members from anywhere in the world.

We welcome anyone interested in debate! Our members include high school and university students, educators, coaches, and debate enthusiasts from all walks of life. We have specific membership categories designed for different experience levels and interests.

We support multiple debate formats including Asian Parliamentary, British Parliamentary, World Schools, Policy Debate, and Public Forum. Our resources and competitions cover all these formats, though regional events may focus on formats most popular in that specific area.

Membership benefits vary by level but generally include access to our resource library, discounted entry to competitions, training workshops, networking opportunities, and participation in our online community forums. Premium members receive additional benefits like advanced training materials and priority registration for events.

We offer several membership tiers with different pricing:

• Student Membership: $25 per year
• Premium Membership: $60 per year
• Professional Membership: $120 per year

We also offer group discounts for schools and organizations. Financial assistance may be available for those who demonstrate need.

Memberships are valid for one year from the date you join. We'll send you renewal notifications via email starting 30 days before your membership expires. You can renew through your member account on our website or by contacting our membership services team.

Yes, you can upgrade your membership at any time. When you upgrade, you'll pay the difference between your current membership rate and the new rate, prorated for the remaining time in your current membership period. Log into your account or contact our membership team to upgrade.

We host several major competitions throughout the year, including regional tournaments and our annual Southeast Asian Championship. Additionally, we support numerous local competitions organized by our chapters. On average, there's at least one GDS-affiliated competition every month somewhere in the region.

While most of our competitions are open to non-members, members receive priority registration and discounted entry fees. Some premier events, like our championship finals, may be restricted to members or require qualification through preliminary tournaments.

Information about upcoming events is posted on our website's Events page and announced through our newsletter and social media channels. Registration is typically handled through our event portal, where you can create a team, register as an individual participant, or volunteer as a judge. Each event has specific registration deadlines and requirements.

Absolutely! We encourage schools, universities, and organizations to host debate events. GDS can provide support through judging resources, tournament management software, promotion, and even staff assistance for larger events. Contact our Events Coordinator to discuss how we can support your tournament.

Our resource library includes debate guides for various formats, training materials, worksheets, video tutorials, recorded debates with analysis, research repositories, and case studies. We continuously update our materials to reflect current topics and techniques.

Yes, we offer several training programs:

• Regular workshops (both online and in-person)
• Training camps during school holidays
• Judge certification programs
• Coach development courses
• School-based programs for educational institutions

Professional members also receive access to coaching sessions as part of their membership benefits.

We're working to make our resources more accessible across Southeast Asia. Currently, many of our core materials are available in English, Bahasa Indonesia, Thai, and Vietnamese. We're continuously expanding our translations to include more languages of the region.

Yes! We welcome input from our community on what resources would be most helpful. If you need specific materials or training that aren't currently available, please submit a request through our Resources page or contact our Education Director. We regularly develop new materials based on member needs.

Welcome to debate! Here's how to get started:

1. Join GDS as a student member to access beginner resources
2. Check out our "Introduction to Debate" guide and video series
3. Attend one of our beginner workshops (offered monthly)
4. Join our online community forum to connect with other debaters
5. Observe a few debates before participating
6. Start with novice-friendly competitions

We have mentorship programs specifically designed to help newcomers develop their skills.

We welcome volunteers in many capacities including:

• Event organization and logistics
• Judging at competitions
• Content development for resources
• Mentoring new debaters
• Chapter leadership
• Administrative support

Visit our "Get Involved" section on the website or contact our Volunteer Coordinator to learn about current opportunities.

Absolutely! Many of our members participate independently. You can join individual events, access our online training, and connect with our community regardless of your school's involvement. We can also help you establish a debate club at your school if you're interested - our School Program Development team can provide resources and guidance for starting a new debate program.

No previous experience is required! We welcome members at all levels from complete beginners to seasoned debaters. Our programs and resources are designed to support every stage of debate development. We have special events and training specifically for newcomers to help you build foundational skills in a supportive environment.

We accept multiple payment methods including:

• Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
• PayPal
• Bank transfer
• Mobile payment options (specific to each country)

For institutional memberships and large group registrations, we can also issue invoices for direct payment.

While membership covers most of our services and resources, there are some additional fees:

• Competition registration fees (discounted for members)
• Specialized training camps and intensive workshops
• Certification programs
• Premium downloadable materials (members receive an allowance)

All fees are clearly disclosed before registration, and many events offer early bird discounts.

Yes, we're committed to making debate accessible to all. We offer scholarship programs for memberships and event participation based on financial need and merit. Additionally, we have special rates for under-resourced schools and communities. Contact our Financial Assistance Coordinator for more information about applying for support.

Our refund policies vary by service:

• Memberships: Refundable within 7 days if no benefits have been used
• Event registrations: Refundable up to 14 days before the event (minus processing fee)
• Workshops: Refundable up to 7 days before the workshop (minus processing fee)

In case of unexpected circumstances like illness, we evaluate refund requests on a case-by-case basis. For detailed policies, please refer to our Terms of Service.