ICYD is a competition exclusively for younger debaters! It is run in the British Parliamentary Format (BP) (click here to download our guide on this style of debating).

There are numerous regional rounds across the globe, with the best teams from each round being invited to compete at Finals’ Day, which this year will be held at the Cambridge Union on Sunday 30th April 2023.

Each regional round will consist of 3 preliminary debates and then the best 4 teams will break to a regional final, the winners of which will be crowned regional champions. At least two of these preliminary rounds will be short prep (the motion will be announced 15 minutes before the debate starts) – one round may be pre-prepared, with the motion circulated to schools taking part well in advance.

The international rounds may use a slightly different format.

Time permitting, each regional round will also run a workshop in the morning to go through the BP format and make sure all debaters understand the basics of debating.

Finals’ Day will be held at the Cambridge Union, and will take a slightly different format to the regional rounds – there will be 4 preliminary rounds. After that, the top 8 teams will go through to semi finals. Two teams will progress through from each semi-final to reach the ICYD Grand Final, (which will be held in the famous Union chamber) and the winners will be crowned international Champions.