During the first semester, GTK members took part in a debate training series

During the first semester, members of the GTK Business Consulting Club took part in a three-session debate training series, organized and led by our alumni member, Pásztor Kende. The trainings aimed to develop argumentation and persuasion skills, recognize logical fallacies, foster critical thinking, and gain practical experience in different debate formats and presentation techniques.

The first session, held on October 30, 2025, focused on the fundamentals of debating: why we debate, the difference between debating and mere arguing, when a debate can be considered successful, and why it is important to focus on the motion. Participants learned about the concept and structure of a debate, the Karl Popper debate structure, and the SEXI argument model (Statement – assertion, Explanation – explanation, Illustration – illustration), which helps in building clear and persuasive arguments. At the end of the session, reviewing best practices provided participants with practical tips for effective debating right from the first meeting.

The second session, on November 20, emphasized practical debating. After a brief recap, participants tested their arguments using the Karl Popper debate structure. The first debate addressed globalization and economic protectionism, followed by joint evaluation and voting to draw lessons. A second debate focused on the impact of a four-day workweek in Eastern Europe, with similar analysis and feedback. The session proved especially valuable for both experienced participants and those new to debating, as everyone had the opportunity to develop their skills.

The third session, held on January 13, 2026, began with mastering sales pitch techniques: participants learned how to present an idea convincingly in just 30 seconds. In the practical part, participants, divided into three-person teams, presented intentionally unrealistic and impractical ideas to a “boss” role, each within different time limits. After the presentations, a joint evaluation highlighted both mistakes and strengths. At the end of the session, participants began learning the British Parliamentary debate format theoretically, which will be applied practically in the next session.

The debate training series will soon continue with a fourth, final session, providing a fitting conclusion to the first semester’s intensive professional development.

We would like to thank our alumni member, Pásztor Kende, for his high-quality and dedicated professional work, which has significantly contributed to the development of GTK members’ argumentation, communication, and professional skills.