Celebrating Inspiring Voices at The Oxford Union

Round Square Inspiring Voices – The Big Baraza gathered together in Oxford, UK, 400 students and teachers, from 46 schools in 15 countries, to practice public speaking, and share perspectives on a range of topics through debate and discussion. 

Participants from Australia, Kenya, China, the USA, Pakistan, Canada, Colombia, UAE, Denmark, Ghana, New Zealand, India, Germany, South Africa and the UK formed 18 internationally-mixed debating teams. The participants of each team met for the first time on arrival in Oxford, and very quickly had to work together to combine their diverse research and perspectives into one coherent argument either for or against a each motion.

They made use of seminar rooms and lecture theatres across three University Colleges, dined in halls, and built their teams through “Baraza” discussions, led and facilitated by their student Baraza Leaders. They debated at the Oxford Union, gave eloquent Keynotes and After Dinner Speeches in in their Colleges, sang and danced at a Masked Ball and delivered a wonderful variety of performances and speeches at Opening and Closing Ceremonies in the Sheldonian Theatre. As every contributor stepped up for their moment in the spotlight, they were supported and cheered on by their peers.

“Round Square Inspiring Voices was an incredible experience that has allowed me to learn, explore, and interact with people from different viewpoints and cultures,” said a student delegate from Colegio Gran Bretaña in Colombia. “I have learned how to form arguments, I have been in heated debates that have changed my way of thinking, and I have learned from people who live in different realities.​…This was an incredible experience that allowed everyone to improve their leadership, communication, and public speaking skills.”

A student from The Shri Ram School, Moulsari in India also felt that the opportunity to share perspectives was a big take-away. They told us “I got an insight into other peoples cultures and how what one might take for granted, be a privilege for the other. The experience also taught me how to be more independent and talk- sharing my opinion on global topics. This has a profound impact as now I have built the skill to talk in such a way that people would be engaged in hearing me. I learnt to respect diversity and the fact that there is unity in diversity.”

Before the debates began, participants were asked to each cast a vote for or against 18 debate motions. The results were then used as a baseline from which to compare the outcome of voting at the end of each debate. The comparison was fascinating, and demonstrated an important point about the power of voice.

“These days when someone talks about being an influencer, they are usually talking about curated Instagram feeds, viral TikToks, and YouTube personalities, but we want students to really understand that the power to influence isn’t just an online phenomenon,” says Round Square Chief Executive, Rachael Westgarth. “On social platforms success is often fleeting, measured in likes and shares, and mass appeal, but since long before the digital age, the most profound impact has been made not through posts, but through speech. A person’s ability to captivate and inspire others with their voice, their communication skills as an orator, their inventiveness as a public speaker, and their courage to stand in front of an audience and move hearts with words—these are the skills of the original influencer. It’s about the ability to connect authentically, inspire action, and leave an imprint on your audience, and this deeply human ability can only really be cultivated in-person and through practice.”

Every debate produced a movement in opinion between the pre-vote and the outcome on the day. In every case, people thought differently after hearing the debate than they did before. The smallest movement was just 1% and the largest was a shift of almost 50%. On nine of the debates the opinion in the room moved more than 20% between the pre and post debate vote.

One significant shift in opinion was on the question of whether the UN Sustainable Development Goals to eradicate poverty and hunger were the most difficult to achieve due to lack of community engagement in those issues globally. The exit vote shifted by 37% in favour of the opposition, compared to the online baseline vote, so more than 17% of the people in the room went from agreeing with this statement before the debate to disagreeing after. On the question of whether Cancel Culture has become a weaponised form of freedom of speech, there was a 42% shift in favour of the Opposition, so 21 percent of the people in the room changed from agreeing with this statement before, to disagreeing once they had heard the debate.

For delegates, this was a powerful demonstration that in a matter of minutes, they can bring about a significant shift in opinion with the power of their voice: It is possible to influence how people think, feel, behave, and vote, and it’s possible to change people’s minds enough to turn a no into a yes or vice versa. At the same time, this perhaps demonstrated how susceptible we are to persuasion, but, more importantly, that we make clearer, better-informed decisions when we are in possession of some, facts and a greater understanding of the different sides to the argument.

Democracy is one of the Round Square IDEALS, and robust discussion and debate is an important, core activity across the Round Square community. It encourages critical thinking, active listening, and the capacity to engage with ideas that differ from our own. In a world increasingly shaped by polarisation and echo chambers, debate serves as a tool to bridge divides, challenge assumptions, and foster international understanding. It’s not about winning an argument, but about refining perspectives and testing the strength of belief against reasoned opposition. 

Whether negotiating in the workplace, advocating for change, or simply navigating everyday conversations, those who can engage in constructive disagreement are better equipped to lead and influence. Debate cultivates confidence and tenacity, and teaches us to separate ideas from identity, allowing for respectful dialogue even in moments of deep disagreement. In a time when public discourse often favours noise over nuance, the ability to debate thoughtfully is not just valuable, but essential.