The Poetic Debaters Project, Brand New for #OneFromTheArchives

I'm going to let the video in this archival post speak for itself. This is a project close to my heart...🧡

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PoetIc Debaters Manifesto Conceived 2007.

I have been a-brewing a project that I have a deep connection to and I think it’s because it involves all the geeky things that I love to do behind closed doors – reading for research, writing for passion, engagement and education. And I must add devising for performance to invigorate and inspire.

It has been a project nearly seven years in the devising, structuring and branding, and so far I have delivered several independent call-out group versions of the project and two schools programs.

Watch the PDP Promotion film by Juliette Dalton, 2Dice Productions.

The original idea for the project was to develop a methodology that activated young minds into further engagement with important polemics and equality issues in the world around them. I found it after much mind-mapping. The model revealed itself as being flexible and adaptable to raise awareness for any cause with strong social justice agendas. Ultimately, this is a program about truth-seeking and raising awareness. PDP was originally supported by Pop Festival of Stories, English PEN and The Poetry Society.

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Blog Moment... May 12th, 2014.

"The Poetic Debaters T-shirts have arrived. Hooray! Logo designed by Zena Edwards

It was great to work with fellow Poet and polemic conversationlist, Sam Berkson to co-facilitate and deliver Poetic Debaters with Barbican Young Poets, SHAKE! and Slambassadors‘ mentees.

Poetic Debaters Pop Up Festval Fpr Children Iron Bridge: Angelina Chudi | Greer Dewdney | Sam Berkson | Gabriel Akamo | Russeni Fisher | Zena Edwards | Orla Price | Ruth Bertulis-Fernandes | Lana Bell

Dylan Caulder from Pop Up Festival For Children is a much valued supporter of PDP to. as is Joelle Taylor from Slambassadors and Louise Swan from PEN International. I really appreciated their energy and vision for it.

Click to Zoom. in Castle View and Cornelius Vermuyden Schools, 2014. Listen to their poems below

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I had just finished my Silver Arts Award training, I was ready to deliver a whole program to schools and education institutes who have the Arts Award as part of their curriculum.

Poetic Debaters is an exciting and dynamic project because of its potential to reach and empower many young minds, providing them think-tank spaces to explore, and a electric platform for their voices.

With a strong poetry and debate strategising framework, there is creative space to have fun working in imaginative teams. The writing they created has inspire and enlivened audiences doing something they love, which, in turn, gave them confidence.

Very soon I shall be rolling out a facilitators package of training for PDP. Yet another exciting development in the projects life.

~Zena~