By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), has embarked on a journey to Washington D.C., USA, where he will attend the 5th International Debate Best Practices Symposium. The event is scheduled to take place from September 20 to 22, 2023.
The symposium is a collaborative effort of Debates International, The Commission on Presidential Debates, and the National Democratic Institute (NDI). It serves as a platform for both new and seasoned members of the Debates International network from around the world to exchange insights on the organization and production of candidate debates, including common challenges and solutions.
Nasralla, who is also the Chairman of the National Political Debates Committee (NPDC) in Sierra Leone, will not only share his experiences but also contribute as a commentator in a panel discussion titled ‘Building a Debate Culture – Experiences with Non-Election Debates’. He will be joined by other panelists from The Gambia, Malawi, Honduras, and Mexico.
Speaking about the event, Nasralla said, “This is a great opportunity to share the experience of the NPDC in organizing presidential and non-candidates debates, and learn from organizations in other parts of the world as we strive to build a culture of debate and issue-based dialogue in our body politic in Sierra Leone.”
The NDI is sponsoring Nasralla’s trip, and he is expected to return to Sierra Leone in about a month. This international exposure is anticipated to further enrich the debate culture in Sierra Leone, contributing to the growth of issue-based dialogue in the country’s political landscape.
