Special Debates
Special event with Bill Clinton
The Doha Debates have become the Middle East’s forum of choice for a number of prominent statesmen. Our Special events – which feature Q & A sessions with a single guest - have given audiences an unprecedented opportunity to quiz high-level international and regional politicians first-hand.
Participants have included Bill Clinton, Shimon Peres, Amre Moussa and Ayad Allawi.
Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, was also invited to a Special in 2006 and spoke beforehand of his reasons for accepting.
“With the perception of a growing division between the West and the Muslim world being fuelled by misunderstanding and sharp rhetoric from both sides, I welcome the chance to participate in a forum that provides an important channel for open dialogue in the region. I commend this initiative of the Qatar Foundation and look forward to contributing to a better understanding of some of the divisive issues that plague our world.”
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Monday, May 24 2010Comedy special: This House believes women are superior to men
Azhar Usman, FORMOTION PASSED by 67% to 33%
Carrie Quinlan, AGAINST
Maysoon Zayid, FOR
Robin Ince, AGAINST
Broadcast: 29-30 May, 2010
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Monday, March 15 2010Doha Debates Special Event: Hamas meets Fatah
In a unique public encounter senior members of Hamas and Fatah were brought together to discuss their political differences and views on reconciliation. Members of the audience were given the opportunity to question both sides and vote on the question "Do you have confidence in the current Palestinian leaders?"
Nabil Shaath, PLO chief negotiatorMOTION REJECTED by 11% to 89%
Mohammad Nazzal, Spokesperson, Hamas political bureau AGAINST
Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of political committee, Palestinian Legislative Council
Osama Hamdan, Hamas representative in Lebanon
Broadcast: 20-21 March, 2010
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Tuesday, May 27 2008Doha Debates Special Event with senior Hamas official, Dr. Mahmoud Al Zahar
Dr. Al Zahar was questioned by both Tim Sebastian and members of the audience, including Palestinian students, on the feud with rival Palestinian group Fatah and the prospects for peace.
Broadcast: 7-8 June, 2008
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Wednesday, October 31 2007Doha Debate Special Event: former Iraqi Interim Prime Minister, Dr. Ayad Allawi
Dr Allawi was questioned by both Tim Sebastian and members of the audience at Qatar Foundation, many of whom were themselves Iraqi, on the current situation in Iraq and his potential return to power.
MOTION REJECTED
Broadcast: 3-4 November, 2007
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Tuesday, January 30 2007Doha Debate Special Event: Shimon Peres
In the first high-ranking Israeli visit to Qatar in more than a decade, Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres was questioned by students at a Doha Debates Special event.
Broadcast: 3-4 February, 2007
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Sunday, October 29 2006Doha Debate Special Event: Amre Moussa
Doha Students questioned the head of the Arab League, Amre Moussa, on the hottest issues affecting the Arab world today.
Broadcast: 4-5 November, 2006
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Thursday, March 30 2006Doha Debates Special Event: Dr. ElBaradei
During the third Doha Debates Special in March 2006, the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, told the world to 'calm down' in the face of mounting international pressure on Iran.
In response to questions from Doha's students, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assured the public there is no imminent threat from Tehran. However, he did say that Iran had a 'confidence deficit' and needed to be more transparent and cooperative with the IAEA.
Broadcast: 15-16 April, 2006
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Tuesday, February 28 2006Doha Debates Special Event: Extremism
The issue of how to combat extremism and improve relations between the West and Muslim world was the topic of the second Doha Debates Special in February 2006.
The Special was part of the Doha meeting of the United Nations' Alliance of Civilizations. Four guest speakers, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Professor John Esposito and Diana Buttu, answered questions from the student audience.
Broadcast: 18-19 March 2006
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Wednesday, November 16 2005Doha Debates Special Event: Bill Clinton
Former US President Bill Clinton was the guest for the first Doha Debate Special, which was held in November 2005. The theme of the event was 'the demands of leadership' where President Clinton spoke with the students about his time in the White House.
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