Ulaanbaatar
The 10th National “Future to Remember and Proclaim” Karl Popper Debate Competition Commences
Society
Ulaanbaatar, February 7, 2025 /MONTSAME/. On February 6, 2025, the Opening Ceremony of the 10th National “Future to Remember and Proclaim” Karl Popper Debate Competition for high school students was held at the State Palace of Mongolia. The debate competition was jointly organized by the Parliamentary Research and Development Institute of the Secretariat of the State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia, the Mongolian Karl Popper Debate Society, and the Otgontenger University of Mongolia.
Secretary General of the State Great Khural Baasandorj Barsuren delivered opening remarks, noting, “Mongolia celebrated the 100th anniversary of the First Constitution and Proclamation of the Mongolian People’s Republic in 2024. So, this year’s Karl Popper Debate is held under the theme “Future to Remember and Proclaim.” On November 26, 1924, 77 delegates from Mongolia’s aimags and People’s Army gathered for the First State Great Khural, adopting the First Constitution and proclaimed the Mongolian People’s Republic.” The original version of the First Constitution is kept at the National Archives of Mongolia. The adoption of the First Constitution replaced the monarchy with the people’s government, establishing an elective system of governance, enshrining certain progressive provisions on human rights and freedoms, and officially proclaiming the Mongolian People’s Republic.”
Secretary General of the State Great Khural Baasandorj Barsuren also shared an interesting fact that, 100 years ago, during the drafting and adoption of the Constitution, Mongolia’s forebears deliberated on the rights of children, including education, and added a provision declaring that every child has the right to an education. Since 1924, Mongolia has continuously developed and refined the structure, text, content, and quality of its Constitution. Disseminating constitutional knowledge is critical in enhancing citizens’ legal literacy, reinforcing democracy, and protecting human rights. Consequently, the primary goal of the “Future to Remember and Proclaim” Karl Popper Debate Competition is to nurture citizens who understand their Constitution and actively safeguard a democratic society and parliamentary governance.
Over the course of three days, a total of 128 teams will debate eight pressing social issues, including “Whether to lower the voting age,” “The best approach to reducing the use of electronic cigarettes,” “Use of artificial intelligence by Members of Parliament,” and “Raising children through strict discipline,” among others.
