Beyond 8’s Samvaada promotes constructive disagreement among learners
Bengaluru : Beyond 8 has concluded its two-day learning programme, Samvaada: Debate to Understand, aimed at encouraging students to engage with differing viewpoints through debate, listening and reflection.
Held on August 24 and 25 at the Beyond 8 Learning Centre in Koramangala, the programme brought together learners from different schools and backgrounds. Unlike conventional debate formats that primarily focus on winning an argument, Samvaada encouraged participants to understand an opposing perspective before responding.
The programme placed equal emphasis on listening, questioning, critical thinking and reflection, with students encouraged to examine their own assumptions and remain open to changing their views.
The two-day event began with a workshop and participant briefing, followed by several preliminary debate rounds. After reflection and deliberations by judges, participants progressed through cross-group qualifier rounds before the third-place debate and the final round on the second day.
The organisers said the interaction between students from different backgrounds helped participants understand different communication styles, work across differences and identify areas of common ground.
The initiative also sought to address the changing way young people communicate and form opinions in an increasingly digital environment. With social media providing platforms for instant expression, the programme emphasised the importance of listening carefully, engaging respectfully with disagreement and considering multiple perspectives.
“Education cannot only be about giving learners the confidence to speak. It must also give them the maturity to listen, the curiosity to question and the humility to acknowledge that they may not always have the complete answer,” said Raaji Naveen, Co-founder of Beyond 8.
She added that learning to disagree without dismissing another person develops skills that extend beyond the classroom and help young people participate more meaningfully in society.
Reflection was an integral part of the programme. Students were encouraged to consider how their understanding changed during the discussions, which viewpoints challenged their assumptions and what lessons they would carry forward.
According to Beyond 8, Samvaada is part of its broader learning approach that seeks to develop confidence, agency, critical thinking and thoughtful engagement among learners.
The programme concluded with an emphasis on creating learning environments where students can express their ideas confidently while remaining willing to reconsider their positions when presented with compelling arguments and alternative perspectives.