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Seeing young people engage in constructive debate has given me hope that a more civic-minded generation is possible.
Jorge E. Rincón Torres /
Impact Partnerships Manager, LATAM
I’ve been fortunate to have opportunities that my parents didn’t have. Thanks to my parents’ determination and courage to move to Bogotá in search of a better life, I became one of the first professionals in my family.
Through my mother’s example, I learned how opportunities can transform people’s lives, and that has always guided me.
I studied in a military school where we didn’t learn public speaking, argumentation, or how to express ideas. When I entered university, I joined the Debate Society at Universidad del Rosario.
helpingIt is one of the top debate teams in both Spanish and English in the world, so getting in was a huge achievement — it gave me access to a network of talented peers and professors who taught me tools like argumentation, refutation, and analysis through different debate formats. That completely changed my life.
I represented my university around the world, competing and winning tournaments, even serving as a chief judge in Spanish and English.
At first, it was really tough. I lost many tournaments. But over time, I developed my own criteria and improved my skills.
My girlfriend, who came from a background in Model UN, was also part of the Debate Society.
I realized that debate was a tool for empowerment. If students in schools, especially public ones, had access to these skills, they could believe in themselves and express their ideas with confidence.
helpingTogether with a group of friends, we started a volunteering project, teaching workshops on argumentation, refutation, and organizing small debate tournaments. This became what today is Debate al Cole.
Many schools in Colombia face issues like bullying, poor classroom climate, anxiety, and depression.
When we started, we thought the biggest challenge would be convincing principals or teachers, but they actually supported us from the start. The real challenge was gaining the trust and motivation of the students.
helpingThrough debate, we’ve helped students build confidence, express themselves more freely, and discuss important topics they normally couldn’t address in class. Debate is not only about speaking; it’s about healing, connecting, and transforming how young people relate to each other.
Over time, Debate al Cole has evolved into a broader educational movement. Our goal is to strengthen a national network of volunteers and train teachers to use debate as a pedagogical tool.
helpingWe’re now developing AI-based educational resources to make learning more engaging and accessible for students. Our biggest challenge is capturing young people’s attention through dynamic, tech-driven learning experiences that expand beyond physical spaces into digital and virtual ones.
Public school teachers even raised money through raffles, food sales, and fairs to make our workshops and tournaments possible—proof of their commitment and belief in the project’s value.
Debate al Cole has been supported by local teachers, international organizations, and NGOs. While we began with no formal funding, we secured resources through grants, calls for proposals, and volunteer work.
helpingToday, Debate al Cole works with more than 30 schools across Colombia, training teachers who then bring debate into their classrooms. We use competitive formats like British Parliamentary and World Schools, and our network has expanded to over 150 volunteers in the main cities of the country.
Debate al Cole was honored by
Forbes 30 Under 30 Colombia 2025
helpingWe’ve trained countless teachers and students, but the most meaningful impact lies in the personal transformations we’ve witnessed. Many of our students have pursued higher education, earned scholarships, and gained the confidence to build their own projects and careers.
helpingSome have even accessed top universities and professional opportunities that once felt out of reach. For us, giving young people the tools to pursue their dreams — seeing them grow, lead, and transform their communities — is the greatest success of all.
One of the most inspiring parts of working on Debate al Cole is supporting and strengthening the incredible work teachers do every day. Their job is truly monumental — shaping the minds and lives of so many students. Teachers are the true heroes.
helpingAs humans, we’ve lost the ability to truly listen and to disagree respectfully without crossing into conflict or violence. Dialogue is the foundation of coexistence and democracy. Seeing young people learn to express their ideas, respect others’ perspectives, and engage in constructive debate has given me hope that a more tolerant and civic-minded generation is possible.
helpingIn a world where even our political leaders often fail to lead by example in dialogue, Debate al Cole has strengthened my conviction that education in critical thinking and empathy can transform societies and build the foundations for stronger democracies.
My social work and my job are deeply connected. I’ve found in inDrive a space that truly reflects how I want to challenge social injustice.
helpingThat means a lot to me — I’ve learned so much from an incredibly skilled and inspiring team, surrounded by people who are forward-thinking and genuinely committed to making a global impact. I feel very grateful and proud to contribute to a company that puts purpose at the center of everything.
