Who are we?
We’re a group dedicated to creating a debating culture in Denmark. Danish Debate Association started out in 2016 as the Nordic Schools Debating Championship. We brought over 200 high school students from all over the world to compete in an annual tournament, which has since become second Europe’s largest.
Danish Debate Association exists to create and facilitate a debating culture in Denmark.
We want to see students in most Danish schools and universities have access to and participate it in debate training, practice, and competition.
- 20+ volunteers
- Former National Debate Team members
- University students in Copenhagen, Oxford, London, and Cambridge
Today, many of our volunteers are former members of the Danish National Debate Team.
But what brings all of us together as a non-profit organisation is our appreciation for the value of learning to debate well—critical thinking, intellectual humility, structured thought, public speaking, effective teamwork, friendship, and more.
This is why we consider it a missed opportunity that Denmark lacks broad awareness of competitive debating. So, since 2018, we’ve been working on changing that.
Our Board
Laura Serafine Pilmark
President
Kshitij Aggarwal
Treasurer
Martha Johanne Schou
Board Member
Dhairya Sanghavi
Board Member
Emmeli Rose Adler
Board Member
Kristian Lindved Jensen
Board Member
Rasmus Schade
Board Member
Laura Serafine Pilmark
Laura manages the day-to-day operations of our society, she runs the debate club at Copenhagen Business School and regularly teaches debate to students of all ages. Laura is an active debater herself and has competed several times at large international competitions, such as the European Championships and World Championships.
Laura is pursuing her master’s degree at Copenhagen Business School in Strategy, Organization and Leadership.
“Debating helps students grow academically, professionally and personally. It is a direct path to knowledge, societal engagement and strong social connections. I hope all students will eventually get to try this.”
Kshitij Aggarwal
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Martha Johanne Schou
Martha began debating when they was selected for the Junior National Team in 2020, and continued on to the national team where they top spoke several tournaments and represented Denmark at the 2022 World Championships. Martha is also the Team Manager and Head Coach of the Danish national team. In addition to coaching, Martha has judged several international tournaments, including the World Championship.
Day-to-day Martha studies International Business and Politics at CBS.
“Teaching debate is about helping the students understand how to make their ideas and beliefs into persuasive statements that can affect change – It is a truly rewarding process.”
Dhairya Sanghavi
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Emmeli Rose Adler
Emmeli has been part of DDA since its very foundation. Emmeli is an avid judge and has judged at the European University Debate Championships. Her most significant contribution to DDA is her organisational skills, which she has proven by organising several tournaments and by her commitment to establish strong social ties in the DDA community, i.e., through Christmas parties, regular social events for our beloved members, and during the pandemic; online events.
Emmeli has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Market Dynamics and Cultural Analysis. She works as a Marketing Coordinator at Núnoo bags.
“I believe I have learned more about global politics and rhetoric by debating that I ever did in social science or English. In my opinion, it should be mandatory for all students to be trained in speaking the matters of their hearts constructively and fruitfully”
Kristian Lindved Jensen
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Rasmus Schade
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