Join us in elevating public discourse and strengthening democracy.
Change Starts Here
The National Debate Center is a proposed project rooted in a simple but urgent idea: our democracy is stronger when people have a place to engage seriously with differing views. At a time of rising polarization and declining trust, the United States would benefit from a dedicated national forum where ideas can be tested, assumptions challenged, and common understanding advanced.
Your Questions,
Answered
Where will the National Debate Center be located?
Although no single location has yet been determined, we are actively evaluating several potential sites in Washington, DC for the future home of the National Debate Center.
Who will use the National Debate Center?
In addition to hosting presidential and other federal debates, the National Debate Center would serve a broad range of educational, civic, and policy-focused organizations working on issues important to the American people. Potential users include national speech and debate organizations, college and high school debate teams, think tanks and other opposing expert groups, media and civic forums, and international institutions.
Who will pay for the National Debate Center?
The National Debate Center would ideally be funded through a public-private partnership, with capital support for the building potentially coming from government sources and ongoing operations supported through donors, institutional partners, earned revenue, and other private contributions. This model is broadly consistent with the way major civic institutions such as the National Mall and the National Constitution Center are supported.
Is there anything I can do to help?
Yes! We welcome the support of volunteers and engaged citizens who are willing to help advance this effort, including by contacting their elected representatives in support of the project. Please register your name below and let us know how you believe you can contribute to helping make the National Debate Center a reality.
Key Features
Exceptional Sound Quality
The National Debate Center would be designed with advanced acoustical engineering to deliver exceptional sound quality throughout the venue. Premium audio systems and seating equipped with headphone jacks would allow participants to listen with clarity and use headphones if preferred.
High-Definition Presentation Screens
The debate stage would feature large high-definition presentation screens that allow participants to enhance their arguments with visual materials. These screens would also support video conferencing, enabling international and other remote debaters to participate from off-site locations.
Premium Seating with Electronic Audience Participation.
The National Debate Center would feature state-of-the-art seating designed to provide exceptional comfort throughout each event. Seats would also incorporate electronic polling and audience participation technology, creating a more interactive experience and helping illustrate how audience views evolve over the course of a debate.
Live Streaming and Online Archive.
Events would be livestreamed to enable broad public access and remote participation. They would also be recorded and maintained in a searchable online archive on the National Debate Center’s website, allowing users to revisit past debates and explore them by topic, question, and other advanced filters.
Free and Open to the Public.
The National Debate Center would be fully free and open to the public. Its website would provide an events schedule and a digital ticketing system, making it easy for visitors to plan ahead and attend programs throughout the year.
Multiple Rooms and Flexible Debate Configurations.
Speech, discussion, debate, and dialogue can take many different forms. The National Debate Center would feature a range of rooms and stage configurations designed to support diverse event formats, including one-on-one debates, team debates, panel discussions, and group exchanges.
Training and Education.
The National Debate Center would provide both in-person and online courses in debate and public speaking, offering world-class educational opportunities to all who seek to strengthen their debate, research, and public speaking skills.
Museum and Outdoor Gathering Space.
The National Debate Center would include an interactive on-site museum dedicated to the history of debate, especially the defining debates and artifacts that have shaped American civic life. The surrounding grounds would feature an elegant outdoor environment designed to foster thoughtful conversation and the exchange of ideas.
Our Team
Christopher Paul Carney
FounderChristopher Carney is an attorney and public policy professional with experience in law, trade, government relations, and public advocacy. His background reflects a commitment to serious public dialogue, thoughtful leadership, and building institutions that strengthen civic life.
e. christopher.carney@nationaldebatecenter.org
Co-FounderDouglas Wentz
Douglas Wentz is a retired attorney, writer, and public speaker with a longstanding commitment to ethical government, civic discourse, and the importance of debate in American democracy. His work draws on decades of legal experience and public engagement.
e. doug.wentz@nationaldebatecenter.org
Please Stay in Touch
“Without debate, without criticism, no administration and no country can succeed – and no republic can survive.”
-President John F. Kennedy
