The Path to the IPPF Finals: Students Confront Education Policy on a Global Stage

August 1, 2025  — The Brewer Foundation / NYU International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) is launching its 2025-26 competition, and this year, high school students from around the globe will wrestle with one of the most consequential public policy challenges of our time: how to ensure universal access to a quality education.

This year’s resolution is: “Resolved: The Group of 20 Nations should levy a global education tax equal to 1% of each member country's gross domestic product to establish a dedicated international organization that supports the provision of universal, free, quality primary and secondary education.”

Open to All High School Students

The IPPF welcomes all high school students — both debaters and non-debaters alike. Whether you’ve spent years in competitive debate or are just discovering your passion for ideas, this is your opportunity to grapple with a public policy question that sits at the intersection of economics, international relations, and education.

How the Contest Works

The competition begins with written arguments. Every team must register and then submit a 3,000-word qualifying round essay affirming or negating the IPPF resolution. Essays are due by noon CDT on October 15, 2025. Judges evaluate each essay, and the top 64 teams advance into a single-elimination, written debate competition.

In the top 64 round, schools volley papers back and forth via e-mail. Judges review the essays in the order they are presented (affirmative constructive, negative constructive, affirmative rebuttal, negative rebuttal) and select the advancing teams. The process continues until the "Elite Eight" teams are named.

The Finals in New York City

In March, the final eight teams will be announced. These "Elite Eight" teams will travel, as guests of the Brewer Foundation, to New York City to compete in a series of oral debates, held at NYU School of Law on April 18, 2026. They will argue their cases before a distinguished panel of judges — leaders in law, education, and public policy — competing for the championship title and international recognition.

Think you have what it takes? Register to compete today at www.ippfdebate.com/register.