Oeiras Pole Communication, Events and Partnerships Office (NCEP)

The Técnico Debate Club launches a series of talks with public figures to encourage civic participation among the student community.

The Técnico Debate Club, a new autonomous section of the Técnico Students’ Union (AEIST), aims to promote a culture of debate and encourage civic participation among the student community. The club has initiated a series of talks titled “À Conversa Com…,” inviting prominent figures from public life to share their experiences and discuss current issues with Técnico students.

The creation of the club stemmed from the desire to establish “an informal space for sharing knowledge and stories from esteemed personalities in civil society, politics, or culture, accessible to the student community at Instituto Superior Técnico”, explains Afonso Barroco, vice-president of the Técnico Debate Club and a Técnico alumnus. Guests from various sectors of national political life have already participated in these talks, including a debate prior to the parliamentary elections that featured representatives of political parties with parliamentary representation.

“These sessions primarily aim to foster a culture of debate and critical thinking among Técnico students, promote civic involvement and interdisciplinarity, and connect students with key issues of our time”, emphasises Afonso Barroco.

The Técnico Debate Club organises events that cover a wide range of topics. “While our upcoming event calendar will focus on local and national politics for reasons of general interest, we intend to explore diverse thematic areas, including sports, finance, education, and culture,” he adds.

One of the club’s central missions is to promote the link between Técnico and Portuguese public life. “From António Guterres to Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo, and historic figures in Portuguese democracy like Adelino Amaro da Costa and Roberto Carneiro, Técnico has a significant presence in various sectors of public life”, recalls Afonso Barroco, emphasizing a legacy that the club ‘intends to honour’.

After the inaugural session featuring Luís Marques Mendes, which focused on the presidential elections, and Alexandra Leitão, a candidate for Lisbon Mayor, the club’s calendar includes additional confirmed sessions. Upcoming events include “À Conversa com Nuno Piteira Lopes,” a candidate for the Cascais City Council on 30 May, and “À Conversa com Vasco Lourenço,” an April Captain, on 11 June. All events are free to attend.