27 October 2025
Bilbao Campus
On Saturday 25 October, the University of Deusto held the final of the 25th Brother Gárate Academic Debate League at the Gernika Assembly Hall, an emblematic venue that stands for dialogue, coexistence and democratic values. The choice of venue was no coincidence; it marked the 25th anniversary of the League, and the aim was to find a setting that would frame the celebration and reflect the values promoted by the competition — encouraging critical thinking, reasoning, and active citizenship through words and debate.
Around a hundred students from six universities — Deusto, Pontificia Comillas, ESADE, the University of the Balearic Islands, CEU Cardenal Herrera, and San Agustín Hall of Residence in Santiago de Compostela — took part in three days of debate on the question: "Do the actions of the State of Israel in Palestine since 7 October 2023 constitute genocide?" The topic allowed participants to analyse a complex international conflict, with particular focus on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and to consider different perspectives as well as ethical and humanitarian dimensions, encouraging reflection on human rights, responsibility, and global justice. To support this reflection, students benefited from two in-person presentations on Friday by experts in the field: Uruguayan-Israeli political scientist Alberto Spektorowski and researcher Imad Alsoos.
After five qualifying rounds, two teams reached the final in Gernika, demonstrating a high level of analysis and argumentation. The Deusto 1 team, fmade up of Business Administration and Law students Lorea Alonso, Jon Rodríguez, Naroa de Pedro, Lucas Gonzalo, and Haizene Gangoiti, were ultimately the winners. The runners-up were ESADE, comprising Lucía Domínguez, Xabier Ciriza, Xiomara Martín, and Valentín Cáceres, while the award for “Best Speaker” was presented to Antonio Platero Comesaña, captain of the San Agustín Hall of Residence team from Santiago de Compostela.
Debate, a school of citizenship and ethics
The President of the Biscay Provincial Council, Ana Otadui Biteri, gave the institutional welcome, emphasising that “spaces like this are essential for educating citizens who can engage in dialogue, listen, and build solutions through respect and collaboration”.
For his part, Rector Juan José Etxeberria emphasised in his speech that university debate is not just about winning arguments, but about exercising reason without losing compassion and seeking the truth without dehumanising others. "At the University of Deusto we believe that debate is not a public speaking competition, but a school of citizenship. It teaches us to think critically, listen with empathy, and commit to truth and justice. Today, as you take part in debate, you bear witness to the value of words over violence, dialogue over imposition, and listening over indifference. In a time of polarisation, debate is a way to build community through respect,” he noted.
In addition, Etxeberria connected this experience to the mission of the University and of the Society of Jesus, which this year marks the 50th anniversary of Decree 4 of the 32nd General Congregation: "Faith and justice, word and action, thought and commitment: all of this comes together in a space where university students learn to engage in dialogue to transform the world."
The day concluded with a group photo in front of the Gernika Tree, a symbol of peace, dialogue, and coexistence, bringing to a close an edition that reaffirms the University of Deusto’s commitment to holistic education, reconciliation, justice, and the development of a critical and engaged citizenship.
